We wanted a good place to share great projects and some of our expertise with our clients and the world at large, so when we put this new site together, it was important to us to include an awesome blog.
I hope you’ll take a moment to check out some of our posts. We can always be reached through the contact info at the bottom of the page, feel free to give us a call with any questions.
Here’s a before and after shot of a recent project we did in one of Portland’s lush old neighborhoods. We brought in hand-cut bluestone blocks to give the space a clean look and a pop of understated color– also they’ll serve to complement future gardening and planting projects.
We even prepared the soil in the surrounding planter space so the homeowner could start on his garden this summer.
We also installed a one-of-a-kind basalt column fire pit to add another unique touch and tie the space together with a functional focal point. As you can see in the detail shot below, each stone is unique– so each pit will have its own personality and distinctive look.
The natural finish on both the basalt and bluestone complement the classic look of the neighborhood but open up a real opportunity for the homeowner to inject some personality into their space.
Retaining walls are one of our our most frequent requests. Retaining wall projects are as diverse as it gets in landscaping. Many contractors and commercial clients request retaining walls to help create distinction between areas of their landscaping, or solve drainage and grading issues. However, the potential applications of a retaining wall extend far beyond these common purposes. A retaining wall has the ability to transform a backyard into an outdoor living space, and can be built to fit any style or color palette.
From the purely practical to the distinctly decorative, retaining walls can accomplish so much for any yard. Here are a few shots of retaining wall projects we’ve done, and a little bit of background into the goals of the projects.
This is a great example of a retaining wall that accomplishes a practical goal: this customer wanted us to develop their yard into a level space for an outdoor entertainment area, with a retaining wall that would also serve as additional seating. The pathway leading to the patio area also provided easier access from the driveway down to the back yard.
This project was actually developed to create a lower maintenance yard. Removing the grass here didn’t have to detract from the attractiveness of the front yard, and with the plantings of low maintenance shrubs and easy to care for perennials, the space actually looks very clean and contemporary. Accessing and caring for their sloped yard was difficult for this client, so we used these small retaining walls to help level things out and make the space pop.
Commercial clients need retaining walls too. This was one part of over 775 feet of walls created to help flatten lots for houses in a new subdivision. These are large blocks, 8″ tall and 18″ wide– the same blocks we use on engineered retaining walls that reach over 4 feet tall.
Permeable pavers are a fantastic option for homeowners looking to add value and premium curb appeal to their home with a paver driveway or patio.
These clever pavers allow water to pass through them. They are thicker and more durable than a typical paver. Permeable pavers require a deeper base layer of rock which doubles as a drainage solution. As water passes through this layer of rock, it’s naturally filtered and returned to the water table instead of running off to the storm drain down the street.
Around here, we get a lot of water. We take on many drainage projects, including planting and installation of various types of drain systems. Drainage is a concern for both commercial and residential clients, and drainage problems can cause significant (and costly) damage to any property.
Permeable pavers are an elegant product we’re installing a lot more of these days. They are a high-value, long-lasting, and attractive material, and that’s the stuff we love to work with and provide for our customers.
