Walking through a Stoneyard

Some sights from my half day walk through David Hochstetler’s layout a few days ago. New sandstone, old sandstone. Rescued sandstone curbing and walkways. Gate post galore. Great old troughs, and more. Creative Touch Landscape Supply is located on Kidron rd. Just north of Kidron, Ohio. Or just south of Ohio SR30. If you stop […]

Eisenhower Memorial is it the Right Memorial?

Key arts panel approves Eisenhower Memorial Big memorial in Washington DC gets built without a lot of controversy. Not a chance. Nope, no different this time for the planned/proposed memorial for Dwight D. Eisenhower. The President who led America through the “Happy Days” of the 1950’s and was in charge of the “Greatest Generation” during […]

My Pots, in the Winter Snow

The big snow we are getting today called me to action, grabbing the camera kind of action. Julie likes to refer to the pot on the left as the flying saucer. Add on the snow and I now believe it looks somewhat alien in appearance. I’d like to add that the flying saucer brings great […]

The Case of the Basement Bistro

I’ve been around the block. All the way around the block. At least I thought I had been all the way around the block . . . until now. Take a look at his image See those black holes in the concrete wall in the basement, yep . . . that’s right . . . […]

Fireplace Possibility

I am in the middle of a project where the main focus of the backyard will be a large fireplace that we hope to have anchor one end of the patio. The fireplace will anchor the end of the patio, and serve as the main gathering space for those on the patio, also becoming the […]

I’ve Run into a Brick Wall . . .

Of my own choosing. That’s right. This was my choice. I needed some strong physical divider between this terrace and the rest of the World. A separator that would not only knock out the view that direction, but would also stop others from peeking in. To top things this wall screamed aesthetics! . . . […]

Cast Iron Pots; Another Thought

I just want to clarify the size of those 3 pots that I had written about in the previous 2 posts. Two Previous Post The 1st post dealt with my finding these pots and a list of ideas on how they might even be used. The 2nd post was a synopsis of the 1st and […]

Cast Iron Pots; Revisited

Last week I posted about these iron pots that I had picked up at the local auction. [The pots in question. ] In the comment’s section Jonathan asked about the sizes of these pots this was my reply: I’d say they’re somewhere between 30″-36″ in diameter and a good 18″ deep. They are some good […]

What’s Andy Goldsworthy up to?

Found out that Mr. Goldsworthy has some new installations, and a couple on new shows going on. Here’s the lowdown. [Immediately tell it’s a Goldsworthy.] I thought this little nugget was quite interesting; For many people, Goldsworthy’s works with blood and excrement are disturbing. But the artist says he is only trying to reflect nature […]

“It’s all about high style and low maintenance,”

So I am searching along looking for info on outdoor living rooms and I run across this story in InsideBayArea.com that is about this very subject. This is a early paragraph: We want to hang out in our backyards, and those molded plastic chairs aren’t going to cut it anymore. We want comfort — big, […]

Sandstone Thoughts, continued

posted, 12/00/06 The steps from a wider angle: On 12/7 I posted a close-up of the stone steps, showing some of the detail. I was after a look of strong yet informal steps that led out on to the lawn. These steps are the only way to get from the parking court and upper terrace […]

Sandstone Thoughts

“Without discipline, there’s no life at all.” –Katherine Hepburn These steps were installed in 1989, and photo was taken in 2005.

Stone and Paver Walkway, Answers to Questions

posted, 12/04/06 This continues the story from Sundays post on The Appreciation of Stone. I’ve been asked a few questions and will attempt to answer them here: The stone and brick are not the same depth. The stone was placed 1st and the pavers were poured around the stone. The stone is a waste product […]

A Front Entry Fountain (3)

posted, 11/20/06 Color rendering: markers, colored pencils on yellow trace This rendering is another take on what we had discussed last week. Especially the talk about where does the fountain belong, or not belong. This rendering shows the fountain a little further up the sidewalk with a pergola area further behind and to the right. […]

The Importance of Hardscape Design (3)

posted, 11/04/06 The journey continues, from Yesterday Coming off of the Paver patio the walk through the garden continues on the sandstone walkway. To a bridge made of antique curbstone. Pond is on far right. Fire ring area is across the bridge and double waterfalls are on the left. That mound is artificial. It was […]