Designing Paradise: A Designers Vision Comes Home
by Kimerly L. Ho
What better way to answer questions about what is possible with landscaping and hardscaping than taking your years of experience as a landscape contractor and designer and bringing it home? That is precisely what Cory Snow of Cardinal Lawn Scapes did when he renovated his own back yard. Cory wanted a place where he and his family could year-round step into a vacation by simply opening their back door.
A complex design was chosen to convert his back yard into a low-maintenance multiple entertainment outdoor living space. An ornate full outdoor kitchen was envisioned, as well as patios, an outdoor fireplace, fire pit, and pool with a slide.
As Snow began this project he started with the area closest to his home, the outdoor kitchen. Natural stone was used on the walls, grill, and cabinet surrounds giving a rustic lightness to the area in the day as well as creating a “cozy” effect in the evening perfect for family dining. While working with Scott Stone, Snow designed the custom sandstone counter tops adding a durable elegance to the cut-out bar design and incorporating a dynamic lighting system inviting guests to sit and interact with whoever is in the kitchen.
The next area tackled was the patio and fireplace and pool. The most “challenging and rewarding” part of this outdoor wonderland makeover was the pool. Here is where beauty of the designer and his stone supplier truly shine. Cut from the side of a hill, literally sculpted from the mind of its maker.
A pool area rests surrounded by hand selected boulder benches and strategically placed accent boulders. Selection is the key and Snow knew that could be found at Scott Stone. One particular boulder was hand selected for thickness and size to create a custom diving board. The diving board rests on top of the bull nosed bluestone pool coping. Pool Coping is like the frame to a piece of artwork and natural stone is the premier choice in material in the market. The most valuable benefit of natural stone coping is that no matter how complex the design of the swimming pool is that you have chosen, the versatility of natural stone is unmatched. Natural stone coping is slip resistant, requires little maintenance and will stand the test of time.
Gone is the plain hill that had dominated the space – transformed into a one of a kind retreat truly highlighting the bright communal potential for the family and friends outdoors.
