Mosaics in the Landscape
We have completed three projects at this residence in North Asheville. Each is defined by a mosaic inlay that we did. The first project was a set of steps and a landing at the top of the property. This was a very specific client request to allow them a view over their roof of the beautiful mountains beyond. We built a substantial retaining wall and installed of walkway on top of it. Pressure treated posts anchored in concrete support the swinging bench, installed by BB Barns. We built a short backyard trail that leads down from the bench to the back entrance of the home. The first inlay, a goldfinch, is set just off the trail.
The second inlay is a common sight in this part of the mountains. A black bear is set into a large stone in a walkway we created that leads from the back entrance of the house towards the landing and bench. There was a small section of wall to be built here as well. We tried to match the existing wall, a mortgage structure, comprising, local fieldstone and large river rock. While not our signature style, it is a common vernacular. Some of those old walls completely ignore the principles of good stone construction. We just can’t do that! So we cross our joints, but it’s similar enough in feel and look to be of a piece.
The most recent project was completed this spring. It’s another set of steps up another slope. This is a very steep property, as many are in Asheville. We built a small landing at the top of the steps, which connects the driveway to the deck and entrance at the opposite end of the house. We needed a small retaining wall to hold soil off the stone patio. We put a seating cap on it and now it’s a bench! The bench provides a nice vantage point to look at the bumblebee inlay we did, which celebrates a pollinator garden soon to be planted.
