Our clients’ beautiful Cape Cod home on the shores of Lake Michigan hadn’t had significant landscape work done since its construction in the early 90s, so there was lots to do. Luckily, existing mature conifers and understory trees, as well as a magnificent horse chestnut, provided structure in the garden. The shimmering lake presence served as a constant backdrop to our work.
Significant hardscape additions included installing an exposed aggregate driveway (with radiant heat for winter snow control); widening the entry way and extending the existing granite boulder seat walls out further from the house; installing a sizable pond and circular deck surrounded by 25 tons of aqua blue boulders; lining the property with custom cedar fencing, trellis structures and benches; and planting the site with an array of conifers, birch, aspen, deciduous shrubs, perennials, bulbs and water plants. Connecting the planting beds were patios and paths of full-range bluestone surrounding the home.
At night, low-voltage lighting throughout the grounds illuminates trees, structures and pathways. Submerged pond lights bring life to the water after dark. And the winds which surge off the lake blow wildly through the trees, creating ever-changing light displays and shifting shadows.
