Project Overview
Project Details
- Project Type: Small Space Design Solutions
- Project Budget: $3,000 – $5,000
- Key Words: Natural Slate Patio, Hot Tub Pad, Garden Space
Our clients required a maintenance free landscape option that enhanced the aesthetics of their small backyard space.
The current landscape was comprised of a series of grey concrete landscape pavers used to create a patio surface and foundation support for hot tub. The pavers were different sizes creating an uneven surface and had been painted resulting in different surface conditions and colours. Although small formal gardens existed they were in disrepair and showing no signs of any living plants.
Key Design Features
- Replace the current engineered elements in the hardscape with natural slate and rock aggregate.
- Construct new foundation pad for hot tub and integrate into the patio.
- Create new garden areas planted with hardy perennial flowering shrubs.
Hardscaping
Our clients desired a new patio surface that was constructed of natural materials such as slate or flagstone to remind them of the surrounding Fernie area while enjoying their backyard. Natural slate has a unique look and beauty as no two pieces are the same. It is very strong and will not fade over time. For this project, we selected a slate product from the Kimberley area which has a uniform thickness and highlighted with a variety of colors due to the minerals within.
They requested that the foundation supporting the hot tub be replaced. Our team created a 8’x8′ pad constructed of a new compacted subbase supporting new paver slabs. The natural slate was cut into the hot tub foundation providing a look that it ran continually under the hot tub.
Planting
The canopy from the mature trees and an east facing sun exposure result in very little sunlight exposure. Our team was able to build the new beds in strategic locations to maximize the available sunlight. The new beds where framed using small block natural stone as an edger. Fir mulch was installed in the gardens to keep the garden soil cool and moist. It also provides a pleasing fresh fragrance in the back yard.
Upon the conclusion of the project our client now has a maintenance free backyard landscape constructed with locally sourced aggregates and hardy plants. The value of their investment is realized every time they access the backyard; it remains as it was the day it was installed.
The value of their investment is realized every time they walk out into their back yard.
