This Ballantrae Project in Dublin, OH, Showcases the Clients’ Artistry and Archadeck’s Skillful Execution
This stunning project, a combination hardscape, deck, pergola and fire pit project in the Ballantrae subdivision of Dublin, Ohio, is a work of art. This deluxe outdoor living space deserves an emphasis on the word deluxe. While Archadeck of Columbus can take credit for the execution, we can’t take credit for the materials selection. The homeowners devoted all of the time necessary to look at hundreds (maybe thousands) of pavers and stones and made their own selections for the hardscapes. Quite a few different materials went into this project, and yet it all comes together as a unified design in a splendid pattern of white, black and variable grays.
The clients wanted an open and expansive outdoor living space with several seating areas because they entertain frequently. On the deck they have room for a dining table that seats eight, and the deck also features a high counter or bar overlooking the patio with bar stool seating for six. The large patio offers plenty of space to set up additional tables or comfortable seating arrangements.
Where to start? The deck is built with low-maintenance composite decking from the TimberTech Legacy Collection in mocha. The Legacy Collection decking boards are capped on all four sides to provide complete protection against mold, mildew, moisture damage, stains, scratches and fading. The black aluminum railings are by Preferred Georgian Aluminum Rail and the riser lights on the stairs are TimberTech. These tiny lights make all the difference when it comes to safety on the stairs after dark.
We built the two pergolas with cedar and stained them to match the decking. The pergolas are more decorative than functional. You can see the top of each pergola consists of two long beams topped with a series of shorter rafters. A pergola designed to cast maximum shade would have a third element on top, a series of thinner slats running across the rafters. Here, the larger pergola serves to define the primary dining area, and the smaller one enforces the boundary at the edge of the patio.
Now for the hardscapes! Most of the pavers are from Oberfields, and the largest portion of the patio, called the field, features pavers from Oberfields’ Grand Milestone line in the Timeless color. Oberfields describes them as “long linear pavers that mimic wood planks.” That’s the effect the homeowners wanted to capture.
Working from the center outward, the first line of pavers to contrast the field is called the sailor course, to use hardscape lingo. For that contrast, the homeowners chose Oberfields’ Unity line of pavers in the Vision Smooth color. The next line of contrast, a darker one, is called the soldier course. Here they selected Il Campo pavers from Unilock’s EnduraColor in charcoal. Finally, the rounded outer edge, which is called the bullnose cap, is from Unilock.
Near the house, the low retaining wall—which will serve as a planter—is made with Edington wall stone in the Quarry Stone Blend color, from Oberfields. The retaining wall is capped with the same Unilock bullnose cap that created the patio edge. The pillars are made with the same Edington wall stone, as is the base for the unique rectangular gas-burning fire pit. Finally, the pillars and the fire pit rim are topped with limestone from Banas Stones in their kota black color.
Archadeck of Columbus will complete this outdoor oasis by installing softscapes in the planter, around the patio and along the side of the deck in about a month, when planting season has safely arrived.
If there was ever a project that demonstrates the way we work with materials the clients select, this is the one. It helps that these homeowners have an excellent eye for color, texture and pattern.
If you are ready to discover what artistry Archadeck of Columbus can design for your outdoor living space, contact us today to learn more at (740) 265-3905 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net.
— Your Archadeck of Columbus team
