Modern European Cottage

Deephaven, MN

Yardscapes was initially contacted by the builder and architect working on this Modern European Cottage to review the property and home design before construction began. Once the clients and Dave Kopfmann had the opportunity to meet and discuss what their visions were for the property, Dave started working on their wish list of items, which included a custom concrete pool, concrete spa, patios/walkways, custom fencing, and wood structures.

One of the largest challenges was that this property had a 30% (or less) hardcover surface requirement for the city location. With the lot size and square footage of the home, we had limits to how much hardcover we could add to property. So, we had to get creative. We presented to the city the usage of the Live Green Roof plantings that would reduce the hardcover calculations for the site. Also, if we kept space between the Laurel Sandstones walkways, using them as steppers and planting groundcover or lawn between the stones that would also reduce the hard surface calculations. We continued that theme with the back patio as well. The client’s esthetic leaned towards the minimal style, so by adding greenery between stones work esthetically.

Dave chose the Laurel Tumbled Sandstone for the charm and character and thought it would lend well to the old world feel of this Modern European Cottage. We installed it on all the stone walkways, steppers, and patios around the home and pool.

Yardscapes had several meetings with the client to discuss/review perennials, shrubs, and tree selections. Plant color and texture of the planting material were equally important to the clients when choosing. We grouped the plantings together and did not over-mix varieties of plants. Ultimately, we chose a variety of styles from natural groups of plantings to a touch of formal style, which all work cohesively together.

The custom fence design and installation was designed to create a cottage “country” feel. They gave us inspiration of a country style fence that you may find on a farm to keep the animals inside. We took those photos and ideas and elevated the design. We used a combination of cedar wood and sandwich the galvanized mesh between it. The fence also creates a space for the clients two dogs to roam freely around their property. We installed sod on the inside of the fence to the home and seeded the remaining areas with a Low Gro Fescue grass seed with a straw blanket for protection.

The minimal European style custom concrete pool was designed to be lined up in view from the porch and inside the home. The client requested the lawn around the edge of the pool, which helped reduce the hardcover calculations. The concrete spa is open year around. Benches are on all four sides of the spa to create enough seating for the whole family to use at the same time. Mortared field stone on the exterior of the spa mimics the stone on the exterior of the home. The spa equipment is installed in the lower level of the home to protect it from the cold winter weather.

Between the garage and the home’s entry is a pea rock sitting area and is viewed from several windows. Dave  wanted it to be a quiet escape from the rest of the house with the minimal design. The Skyline Locust tree planted in the center of the space creates a canopy and softens the side of garage wall from the window views. The client will be installing a small water feature along the garage for serene noise ambience.

The client had very thoughtful design ideas styles, and our collaborations all came together and worked well to create the landscape design/installation. The result was everything they had dreamed of and more for their Modern European Cottage home and property.

Front entry to new home construction (Modern European Cottage) and construction site view.

During construction of the covered entry along the garage with a green roof. Laurel Tumbled Edge Sandstone walkway from driveway to the front entry of the home.

Finished courtyard between the garage and front entry of home. One Skyline Locust Tree was installed to create a canopy for the area. Pea Rock patio surface and perennials along the edge.

Finished photo of the cottages front entry with Laurel Tumbled Edge Sandstone walkway and steppers in lawn.

Custom Cedar fence 48″ height with woven galvanized metal. Fence is double sided to cover the woven wire material.

Construction of concrete pool shell, steel rod 12″x12″ square spacing. Pumping concrete on the walls first, then the floor. Steps are the last step of the concrete installation. The wood framing is for the auto cover storage area.

Finished concrete shell of the swimming pool. Full steps across the pool shallow end. Pool depth is 36″ to 7′ in the deep end. There is no diving board due to size of the pool and for a cleaner aesthetic.

Installation of the dry laid Laurel tumbled edge Sandstone patio under the cedar pergola side of the pool house. Laurel bull noise for the pool coping.

Construction of cedar wood shower enclosure. Custom Concrete 8’x8’x 36″ depth, Spa raised 18″ above the Laurel patio surface. The outside walls of the spa are mortared on fieldstone (same stone that matches the stone on the house). Laurel bull noise coping spa edge. Spa is open year around and the equipment is in the lower level of the home. We installed the spa pipes 6′ below grade to protect them during the winter season.

Shower enclosure constructed with cedar lumber. Copper trim covering the top of the cedar walls to protect from water entering the wood structure. Laurel tumbled edge sandstone shower floor installed over a clear rock system to drain the shower water.

Photo of spa construction and backyard area before sod, walkways, and patios.

Installation of plantings along the back porch area. Laurel stone pathway system with space between stones to reduce hardcover calculation. Space between the stones planted with Woolly Thyme groundcover. Along the pathway perennial plantings, Quaking Aspen trees, and Limelight Hydrangea tree were installed.

Back patio off the screen porch, stepping-stones in the lawn, and stepping-stone pathway to the spa. 3/4″ gray trap rock pathway (in the rock pathway is a PVC drainpipe system) starts in this area and goes all the house foundation ending at the driveway edge. The PVC has an outlet in the lawn area by the street.

To reduce the hard cover calculation for the site we installed a Live Green Roof System on two flat roofs. The roofing company design and installed the rubber membrane, copper edge cap and scupper drain outlets. We started by installing dimple board system for below the plantings. The dimple board system collects excess water and moves it to the scupper outlets. Plants are watered by a drip irrigation system.

Installation of the Live Green Roof during the planting. Tubing for the drip irrigation system.

Finished installation of the Live Green Roof System on the flat roof around the deck (before the metal railing was installed). Upper copper rain gutter collect water and drains into the Live Green Roof system. Photos shows copper drains and scupper system along the edge of the flat roof.

Live Green Roof system completed around the deck system and black metal railing installed. This photo is of the second growing season since installation.

Pergola off the pool house and outdoor shower with patio. Lawn is up to the coping (to reduce hardcover of the site). The client does like the style of lounge chairs in the lawn area. The fence shows the back property line.

Laurel tumbled Sandstone patio under the pergola along the concrete pool.

The complete concrete pool and landscaping view from the deep end of the pool. Creating an organized style and feeling.