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DESIGN PORTFOLIO


""It will always be a pleasure to recommend your work to anyone looking for your skills. Our family and me in particular are in awe of the beauty of our yard. We owe that to your conscientious and dedicated work" -- C. K., Beaverton

Hillside Family Gathering Place


BEFORE:   This new construction home in Forest Heights backed up to a steep hillside that had been retained by a very large, loose boulder wall. The bank had begun to erode in the rain. Next to the house, a plain concrete slab had been poured in a partial semi-circle that was curved on one side, straight on the other. From this area there was also a lack of privacy due to the large houses on either side.

The homeowners wanted to be able to access their property all the way up to the top, and needed as much usable space as possible for their large family.
 


Before:
Eroding hillside, large house above


Before:
Boulder wall, existing partial patio.


Before: Bare concrete slab at back of house

AFTER:


"Thoroughly delighted! I can see your vision and love it. Thank you." ---M.C., Portland


After: The height of the original boulder wall is masked by the lower planter walls in front of it. The planters are filled with colorful perennial flowers and grasses, and a water feature stands in the center and provides a soothing sound.


Simple wooden steps lead up the side of the property to a children's play area. Hillside plantings cover the steep slope to create a colorful tapestry.
 


A seating area for adults at the top of the hill allows  a watchful eye on the play structure. As plantings grow in, the homeowners will enjoy more privacy here. Future plans call for this area to eventually become a secondary flagstone patio.

shade plantings include astilbes, hydrangea, and hostas




Shade plantings at the back of house for color:
Astilbe 'Fanaal', Hydrangea serrata 'Preziosa', hostas, and golden Japanese forest grass.

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Patricia Acheff, APLD
503-531-3947
contact@visionscapesnorthwest.com
Copyright 2008 by Visionscapes Northwest. All rights reserved.

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