Four backyard, interconnected, garden rooms for a Park Ridge home and outdoor continuity for a Lake Forest residence's main house, coach house, pool and rear yard, garnered Excellence in Landscape Construction and Maintenance Awards for Chalet of Wilmette.
|
|
Chalet was asked to bring new ideas for both residences, one small, the other a sprawling estate, both previously landscaped by other companies.
The Park Ridge home received Silver Awards for Residential Landscape Construction and Maintenance.
"We found the home to have a conglomeration of 3 separate landscape designs, each trying to incorporate elements from previous installations," says Chalet's Landscape Designer Troy Ripley. "A desire by the homeowner was to create a place for safe exploration and discovery for the granddaughters as well as a great place for evening escape.
"The already small backyard (about 1,500 square feet) was divided into four smaller intimate rooms, each with its own reason: the perennial flower garden, the fountain garden, public patio area and the 'swirl' room, a focal point from the existing pergola. Plantings include varieties of azalea, phlox, hibiscus, hydrangea, peonies, and pachysandra. The spiraling stone ground sculpture, fun for the grandchildren to follow, leads to a bronze cast of a small girl reaching up to be held."
|
|
An Excellence in Landscape Gold Award for Construction and Silver for Maintenance was presented for a Lake Forest residence.
Outdoor areas were tied together with a wrought iron fence to enclose the perimeter of the property matching the garden fence first seen off the expanded motor court to the front entry. Multiple plantings as yew, Norway spruce, witch hazel, and green velvet boxwood border the fence.
The renovation and expansion to the existing bluestone pool deck and rear patio hardscapes, and enclosed masonry grills, were designed to complement existing wall and pool house details. The existing seasonal drainage swale dividing the property was transformed by incorporating granite boulders and bluestone chips to mimic a tranquil woodland stream. Drain tile installed throughout lawn areas and planting beds resolved poor drainage problems.
|
|
Chalet's Robert Milani, senior landscape architect, design team leader, and Chalet Project Awards Program leader, designed and directed the construction and maintenance of the site.
"Extensive drifts of perennial and annual flowers, evergreens, environmental factors, differing light levels, drainage issues and the use of the lawn, pool deck, walkways and woodland garden paths are instrumental in the comprehensive landscape maintenance program," Milani explains. "Maintaining this property means a constant evaluation of all aspects of the landscape and keeping that close relationship with the family that relaxes in it."
|
|
The Chalet dates back to 1917 with the beginning of L.J. Thalmann Architectural Landscaping. Continued growth led to the development in 1942 of the Wilmette Nursery and Garden Center later renamed "Chalet Nursery." In 1976 with expanding landscape services, a separate Landscape Division was formed. It has been recognized with numerous local, state and national awards.
Working to exceed customer expectations, the Chalet provides award winning design and construction, maintenance and lawn care customized for small areas to sprawling estates. Softscapes or hardscapes, lawn, plant bed or tree care, irrigation or lighting systems, Chalet covers all landscape services.
The Chalet offers monthly advice and information at www.chaletnursery.com or call 847/688-0561.