Giver's Gain.

I'm going to follow Anne's lead this week and share my favorite places to buy materials and the names of my favorite builders and craftspeople.

Today it's all about stone. I've got two favorite stone masons to tell you about. The first, Greg Marris @ 206-795-5315, is a true artist and a pleasant guy to have hanging around your house. He listens to the stone and builds the best blue-stone patio in town (see photo). The second, Nigel O, is your man for walls and big projects. He has a great team working for him and he wears a utilikilt--and looks good in it!

Both of these guys will buy your stone for you, but you may want to look at all of your choices first. Take a day trip to Marenakos and get acquainted with stone. Bring your camera and take pics of your favorite choices or just pick up some samples and live with them for awhile. The stone will start talking to you.--R

Lovely stone wall. Laurelhurst.

The horticulturalists

You can't even see this house from the street. Plants are everywhere.--R

Dietz Design Group

Another DDG project.  I'm not psyched about the shed colors that the client picked.  Oh well, you can't have it all.--R

Great Clients. Before, During, and After. Viewridge.

Last week my sister, K.C., and I went to look at a project we had completed two years earlier--Scott and Tiffany's house. This was a big job: concrete retaining walls, concrete stairs, dry-stack wall, bluestone patio, custom railings, all new plantings, container gardens, electrical, drainage, tons of new dirt, and a lot of contractors. This was also a hard job; we had to re-permit, the rain would not let up, the client's basement flooded and their sewers backed up (not related to construction), electrical lines were severed during demo, and did I mention the rain?

Fortunately, Scott and Tiffany are two of the loveliest and most patient clients I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Maybe it's Tiffany's southern charm, or Scott's winning personality, but despite some major setbacks they maintained their composure and positive outlook. I'm sure there were days when they wanted to kill me (who doesn't hate their contractor/designer at some point in the process?), but they never let on. 

The yard is looking good. Their beautiful children are having fun in all the new spaces. And I am relieved that it all worked out. Thank you Well Done clients. --R

The Philadelphia Story. Devon,PA.

Main Line Philadelphia. I lived there from age 8 until age 17.  I can't stand the new "I made a ton of money in the market" development, but the old homes and neighborhoods still take my breath away.  I'm talking field stone, and stucco, and hedges, and split-rail fences. They are beautifully crafted and timeless.  Well Done Old Money.