Including Classic Masonry in Modern Landscape Designs in Newport and Middletown RI Areas
The best part about modern landscape designs is that you are never stuck with just one aesthetic. Modern designs often borrow ideas and elements from various eras and styles. You can infuse a modern outdoor living space with a historic touch, for example, and still maintain a sleek contemporary feel. Here are our tips for including classic masonry in modern landscape designs in Newport and Middletown, RI, areas.
Related: How to Find Landscaping Companies You Can Depend On in Middletown and Bristol RI Areas
The Patio
One of the most prominent places to include classic masonry is on the patio. Brick is one of the most timeless, classic, and beloved building materials. Whether you choose clay brick or concrete bricks, you’ll bring warmth and charm to your patio. Surprisingly, brick pairs exceptionally well with modern architecture and landscape design. It offers a wonderful contrast to stark minimalism; and since brick is available in a wide range of colors outside of “brick red” - especially when you choose concrete pavers - the brick can have a modern flair. Bluish toned brick, for example, looks stunning next to bright white walls. The texture of brick, too, plays well with modern design that focuses on form and texture rather than embellishment.
Natural stone (or concrete pavers that mimic the look of limestone, sandstone, flagstone, bluestone, or granite) is another wonderful complement to modern design. A natural stone patio can serve as a transition between the home and the landscape. Stone also has incredible character. Anywhere you go in the world, you will find stone walls. Since stone was often sourced locally, various regions of the world have their own unique look - and your patio, too, will be completely unique if you use natural stone. No matter the type of stone, it will work beautifully with teak, Ipe (a Brazilian hardwood) or other fine-grained wood often used in modern landscape design. And, it’s the perfect complement to stainless steel appliances and poured concrete structures. With concrete pavers, you get more color, size, texture, and finish choices. You could also have the best of both worlds and use natural stone along with concrete paver accents and borders (brick, for example, pairs well with limestone).
The Vertical Elements
A beautiful modern landscape is a visual feast both on the horizontal surfaces, and in its vertical elements. Classic masonry such as a retaining wall, outdoor fireplace, water feature, or pillars that support a pergola, can bring interest to the space. With vertical elements, you have the wonderful opportunity of creating contrast between the sleek, smooth elements of wood and polished granite countertops, and the rugged, hand-hewn appearance of walls and other verticals.
A fire table, for example, is a very modern take on the classic fire pit. It elevates the fire pit to “chic” status by literally elevating the fire pit so that it becomes a comfortable place to set plates and glasses. Fire tables are always natural gas or propane so that nobody gets smoke in their eyes while sharing appetizers or drinks. They can be coffee table height, dining table height, or bar height. A rugged stacked-flagstone veneer along the sides can be topped with a smoothly honed cap stone. Or, smooth rectilinear wall units could be topped with a chiseled-edge cap stone. Contrast is eye-catching!
No sophisticated outdoor living space is complete without a classic water feature such as a Roman fountain. The tranquil sounds of falling water create an atmosphere that takes you away from your worries, right in your own private backyard sanctuary.
Related: Building a Safe and Stylish Inground Pool in Tiverton and Portsmouth RI Areas