The Holidays

We have been very busy around the house and at work recently. Usually, there is a rush to get projects out of the door before the holiday season begins and this year has been no exception. People seem to be getting comfortable with the economy and the economic forecast looks bright as we turn toward 2018.
I have a couple of projects I am excited about. This one is a project that is at the very beginning of the process. If you haven't figured it by now, most projects move at very slow pace. I recently drove by a project that I designed in 2014 that has just finished up. This project is a major renovation of the house and creation of a pool courtyard.

Preliminary Site Plan 

There is a guest suite at the rear of the property and a large pool pavilion with a fireplace and grill. as it stands now, the materials will be white painted brick walls and bluestone pavers with granite cobble curbing. One of the features I'm excited about is the large freestanding wall with the stone niches. The niches on the wall are situated so that they relate to the center of the pool as it is entered from the motor court. We will ultimately put some climbing vine in the niche but the detail on that wall will be very nice.
Another project that I've had the chance to influence near the end of the process which is the planting plan which I'm pretty excited about. Hopefully, the client will like it as much as I do. I'll share some the plants that are being considered.

Tetrapanax papyrifer (Rice Paper Plant)

 This plant gets really big but must be protected here in north Georgia as it likes warm climates than ours. Google this plant to see how large it really gets. It's a large shade loving plant.

Cotinus coggygia 'Royal Purple' 

'Princeton Sentry' Gingko

Diane Witch Hazel

This is another worth searching on Google. The form of this plant is outstanding. I hope the client likes it so I get to see it when it flowers. It flowers in early spring and has pretty good fall color too.