Scott Van Asten of Vosters Landscaping in Kaukauna, Wis., built everything but the kitchen sink using Versa-Lok Standard in his winning design in the hardscape manufacturer's latest design contest.
|
|
Starting with a blank canvas of a back yard, Van Asten was faced with slopes going two different directions and an egress window on the back of the house that had to remain accessible. In addition, the patio had to be accessible from the garage service door to accommodate a handicapped family member.
“The biggest challenge of the project was to provide a large enough area for entertaining without interfering with the egress windows on the back of the house,” Van Asten explains.
He tamed the dual slopes with a series of curved tiered retaining walls, using medium-height plantings to soften the appearance. A set of scalloped stairs bisects the complex to make the transition between a single-tier and double-tier wall. Freestanding columns accent the stairs and patio and provide ample spots for potted plants.
The spacious patio features a built-in grill with granite countertops on one end and a magnificent fireplace on the other. Versa-Lok Weathered Standard in a Chestnut color was used for the entire project; columns and seat walls are finished with caps in a darker Cedar Creek Brown color.
“An amazing transformation of a dull and mundane yard,” one judge observed. “That it was done exclusively with Versa-Lok Standard is a testament to the designer’s creative ability.”
“A beautifully sculpted landscape,” agreed another judge. “Tasteful accent lighting, subtle color variations in column and wall caps, and granite countertops are the icing on the cake.”
Concludes Van Asten: “With one product, I was able to construct retaining walls, seat walls, pillars, outdoor kitchen, table and bar bases, and an outdoor fireplace. One product—countless possibilities.”
Van Asten also won first-place in 2005.
The Versa-Lok Standard product was manufactured by Bend Industries in West Bend, Wis.
Runner-Up No. 1: Lakeshore Living
A spectacular view of Smith Mountain Lake and easy access to the boathouse is the payoff for a multilevel patio/wall/stairs complex that wraps around this Bedford, Va., house and traverses a steep shoreline slope. The project was designed by Andy White, hardscape team manager with Southern Landscape Group in Evington, Va.
Custom black iron fencing and white cast-stone column caps set off the well-proportioned Versa-Lok Mosaic walls, planters and stairs that make full use of the lakeshore hillside without overcrowding it. Pockets of plantings throughout bring in additional color and textures for a natural-looking landscape. The project ties the upper-level home together with the lower lakeside amenities beautifully.
“A very creative layout with a lot of interesting details, wrote one judge. “Matching Mosaic walls with Standard steps was done extremely well.”
The Versa-Lok Mosaic and Standard product were manufactured by Marshall Concrete Products in Christiansburg, Va.
Runner-Up No. 2: Tropical Getaway
Tropical is the theme of Garry Ferrell’s multifaceted backyard creation. Ferrell, general manager of Wilson Landscape Associates in Columbus, OH, and a 2006 Versa-Lok Design Contest winner, created a series of circular patterns that are repeated throughout an expansive patio area covering nearly the entire back yard. A smaller elevated semi-circular patio partitioned off by freestanding Mosaic walls and columns fills in an alcove next to the house and creates a more intimate sitting area.
A low Mosaic perimeter wall punctuated by columns encloses the entire area and features a built-in grill in one corner. In the middle of the wall is a small raised waterfall that cascades into the patio and serves as a soothing focal point. Accent lighting on the walls, plantings and waterfall illuminates the highlights, while standing tiki-torch lights, cast-stone pineapple finials on the columns, and a fireplace table add an island atmosphere. Considerable detail is evident in the paver patios.
“Versa-Lok was the only wall system that could blend the client’s needs for an aesthetically pleasing, versatile and affordable finished product,” says Ferrell.
“They’ve created an incredible outdoor environment here,” wrote one judge.
The Versa-Lok Weathered Mosaic product was manufactured by Oberfield’s Inc. in Columbus, Ohio.
A grand prize of $5,000 was awarded to Vosters Landscaping. Runner-up prizes of $500 each were awarded to Southern Landscape Group and Wilson Landscape Associates.
For more images of the contest winners, visit www.versa-lok.com/gallery2007.htm.