Elegant Ellipse: Existing diagonal flagstone walkway meets new patio, fire pit

It's the challenge of bringing new shapes in to cooperate with shapes that have already commanded the landscape. In this case, a nice, wide, grouted flagstone walkway cuts diagonally towards the architect-erected ADU. It's nice, as is the custom steel bannister and railing. But we need a patio, a fire pit, an “away”, and it has to harmonize with the inherited landscape. Also, it needs to look and feel like hiking around AVL.

So, we slowed life down a bit for this family of four, with stepping stones squared exactly off of the diagonal walkway. By letting the constraints- the strong diagonal and the space it left- inform the design, it gave way to a diamond layout for the stepping stones when approaching, as pictured. Total graphic score! In 2 years, you will walk through the shrub forest, now in its infancy, where fragrant native Azalea blossoms will waft at the level of your nose. This little bit of wild intimacy is where the family goes to reinforce the good stuff, rest, and plan adventures.. How many dollars can you put on that? Birds nest there; how much is that worth? And privacy?

This gets at why I think landscape design is undervalued. To have a world of your own in your front, side, back, or barely-there yard, brings engagement with your brain, movement to your body, beauty to the beholder, and value to your asset. I can help you decide what, where and how much you need, and how to get it within the constraints of your budget, ultimately to satisfy the desire.