The purpose of this path is to connect two landscaped areas of a large yard: currently the developed areas float on a large, grassy lawn. The path will bring the eye through the arch, and down the path to the focal point of the firepit, while providing access to each area, and unifying the different areas of the lawn. The bold use of color and materials along the path complement the midcentury modern design of the home.
Computer drawing of all three areas.
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Finished computer design.
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The columns -- actually metal storm water pipes -- are cut to become progressively shorter as they near the fire pit.
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Tip: Before starting a path installation, remove any grass or groundcover on the site in advance.Steps: 1. Center the path in the space. To make the path look larger, a forced perspective is used (that is, as the path gets closer to the pit, it will gradually narrow). At the arch, the path is 4-1/2' wide, but as it reaches the fire pit, it narrows to 4'. 2. After finding the center point of the path at the arch, mark the edges of the path with a stake and string (figure A). Although you can use chalk or flour when creating boundaries or marking measurements, when you're creating a very precise line, it's best to use a string line and stakes. Keep the string taut and low to the ground. Since the path will gradually narrow, the string line will ensure clean, straight edges along the path. The length of the path is 32', so a string line is run the length of the path on both sides (figure B).
3. The 32'-long sections will be broken up into four equal sections on each side of the path, with the first section starting 4' in from the beginning of the walkway. Metal columns will be installed in each section along the path, with the columns closest to the archway placed 4' in from the front edge of the walk. The following sets of columns are spaced 8' apart, along the walkway, leaving a distance of 4' from the last set of columns to the fire-pit entrance. This will center the four sets of columns within the 32' distance.4. The columns and the plants that will edge the path will sit in a 22" border along both sides of the path. 5. The columns are 12" in diameter, so they will be seated 16" in from the outside edge of the pathway. This gives the center point for the placement of each column and leaves10" of planting room in front of each column. 6. The columns are actually metal storm water pipes that are cut to become progressively shorter as they near the fire pit, reinforcing the forced perspective of the narrowing path. They are 6' high near the archway but step down in 8" intervals to become 4' near the fire pit.
7. Before the pipes are installed, use a drill to drill 10 small holes along the side of each column (figure C). Position the holes in the column so they will be facing along the path.Tip: Always use safety glasses and gloves when drilling into metal, since sharp particles are thrown off during the drilling process. 8. Using a diamond bit grinder, cut a small opening 6" square about 18" up from the base of the column (figure D). This opening should be at the back of the column facing away from the path.
9. The columns are then painted four shades of bold blue, using the brightest, darkest shade for the tallest set of columns at the archway and working down the shade range to use the lightest color for the shortest set of columns close to the fire pit. This helps draw the eye through the path.10. The columns are then planted into the ground to a depth of 12" to give them vertical stability. The holes around them are backfilled with dirt, after making certain that they are level, both horizontally and vertically. 11. To anchor the columns in place, they are filled with approximately12" of gravel, which is poured in through the 6" opening in the back. 12. Acrylic discs are used to cap off the top of the columns (figure E). The discs sit on three bolts held in place with nuts, which are spaced evenly around the diameter of the column (figure F). These should be predrilled several inches down from the top of the column when the 10 holes are drilled into the column.
13. Low-voltage lights are installed in each column. The lights are fitted with stakes that can be inserted into the gravel base inside the columns through the back opening. This type of lighting does not have to be wired into the existing electrical system, it can be plugged directly into a GFCI outlet. The lights work off a transformer that plugs into the outlet. You simply run the lighting cable (figure G) and then attach the cable to the transformer. The cable is covered by the plants and will never be seen.14. Thirty-five-watt halogen bulbs are used with this lighting system, so it will give a brighter light than many low voltage systems. The light will be reflected through the holes in the columns (figure H), and through the translucent acrylic caps at the top of the columns, giving a soft but dramatic illumination along the pathway.
RESOURCES :
Brass Directional or Pathway Lighting
Model/Color/ISBN#: SPJ14-02 Moss
SPJ Lighting Inc.
www.spjlighting.com
PATIO Plus All-Natural Outdoor Potting and Planting Soil
Size: 1.5 cubic feet / bag
Approximate Price Range: $6.00
Kellogg Garden Products
Website: www.kellogggarden.com
Translucent Plastic
Ivory
11.5" diameter, 1/8" thick
Polymer Plastics
Website: polymerplastics.com
GUESTS :
Sherman Sylvan
Encino, CA 91316 E-mail: smsylvan@aol.com
John Watson
Owner, Landscape Illumination Design
John Watson Landscape Illumination
Northridge, CA
Phone: 818-349-8600
Fax: 818-349-5819
E-mail: jwli@pacbell.net
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