Water possesses a magical ability to uplift spirits. Its soothing qualities can cleanse the soul, wash away anxieties, and create an all-around tranquil atmosphere. From the moment you enter this contemporary paradise and hear the quiet rustling of the trees and the gurgling of the water as it flows from the fountain, you are overcome with a calming sense of tranquility.
It’s a good thing some homeowners have vision. Otherwise this house in Kettering would still be sitting empty among weeds, a rotted stockade fence, overgrown brush, railroad steps, an unused pool and a whiskey barrel hot tub.
Dwight Goodin, BSLA, a landscape designer with Paver Planet, admits the area took him aback. “There was so much shade it was impossible to grow grass. It was an abandoned eyesore of gravel and rock,” he recalls. “It was a mess. You couldn’t even see the yard from the perimeter of the property.”
Fortunately the homeowners know what they like and what they don’t. “This homeowner has an exceptional understanding of detail and style, and is a huge fan of contemporary architecture,” he adds.
The homeowners had moved around a lot, finally getting their chance to put down roots in a suburban home. One thing they desired was a lawn. To accommodate the request, a crew installed 15,000 square feet of sod in the front yard alone as well as around the back patio.
One positive characteristic original to the property was a sunken patio off the kitchen and family room. Goodin’s team installed basalt stone pavers from Turkey then created a 4-foot vignette Japanese garden as an accent. Straight-lined planters and a raised fountain maintain privacy but still allow visitors to feel part of the landscape.
The basalt pavers have no joints, offer neutral color and clean lines consistent with the architecture of the house. “There’s a complete ninety-degree corner on the edge. They butt right up against each other,” Goodin says.
If not properly executed, contemporary styling can appear stark and uninviting. Along with the pavers, the three-stream fountain installed on the patio features a wood surface of board and batten redwood, a Frank Lloyd Wright-style addition. The wood base blends in with the overall design, but also sets off the fountain as the centerpiece of the patio.
“Even though there are such strong lines and intersecting angles, lawn spaces around the pavers soften the appearance,” Goodin says, adding that the rectangular reflecting pool on the top level creates an additional soothing touch.
Plans to redo the front of the house and driveway also required a major overhaul. The driveway was straightened and a dip was removed. The surrounding landscape was lifted and re-graded. Raised planting beds and a fountain greet the family and guests as they pull up to the garage.
The homeowners now have a great view from the front of their home and an enlarged driveway with room to maneuver and hold extra cars. “I didn’t realize what a huge task it would be,” says the homeowner.
But he and his wife also revel in the result on a daily basis, adding the beauty of the finished project is the way it serves their favorite style, and allows the house to nestle in natural beauty. “We had a difficult time finding a landscaper who could do a true modern home,” says the homeowner. “Dwight had a different eye. He always had a vision, and it turned out to be exactly what he drew.”