Rustic Retreat in Cordera
With active kids and a busy schedule, this young family wanted an outdoor retreat for both recreation and relaxation. Their newly built home needed a landscape that maximized greenery, incorporating as many large trees as possible.
On a medium-sized lot with a substantial home, careful tree selection was essential to fit as many as possible while ensuring long-term health and balance. A curated mix of columnar deciduous and evergreen trees provides spring blooms, vibrant fall color, and year-round interest. Native Aspen trees add an alpine feel, blending the new development into its natural surroundings. Perennials and ornamental grasses enhance the design, offering seasonal color and year-round texture.
An efficient drip irrigation system sustains the new plantings, incorporating fertilizer injection for direct nutrient delivery to the root zones. A state-of-the-art smart controller adjusts watering schedules using real-time and historical weather data, ensuring optimal water efficiency.
For the children, a generous lawn space was essential—perfect for games of catch or kicking a soccer ball. The design allows them to step directly from the garden-level basement, across the patio, and into the yard.
Navigating the steep, narrow side yard, snapped stone step units create a natural yet accessible staircase. These steps are nestled into stone retaining walls and linked by matching natural flagstone steppingstones.
A flagstone patio, featuring a natural boulder gas fire feature, forms a cozy retreat in the back corner of the yard, taking full advantage of mountain and sunset views.
Low-voltage LED lighting tastefully illuminates the entire project, enhancing curb appeal and extending the enjoyment of the landscape into the evening. Strategically placed path lights ensure safe passage from the front curb to the backyard while providing a warm, inviting ambiance.
The final result is a natural, cohesive landscape that perfectly suits a Colorado Front Range home—harmonizing with the new development while adhering to the community’s architectural guidelines.