In the summer of 2005, we were contacted by an individual who was building a new home in a residential community located in Haymarket, VA. The chief goal of the client was to establish a comprehensive design that would successfully integrate and showcase the structures being constructed on site – which included the family home, a carriage house and a pool house. Collectively, these buildings and surrounding areas occupied approximately 4.5 acres of the ten-acre site. The client was also concerned that the landscaping be in keeping with the design and scale of the arts and crafts style home, and meet the overall standards of the community.

The principal areas of focus were the home's front entrance and the roadway entry. The second area included a large entertainment area in the rear of the home, consisting of a swimming pool, hot tub, wooden deck, flagstone pool deck and a lighted walkway leading from the carriage house and motor court to the pool house and pool area and outdoor fireplace.

We developed several designs, which responded to these needs. Ultimately, concepts from each of the plans were incorporated into the final design. Because of the extent of the work, the project is to be implemented in multiple phases. The first phase included all grading, sodding, and hardscapes, as well as the installation of high voltage lighting and irrigation systems.

The landscape installation occurred in the last months of the home's construction in August 2006. Subsequent phases will include the installation of plants, trees, flowering shrubs and low voltage lighting.