Designer Paving and Landscaping

08/06/2022

How our Retaining Wall drainage system works

27/01/2021

We were contacted by a couple wanting to give the backyard of a recently purchased Salisbury North property a makeover.
Working to a budget we were asked to create a low maintenance area which included a garden bed, small patch of lawn and some usable space for the family.
With that the earth works begun, tree removal and relocation of the clothes line was needed to provide space for the patio, concrete sleepers were used as an effective and cost efficient means to create the garden bed and a base was prepared for Artificial lawn.
The end result was very pleasing, the rear section of the yard was levelled, tidied up, trees were trimmed, a cost efficient ground cover was spread throughout the outer perimeter and the Installation of Artificial lawn providing the low maintenance patch of greenery.
The patio area was constructed using 300x300 charcoal pavers with garden beds surrounds providing a great space for relaxing and entertaining.

05/09/2020

Backyard remodel using Old red brick pavers

We were recently contacted by homeowner Helen who was wanting a backyard make-over for her century old home at Birkinhead. Unsure of what she wanted to do and with no real plan in mind, Helen asked if we could put a design together which could include the following; a small lawn area for her two dogs, the planting of fruit trees, somewhere to grow vegetables and that the work be done in accordance to the time period styling of the century old house. With that plans were drawn up and the following was constructed

An existing in-ground pool used up the only open space available of the backyard leaving an awkwardly shaped area in which to landscape. We decided to incorporate the inclusions Helen had asked for into separate sections of the yard and join them together with the use of an old red brick paver pathway which not only worked a treat but kept in with the time period styling of the property perfectly.

We commenced the pathway from this narrow section of yard which opened up from the carport and included two of the three vegetable gardens which we custom made using long lasting and maintenance free zincalume corrugated sheets and ekodeck faux wood framework.

The pathway continued throughout the backyard and led to the outdoor decking steps, shed door and the pool area. The colours in the brick pavers were amazing, rich and beautiful, the path oozed character as it flowed through the yard

The inclusion of full sized fruit trees to an area of this size would have not been possible, but the dwarf varieties of Navel Orange, Tahitian Lime, Mandarin and Red Delicious worked well in the reduced space along with a lemon tree which featured at the paths fork.

Instant kikuyu lawn was installed and a rustic feature garden bed using log borders was prepared all ready for planting of shrubs and creepers.An ekodeck fence screen was installed for vine creepers to climb and planter boxes to be hung from. Pine bark ground cover was spread throughout the remaining ground which provided colour to compliment the yards colour scheme

12/04/2020

Paving we laid at a Henley Beach property keeping in tune with the Heritage era and theme

02/11/2019

Blake's Crossing retaining wall reconstruction
3 November 2019
I'd like to share some pics of a Retaining Wall reconstruction I did for new home owners Nick and Tahlia at their Blakes Crossing property
I received a call from the couple who informed me that the retaining wall and landscaping which they had contractors build less than 7 months ago was in bad shape and needed urgent attention.

When I arrived to have a look it was easy to understand their concerns, the wall was sinking and starting to list, there were large gaps between the steps and the wall, no concrete footing under the wall, keystones weren't adhered together in any form and there were numerous poor cosmetic choices.
Unfortunately the only solution to properly correct all these problems was to completely pull down the walls and reconstruct them using the same keystones.

I put together a design for the couple which not only included 100mm thick concrete footings under all the walls, but with added reinforcing including steel bracing rods, concrete infill, construction grade masonry adhesive, and concrete footings under both sets of steps.

The layout of the design would be completely different. The mismatched pavers to the path in front of the veranda would be ripped up and replaced with pavers to match the existing driveway, the narrow offset steps which were previously in-place would be replaced with a much wider set of to be positioned centrally, installation of artificial lawn and forever black mulch and keystones to be installed under the path where it formaly joined onto the driveway.
Both Nick and Tahlia were very happy with the new design which featured some of the ideas they had initially wanted, with that the process of the reconstruction begun.

After completely dismantling the existing walls, form work was put in place and filled with concrete, steel bracing rods were used for reinforcement and every following row received concrete infill and construction grade masonry adhesive to ensure there would be no possibility of movement.
Drainage was installed behind the wall to eliminate any water retention that may cause hydrostatic pressure and the steps were constructed out of concrete with the bullnose pavers and keystones reinforced on top.
With the re-positioning of the water metre away from where the steps are to be positioned to another location on the first level construction could now commence on the second wall.

The footings and drainage were constructed in the same manner as the upper wall and the path was laid on a base of compacted quarry rubble.

With the completion of the second wall and steps the final section of paving was then laid completing the design. The plan to utilise the properties elevated height enabling two wide sets of steps in the middle of the property worked well, it was certainly a feature which now gave a grand entry to the property.

The view from the upper level was just as good, the paving now flowed beautifully and brought the whole build together, with the extra wide pathway in front of the veranda there was ample room to sit back and relax.

The addition of the artificial lawn looked great, it softened the appearance and provided a nice splash of colour. The use of charcoal pavers acting as a border between the lawn and the forever black garden beds worked well in maintaining the unification of the design.

With the continuation of the keystones now running under the path, the lines of the upper section and the path itself created a far more stronger and defining look.

I would have to say, due to the dramatic transformation in both the safety and visual aspects of this job that it was one of the more rewarding and enjoyable builds I've undertaken, and hope it brings much joy to Nick and Talia.

23/08/2019

We thought we'd share some before and after shots of a recent build we were involved with at Blakeview.

Our services were contracted for the Stormwater Drainage System, Paving, construction of a Retaining Wall with inset steps and a further set of Steps on the other side of the property. For the excavation we again acquired the services of Chris from Hilton Earthworks, Landscaping & Garden Maintenance, the only Bobcatter we'd use and recommend.

Dianne and Andrew had a vision in regards to the paving which was a little quirky if not unique, so with their request and our love for all things different we commenced the construction of the tri-coloured creation!!

We found the process quite enjoyable to perform, and were very pleased that we were able to replicate Dianne and Andrews vision.

19/04/2019

Some recent photos of work undertaken to a property at Craigmore
Our client chose Littlehampton's "Old Red" clay pavers to match with the houses heritage design and brickwork, which we were able to supply at cost to fit within their allowed budget.
For the excavation at the front of the property we again used Hilton Excavations as our preferred service provider, while the back needed to be dug by hand due to access and existing Landscaping confines.
Due to the properties sloping block stormwater grates were installed to the driveway to ensure no structural damage to the property caused by floodwater.

22/03/2019

21/03/2019

Some recent work