Another year come and gone, and we’ve had some great moments we wanted to share. Thank you all for your support this year! Happy Holidays from your friends at Madrone Landscape, and cheers to another year together!
Song: Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC
By: Ian Parker
2019 continues to fly by, and as Spring came to a close we were honored to once again participate in the California Landscape Contractor’s Association’s Beautification Awards competition. This annual event invites Landscape Contractors from throughout San Luis Obispo County to submit their top projects to be judged by a panel of highly regarded landscape professionals. Judging of the projects is based on a strict criteria of artistic and technical achievement, with a focus on quality and workmanship.
For this year’s event, Madrone Landscape entered four of our recent projects, and we are excited to announce that all four projects brought home top prizes in their respective categories! We wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the projects and delve into what makes them worthy of top honors!
Project Spotlight: Gampe Residence
Category: Medium Residential Landscape Installation
Award: 1st Place – Medium Residential Landscape Installation
Description: This project, completed in the Fall of 2018, posed a tough design challenge as we were asked to make a big impact in a small space. High end finishes like a stone veneered retaining wall and a beautiful, flowing Sweetwater Flagstone patio border helped provide the artistic touches that the Client was after. A beautiful blend of pea gravel and river cobble does a wonderful job of complementing the drought tolerant plant palette, creating pound for pound one of our favorite projects of the year. We couldn’t be more pleased with the results!
Project Spotlight: Humphrey Residence
Category: Large Residential Landscape Installation
Award: 1st Place – Large Residential Landscape Installation
Description: Nestled in a beautiful North County Live Oak forest, this project combines all that makes landscaping on the Central Coast of California so special. The architecture and aesthetic of the home called for an updated take on the ‘English Cottage Garden’ aesthetic, which our designers were able to accomplish through a predominately California Native plant palette. The beautiful custom trellises in the back yard do a wonderful job of complimenting the accents of the home, and provide an improved level of comfort and security as you enjoy the lawn area – which is often used to host summer concerts for the client and their friends. Stamped and colored concrete walkways meander through the landscape, providing safe passage while softening the rigidity often associated with the use of concrete. Several unique seating areas provide the perfect vantage point to enjoy the abundance of birds, butterflies and bees that frequent the garden. Overall, this project has proven to be an achievement worthy of recognition!
Project Spotlight: Pataye Residence
Category: Residential Estate Landscape Installation
Award: Design / Build Award – All Categories (Installation)
Architect: Jade Architecture Builder: Semmes and Co. Builders (GC)
Description: Easily one of our favorite projects of the past year, the Pataye Residence is one that demands you stop and take notice. The architecture of this new home and the natural beauty of the location are amazing on their own, so we knew that only a contemporary take on the California Native garden would suffice. Our designers opted to use Carex praegracillis in place of traditional lawn, and chose to irrigate with sub-surface drip irrigation – conserving water, and falling right in line with the environmental focus of this off-grid masterpiece. The entry courtyard features a one-of-a-kind water wall which collects and cascades into a large reflection pool, stimulating all the senses. The unique details and high-end features of this project made it both fun and gratifying to work on at every phase, and we are so excited to receive this prestigious award for our efforts!
Project Spotlight: Edwards Residence
Category: Residential Estate Maintenance
Award: Sweepstakes Award – Best of All Categories (Maintenance)
Description: Completed in 2014, this gorgeous Madrone landscape has been one of our favorites for a long time. The 5 acre property features several acres of vineyard, as well as numerous outdoor living spaces surrounded by beautiful drought tolerant landscaping. Proper planning and installation has made this property a dream to maintain. Now, as a budding 5 year old landscape, we felt it was time for this property to get the recognition that it deserves. Our wonderful clients recognize the maintenance needs of such a gorgeous property, and encourage us to take the time to focus on the details and keep things looking their best. Kudos to our maintenance team for doing such a great job and bringing home the highest landscape maintenance honor in the County!
Who knew stewardship felt so good?
No matter where you live, you make an impact. For communities to function well over time, conscious efforts must be made by many to contribute to the positive impact toward the development of that community, or else who will? That is stewardship. We recognize this at Madrone Landscape, and try to do our part. https://madronelandscapes.com/about-us/stewardship/.
One recent effort that Madrone participated in was the design and installation of a low-impact landscape at El Camino Homeless Organization(ECHO). ECHO is a non-profit organization with a 50-bed transitional shelter helping families and individuals find permanent housing within three months of entering the facility. The organization is located on the Central Coast of California serving North San Luis Obispo County, and you can read more about their efforts here.
Working with ECHO’s Board of Directors, Madrone came together with community volunteers and students from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. The Madrone team and volunteers installed shade trees, screening, and a drought tolerant, native plant pallet. A quarter acre of fruit trees including apples, peaches, plums and figs were planted and a raised vegetable garden was also installed to make the most of what the facility has to offer.
Over two weekends of fun and hard work, Madrone’s general manager, Daniel Mazawa, led the charge with the help of Cal Poly professor Christie O’Hara and Rainscape manager, Victor Rocha, as 60 volunteers transformed the space into an aesthetically pleasing and functional landscape. Prior to the planting and mulching, Madrone’s build team graded the area, installed the irrigation and assembled all the needed materials. Local businesses donated irrigation parts, soil amendments and mulches. A little bit of conscious stewardship can make a big difference, and the benefits of this project will “ECHO” for years to come. The smiles say it all!
Annual Survey and Analysis of Community of Over 35 Million Monthly Users Reveals the Top-Rated Home Remodeling Professionals and Most Popular Home Designs. Houzz Inc., the leading platform for home renovation and design, today announced the community’s picks for Best Of Houzz 2016 in North America, a homeowner-to-homeowner guide to the top home builders, architects, interior designers, landscape pros and other residential remodeling professionals on Houzz from cabinetry or roofing pros to painters.
“Anyone building, remodeling or decorating looks to Houzz for the most talented, competent and service-oriented professionals,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “We’re delighted to join our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts in recognizing our “Best Of Houzz” professionals around the world.”
The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 35 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of recent client reviews. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award.
Madrone Landscape placed Best of Houzz 2016 for Design and Best of Houzz 2016 for Service. Check out http://www.houzz.com/pro/madronelandscapes/madrone-landscapes
Madrone Landscape was awarded the President’s Trophy award for the Adelaida Residence which was the Best entry in all Residential categories at the California Landscape Contractor’s Association 2009 Trophy Awards Presentation on November 13, 2009.