Blank Slate to the Talk of the Golf Course
We spoke with Abby Rupsa, the owner and landscape designer at Botanical Living, LLC on a project we completed in late 2022. We regularly work with Abby on projects and we think this one was particularly successful. It received some recognition with one of the largest paver companies, Belgard, in one of their catalogs.
What the Project entailed
The clients, the Martin family, approached Abby on this project with a few things they really wanted. They love entertaining and wanted to maximize their west facing views off of a fairway of Todd Creek Golf Course, so they needed an area to properly do so. They also have a hot tub and wanted to get some privacy via either hardscaping or landscaping.
The challenging part of planning this install is due to them living on the golf course. They aren’t allowed tall trees since they must maintain sight lines for golfers. Therefore, Abby suggested some small ornamental weeping red buds which grow to a maximum of 10ft tall. She recommended placing them close to the house along with a Xeriscape yard. As she said with Xeriscape, “You’ve got to put the right plant in the right place and cover the rock as much as you can.” They also wanted to incorporate a fountain that was added for some white noise and sense of audible privacy. Abby also thought the pillars would add to vertical interest and give them more places to position elegant pots.
What we’re some of the design aspects that you and RNR liked?
Abby said she is pleased that the design fits well together. The design is sharp, controlled, and rectilinear (hard 90 degree angles). The design gives the clients the resort feel that they wanted. They also appreciate the retaining wall that keeps a sense of privacy to the patio. The hard lines of this wall were softened with some large boulders, one on the side of the house and the other in the back. Jordan with Rock N Roll loves how the fire pit turned out. He especially likes the custom, long rectangular look of the gas fire pit. This is one of his favorites of the entire year of installs.
How additionally was the Project successful?
Abby appreciated how the install was identical to how it was designed. As a landscape architect, Abby doesn’t try to be super picky about the build of her plans, but RnR does a great job of maintaining the integrity of her designs. Additionally, she loved how the final landscape grew into the space as planned and as the season went on.
What was some of the feedback from the Martins?
The best feedback one can hear is that people ride past on their golf carts and say it looks amazing and ask if they may they pop by later to enjoy the space and fire pit.
Special thanks to:
Abby Rupsa for taking the time to talk with us
Nathan Hindeman for providing photography
Chipper Hatter for providing photography
Products Used:
Belgard Dimensions 18 in Scandina Gray
Belgard Melville Wall in Victorian
Belgard Marina Coping