There’s no place like home, and no place quite like the backyard of Jon and Jean Main’s suburban colonial home. The Kenosha County, Wis., couple wanted a “creative and complicated” landscape design that would be unlike anything in their neighborhood. They got that and more from Keith Ehmke, landscape architect with David J. Frank Landscape Contracting. With more than 14 years of experience as a landscape architect, Ehmke was able to meet and exceed the family’s expectations. The result was an exciting and personalized outdoor living space, and a Bronze Award of Excellence winner from the Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association.
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The project began with the Main’s desire for a new patio and overhead structure, but a consultation with Ehmke revealed additional needs and provided the detail he needed to design something truly special.
The original objective was to soften the hard lines, height and “boxy” appearance of the big colonial home, but there were other issues the homeowners had not considered. A large deck had been removed, leaving a significant difference between the level of the patio door and the existing grade. To the east, there was a new subdivision under construction, so screening and noise reduction were also considerations. The project area was located on the south side of the house, so some respite from the sun was desirable. Finally, the family entertains often, so the patio had to be physically large, yet not visually overwhelming.
With plan in hand, David J. Frank’s construction crew went to work. Curved bluestone steps were installed outside the patio doors, establishing a theme of “no straight lines.” A full-range patterned bluestone with muted tones was selected as the field material for the patio to provide understated elegance and a stable surface for outdoor furniture. Overlapping circular brick soldier courses were cut into the patio, and clay brick pavers were used to accent the bluestone and to draw the eye from circle to circle.
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The overhead pergola features a brick column with limestone belting and graceful, curved redwood beams, carefully following the curve of the patio. Cedar “spokes” radiate outward from the central axis, and are adorned with dramatic perforated light fixtures. Complete with rough cedar posts, this became an effective screen against unwanted sights and sounds, and provides welcome shade to the east side of the patio. At the south end of the patio, a small re-circulating pond with limestone outcroppings is pleasing to both the eye and ear. Finally, to the west, an in-grade fire pit with natural gas ignition offers warmth and light at the touch of a button.
Once complete, Jean Main made the space her own by planting flowers and foliage herself in designated areas. An avid gardener, she now has a new appreciation for her yard and enjoys sharing it with friends and family. “Keith did an amazing job,” Main said. “When we bought the house in 2000, I couldn’t image that I’d want to spend so much time outside of it!”
Keith Ehmke is one of more than 250 professionals at David J. Frank Landscape Contracting dedicated to beautifying Wisconsin homes and businesses.