Goldstein Residence

In 2014, we first started working with the Goldstein family.  Since then, we have completed separate design projects that were installed.  These projects include rain gardens in the backyard to stop flooding after rainstorms, updating the front yard beds and creating customized lighting for a walkway.  We have also have helped them stop using artificial fertilizers and pesticides on their grass and got them to reduce the mowing to make their yard healthier.  

Project One – Year One

The most important project came first.  The backyard would flood after even the smallest rain.  We began with a conversation about how to eliminate water in the backyard.  The concept was to use rain as a positive force to make the property more sustainable and attractive.  The family wanted a unique space that expressed their personality.  We set out to develop a master plan for the yard and outlined where new rain gardens could go.  Rain gardens are living gardens that are built to deal with stormwater in a more natural way. They can be places of native plants, edibles and will bring brids & butterflies into the yard.  They also often help with reducing annoying mosquitoes too. 

​The installation of the entire backyard took about a week.   With all of the native plants, the backyard became as much an educational tool as a stormwater management device. Blackberry and lowbush blueberry were included in the installation so that fruit would naturally grow during the spring and summer. 
 
Once the new backyard was finished, the flooding was completely fixed.  Their backyard has gone from a bog to a place to gather friends and family for BBQs, and birthday parties.