Cooperstown

A Closer Look at the Project

Our team was invited to this Lake George residence to explore the potential of designing and installing a custom water feature in coordination with a pool project already underway.

What began as a consultation evolved into a comprehensive landscape design and construction project aimed at enhancing both the functionality and visual appeal of this stunning lakeside property.

Client Goals & Site Needs

During our initial consultation, the homeowner shared several key goals:

Blend visually and physically the interior of the home with the exterior environments considering views and privacy.
Ease of access to the rear of the house with a minimum number of steps. This was important due to the mobility issues of a family member.
Of particular importance, make sure the architecture of the original home was highlighted or accentuated and not hidden.
Incorporate an addition off the rear of the house with a covered porch to allow for an appropriately sized kitchen for today’s style of living.
Include a detached carriage-house style garage with parking for one car, storage space on the second floor and a small home gym.
Incorporate an English style garden with a patio in the rear yard for entertaining and relaxing.
Driveway car parking for at least three cars.
Ability to turn vehicles around on the property to avoid backing out onto the busy street the house was on.
Privacy from the neighbors on all sides.

Design & Construction Process

Based on these goals, we developed a preliminary landscape and poolside design that incorporated all client requests and more. The design was reviewed collaboratively, and further refinements were made to enhance the final result.

Key features of the completed project include:

A custom waterfall constructed from large slabs of Corinthian Granite, flowing into the deep end of the pool.
A spacious stone patio positioned to provide unobstructed lake views, surrounded by natural boulders and the granite waterfall for a cozy, secluded feel.
Strategic placement of pool fencing—minimally visible from the main seating and viewing areas while remaining compliant with state safety codes.
Tree thinning and underbrush removal to open up clear views from the upper deck toward the pool and Lake George.
Grading adjustments to direct stormwater runoff away from the pool and entertainment spaces.

Special or Unusual Problems Encountered

The site was comprised of significant amounts of bedrock and the only advantageous location for the pool required that it be set in an area significantly lower than the existing driveway. These elements combined to be challenging in how to control water flow.

In addition, this location also resulted in the pool being in full view of the neighbors to the north as well as very close to the driveway. This required careful thought relative to privacy.

Plantings & Finishing Touches

Once the structural and hardscape elements were complete, we installed a diverse and low-maintenance plant palette, including:

Weeping Birch and Weeping Siberian Pea
Climbing Hydrangea and Endless Summer Hydrangea
Miss Kim Lilacs, Purple Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan, Astilbe
Ground covers like Creeping Sedum and Sedum Autumn Joy

In tandem with the planting, we installed a low-voltage lighting system and an automatic irrigation system to support long-term beauty and functionality. The project was finished with sod and mulch for a polished, natural look.

Project Duration: Approximately 6 weeks

This project is a great example of how thoughtful landscape design can transform a property into a private retreat, maximizing natural beauty and enhancing outdoor living with custom features like integrated waterfalls, elegant stone patios, and seamless water management.

Location

Cooperstown, New York

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