Yearly Archives: 2012

Client Reviews

Completed Project- Petaluma Front & Back Yard

This project was a complete reworking of a front and back yard, with new stamped concrete driveway, entry pathway and rear patio. In the back yard we installed a new arbor and revamped an old lawn with new plantings and pathways.

 We were very pleased with O’Connell Landscape, from our first meeting with Michael to the completed project of our frontyard, backyard and driveway.  Michael was able to take our vision and with his expertise in landscape design exceeded our expectations for our project.  The crew was great, they were always on time and at the end of each workday the work areas were straightened and ready for the following day.  We had a lot of cement work done and were very pleased with the concrete contractor’s skill with color and design.

We appreciated the landscape drawings that Michael prepared which helped us visualize what the project would look like at completion. The informational booklet that Michael put together for the types and care of the many different plants and trees is proving to be very helpful.
-Ed & Diane Landman, Petaluma

Work in Progress

Petaluma Front Yard Makeover

This project in Petaluma was in need of some help, with a large cracked asphalt driveway and a front yard that was being dominated by Juniper. We removed the old driveway and an RV parking area and installed a new stamped concrete parking surface and entry pathways. The junipers were removed and replaced with low maintenance groundcovers and grasses. Lastly, the old nondescript drainage at the front of the property was regraded with boulders, cobblestone and California native Juncus patens.

 

 

 

Design Examples, Online Resources

O’Connell Landscape Featured Projects on Houzz

Houzz is a great website for high quality images for inspiration, to explore materials, or just window shop at some beautiful landscapes and homes.

Here’s a slideshow of some of our featured projects on Houzz

 

Awards

2012 CLCA Awards- Kentfield Judges Award

This Kentfield project  won the judges award at this year’s California Landscape Contractors Association  North Coast Chapter awards. One of the three top recognitions awarded for all projects, the Judges Award is singled out be the judges as an excellent entry across all categories of installation and maintenance entries in the North Bay.

The project was designed by Bradanini and Associates, Gaetani Construction was the general contractor.

See the video below for an interactive overview of the project.

httpv://youtu.be/nKN2vTYvfQQ

Client Reviews

Completed Project- Petaluma BBQ Island

We just completed this back yard project in Petaluma, which transformed an existing paver patio with more space, a seat wall, and BBQ island with bar seating. The BBQ island utilized natural stone veneer panels and large Indian Sandstone natural stone slabs for the countertop.

We could not have been more pleased with our backyard remodel, which consisted of replanting our vegetable bed with non-toxic wood, extending our patio, building a seat wall and putting in a built in BBQ.  O’Connell landscape was responsive to our questions throughout. The project was completed on budget and in the time frame promised. The few issues we raised were promptly addressed to our satisfaction. The crew was onsite everyday, was polite and left the job in clean condition each evening. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending them.
-Michael & Stacey Wenzel, Petaluma

Sustainable Landscapes, Synthetic Turf

Kentfield Tiered Putting Green

This large synthetic turf putting green for a project in Kentfield featured two distinct tiers and varied hole locations to create a visually interesting and challenging green.
One of the keys for creating a more interesting green is soften the edges with plantings and create a varied fringe area, so that the green is not just bordered by a uniform fringe.
We worked with Jim Bradanini and Associates for the design and placement of the green and 1st Impressions Greens for the installation.

Work in Progress

Completed Project- Kent Woodlands New Home

We are just wrapping up work on this project in Kent Woodlands, a complete re-landscaping for a large new home. The project, designed by Bradanini and Associates incorporated new bluestone patios, extensive walkways, mediterranean and shade garden areas, a redone swimming pool and large synthetic turf putting green.

 

Plants

Pruning Ornamental Grasses

We use a lot of ornamental grasses in our landscapes. They fit very well in a number of design styles and are  fairly low maintenance and low water use. We typically prefer evergreen grasses for their year round appeal, but even those grasses that don’t go deciduous can benefit from a pruning (haircut) every year or two. This article from the Sonoma County Master Gardeners gives a good overview on pruning some common grasses.

Some of our Favorite Grasses

Evergreen: Blue Fescue, Deer Grass, Evergreen Miscanthus, Autumn Moor Grass, Berkeley Sedge
Deciduous: Purple Fountain Grass, Little Bunny Fountain Grass, Miscanthus
Grass-like: New Zealand Flax: Yellow Wave, Jack Spratt, and Tom Thumb among other more compact grass like varieties

Work in Progress

Current Project- Petaluma

For this project in Petaluma we removed an existing rear patio and installed a new colored concrete patio, BBQ area, and modern floating square concrete slab entry path. The landscape will be installed in phase 2 of the project.