317Grow Blog
Read . Grow . Thrive
The owners of this property in the Meridian Kessler neighborhood of Indianapolis called us in to revitalize their limited outdoor space to turn it from some foundation plantings and lawn into a multi-purpose space that would bring their family outside and improve curb appeal. We completed this project in two phases: first we did a functional overhaul on the back yard, and then a few years later we dressed up the front yard to fit with the new style and feel of the re-vamped back yard.
When we first descended on this property we noticed the lack of personality and character in the landscape. The fire-pit seemed to have been merely dropped in the lawn of the yard and the decking didn’t naturally blend in with the home. Our client wanted a one of a kind space that not only reflected their personality but was functional as well as aesthetically appealing, the complete opposite of their existing space. Our team worked hard from the design phase to the construction phase in order to completely transform this outdoor space.
When approaching this architecturally beautiful home in the historic Meridian-Kessler neighborhood one thing stood out to us right away: the existing landscape did not match the character of the home. Our designers made it a goal to create a design that would not only enhance the architecture of the home but also create a sense of place and arrival. With the use of different forms, patterns, and symmetry we were able to create a landscape that worked well with the unique character of the home.
We pride ourselves in being able to make the best creative and functional use of small spaces, and this project in downtown Indianapolis really pushed us to our limits. At just 950 square feet, this may be the smallest back yard we have ever designed, and the front planting beds are even more limited. Our goal was to bring out the character of the house and the homeowners while getting the best use out of every square foot of horizontal and vertical space.
We approach all of our designs from an artistic perspective, but on this Herron Morton neighborhood project, we viewed the ground as our canvas for blocks of texture, color, shape, and even sound. As is typical in Indy’s near northside neighborhoods, space was tight, and all areas needed to be tightly managed to make the outdoor space as usable as possible while still making visual sense.
Summer may be ending, but with a well-designed landscape you can feel like you're on vacation all year long. At this house, what started as a call to replace some plantings around the house became a total redesign showcasing the creativity of our staff. They re-imagined the space in a way that not only created a unique and more attractive landscape, but also improved the functionality and maximized the limited back yard space.
We love this project because we feel it exemplifies our mission statement to a tee. This is the home of a young family who needed to simplify and update their outdoor spaces. The front had been long over-grown, and steps were starting to crumble. Almost the entire back yard was covered by a rapidly aging deck that was a major safety concern, and their young children needed a better space to play.
When we first arrived at this Zionsville property, the landscaping was cookie-cutter suburban with tame, traditional plant choices and bed lines. No personality, no different from the neighbors. Our client wanted something fresh and new with special attention the the back yard, so our team put together an idea that transformed their property from humdrum to eye-catching.
We see a whole range of styles, space use needs, and desired features, but everybody wants a place where they can feel relaxed and truly themselves with family and friends. This cozy, party-ready, backyard we installed in Carmel exemplifies that. The customer wanted her backyard to reflect who her family is, but the bland, traditional landscaping left by the builder was far from it. Once Amanda Thieman, our landscape designer, saw the inside of the home, she knew this was going to be a fun project.
We're well overdue for another featured project, so today we'll take a look at a home up in Carmel that epitomizes the trend towards fun and functional spaces for outdoor entertainment. The design includes a fire pit, fireplace, wet bar, grill, large screen TV, and outdoor dining space. The walk up to the front door passes under a canopy of river birch limbs. To the left, a mixture of hostas and hydrangeas showcase variety and interest in a monochromatic color scheme while the yews on the right will be shaped into a solid block to provide structure in the winter.
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