Renewal on the River
On the banks of the Chattahoochee, a once overgrown site is treated to a lush makeover.
Empty nesters often turn their attention to reclaiming childrenβs rooms or basement play areas. But one Sandy Springs couple decided to recreate a portion of their 1.5-acre property that had been overgrown with ivy when they raised their three children.
Thanks to a transformation by Bellwether Landscape Architects, the couple are finally able to fully appreciate their Chattahoochee River homeβwhether itβs unwinding after work, canoeing and kayaking on the water, or hosting events such as their daughterβs wedding. Sited across the bank from trails in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, the homeβs peaceful view will remain undisturbed.
To achieve their clientsβ vision, Bellwether created a design plan that married the American Federal style of the front of the home with the Lowcountry river-house look of the back. βThe house is very classic and charming,β says Missy M. Madden, Bellwether co-founder. βThe homeowners were open to a clean slate.β
The landscape design shifts from formal to more organic as the property nears riverβs edge. Bellwether refurbished the front landscape and added a new driveway with a textured mixture of limestone, pea gravel and reclaimed granite cobblestone. Closer to the house, the garden is more formal with clipped boxwoods, hydrangeas and a bluestone walkway.
A native serviceberry tree and a water feature made from a river boulder and add an organic appeal that harmonizes with the nearby water. A shed, once overgrown with ivy, now boasts fresh paint, while a new in-ground fire pit serves as the perfect site for outdoor gatherings.
The grown-up landscaping lends itself to entertaining for all occasionsβwhether an intimate get-together or a bustling fΓͺte. Occasionally, the Bellwether team even receives texts from the homeowners, both doctors, expressing their newfound love for their reimagined space. And that, of course, βis really the joy in that project,β says Bellwether co-founder H. Todd Yeager.
ARCHITECTURE Bellwether Landscape Architects. (404) 996-1232; bellwetherla.com.