Most of the hardscape materials used in this outdoor renovation in Pelham Manor, N.Y., were quarried in Turkey through Marmiro Stones, including the warm-toned marble pavers and veneer, and the travertine veneer. The project, installed by Scenic Landscaping of Haskell, N.J., included patios, walls, driveways, stairs, a courtyard and walkway, drainage, lighting and landscape.

At the front of the home, Scenic used various marble products from Marmiro's Crema Eda® selection. The courtyard contains 16''x24'' pavers in a running bond inlay with borders of 4''x4'' pavers. In the walkway are 16''x16'' pavers. The stairs were built with sandblasted 2 1/4''-thick treads with bullnose edges. The risers include Terra Splitface travertine veneer along with the marble veneer; all 6'' high in random widths.

After the owners of this private residence, located in Pelham Manor, N.Y., considered what materials to use for their hardscapes, they chose Marmiro Stones' Crema Eda® marble pavers and veneer, and Terra travertine veneer to create a welcoming front courtyard and a cozy outdoor living area that is perfect for entertaining their family and friends.

Scenic Landscaping was put in charge of the installation of the project after its design division, Tapestry Landscape Architecture, helped craft the design.

The Contributors
For over a decade, Marmiro Stones located in Carlstadt, N.J. has provided high quality natural stone products to customers across the United States and worldwide. The family-owned business has factories conveniently located near their quarries in Turkey. This allows them to control all aspects of production, from the selection and extraction of blocks to the importation and distribution of products. Each month, they manufacture over 500,000 square feet of tiles, slabs, pavers, coping, veneer, and cut-to-size products.

 

The fireplace was a custom-built, wet-laid masonry unit that was then faced with Crema Eda® Splitface marble veneer, to complement the color from the pavers, along with Terra Splitface travertine veneer. The mantelpiece, shelves and benches are sandblasted marble, 2 1/4''-thick with bullnose edges. Three Skyvues flat screen TVs were installed at strategic viewing areas. Surround sound speakers are built into the pergola columns that are wrapped in the same matching veneer as the fireplace.

One of the viewing areas is next to the Prisco spa on the patio's lower level. The TVs are outdoor rated but they came with a protection cover to safeguard them from the elements, The railings were custom made out of wrought iron by Tri-State Fence.

The barbecue and dining area features granite countertops from Westchester Granite. Most of the appliances are from Lynx.

Scenic Landscaping from Haskell, N.J., has 40 years of award-winning experience and caters to every type of lifestyle. Their team of over 100 landscape architects, designers, project managers, masons, and horticulturists work with clients, found mostly through a referral base and their website, to carefully plan every landscape - from distinctive outdoor living spaces to creative private garden areas for homeowners and business owners alike.

According to Juan Ospina, a landscape architect at Scenic and this project's manager, Sherry Robbins of SDR Designs created the conceptual design and then Scenic was responsible for the working drawings and specifications, the LED lighting design, and almost all of the build including the patios, courtyard, walls, driveways, stairs, drainage, lighting and landscape.

The Outcome
Approaching the house, you are welcomed by a custom medallion set in the front walkway, created using the marble pavers in different finishes. The medallion is then repeated after stepping out the back door onto the rear patio.

This patio includes an outdoor kitchen with a refrigerator, ice machine, barbecue, side burner, cocktail station, dishwasher, beer cooler, and sink from Lynx, and a pizza oven from Kalamazoo. Westchester Granite supplied the granite countertops.

A seating area is next to the main feature: the custom made fireplace. This structure features Crema Eda® Splitface marble veneer, to complement the color from the pavers, along with Terra Splitface travertine veneer to create a beautiful blend of earth tones.

As a fire is burning, guests can watch movies on the flat screen TV from Skyvues mounted directly above. Surround sound speakers are built into the pergola columns wrapped in the same matching veneer as the fireplace. Just a few steps below, guests can relax in the Prisco spa while watching another flat screen TV, positioned directly on the wall next to it.

The project also included many small embellishments such as bullnose edging on all of the wall caps and treads, and 4''x4'' stone borders and trims around the entire perimeter of the house. Unique low voltage lighting provides the illumination.

Unique low voltage lighting was installed throughout the patio under the wall caps, column caps and stair treads, but the homeowners provided the lanterns. Bullnose marble caps crown the columns.

The pavers here are 24''x24''. The table is more of a heater than a fire bowl although a small flame is produced. The furniture was all provided by the homeowners.

In addition, a driveway was built with Belgian block. Instead of the standard gray, Scenic was able to locate tan material to complement the marble.

The Details
It took 20 to 30 workers 11 months to complete the project. Scenic Landscaping continues to provide the residence with complete gardening services including seasonal colors. Baldwin Pergolas, Scientific Electric and Frank R. Bakuska Plumbing were subcontractors, along with Enhanced Homes, which handled the audio/video.

Excavators, skid-steers, large trucks and a jackhammer, all owned by the landscape company, were used throughout the work.

Ospina reports that demolition of the large existing rear yard was a challenge because of the limited space for removing debris due to the property's sports court. They eventually had to haul away hundreds of truckloads of old brick, concrete, balustrades, pavers, and overgrown trees and landscape remnants.

Ultimately, Marmiro Stones, Scenic Landscaping and Tapestry Landscape Architecture worked closely together to perfect all of the necessary details in making this outdoor living area one to be treasured for many years.