In Perfect Balance: Using proportion and scale to achieve sophisticated serenity

Dear clients and friends,It is a pleasure once again to share the latest edition of Folio, where we highlight truly beautiful gardens from your Mariani Landscape team.

At Mariani, we never stop our pursuit of quality and perfection — even in the winter months. As many of you know, we are the only ISO-certified landscape company in the country. ISO is a tool that stresses the importance of continuous

improvement, which is a full-time, year-round undertaking. Our commitment to improvement means that you receive only the best service from our crews. If we ever fall short of expectations, we go after the root cause and make the necessary adjustments to correct the problem.

During the winter months we also focus on recruitment to ensure that we continue to expand our abilities with fresh faces and new ideas for our clients. Recruiting is a never-ending pursuit, and one that I personally enjoy. We actively recruit from the best colleges and universities in the country for degreed landscape architects, horticulturists, construction managers, and floriculturists, to name a few. It’s a powerful experience to see such enthusiastic and talented people who are eager and excited to join our industry. We are always looking for the next star to fill any potential gaps on our team.

At Mariani we are only as good as our associates. In this issue of Folio you will meet three of our designers and learn what makes them the very best in the field. Our teams of creative and management associates skillfully support this excellence in leadership. We hope you enjoy viewing some of their finest work.

Our landscape design team is going full throttle 12 months a year. They are busy working on projects that are due for construction as soon as the weather breaks, as well as projects that may not happen for two or three years. We have a saying at Mariani, “Our next design will be our best design!” We have added some terrific talent to our design staff, and our timing is perfect, as that segment of the business has picked up considerably.

Every year, more than 95 percent of our Mariani Landscape maintenance clients renew with us for the next year of service. We are both humbled and proud of that statistic. This is a testimony to your belief in what we do, as well as the level of service and quality that we strive to deliver. Training, mentoring and recruiting are the keys to our success, and having the winter to focus on these areas is a real blessing.

As always, if you have any comments, suggestions or criticism — I’m all ears.

All my best,

In Perfect Balance Using proportion and scale to achieve sophisticated serenity

T he art of landscape design is often an exercise in balance — mixing old and new, offsetting high with low,

pairing soft and hard. Many parts make up the whole, but it is the designer’s vision that brings all the elements together in unison.

When you are working with sweeping views of Lake Michigan, expansive gardens, and a grand old home from the 1920s art deco era, there is a lot to consider in the landscape equation. The goal for this North Shore home was that the three main design elements — the residence, the gardens and the lake view — would not overshadow one another, but instead be balanced in beauty and thoughtful proportion.

When the current homeowners acquired the lakeside property, they were faced with overgrown gardens, vine-covered windows, no visible lawn, and grounds filled with invasive buckthorn. Mariani Landscape was retained to transform the neglected landscape into a space that was peaceful, simple and elegant.

“The clients wanted a space that was beautiful and calm with a serene sophistication,” said Sara Furlan, Mariani design director. “We edited very carefully to make sure there were no overwhelming elements. Everything is in proportion so you feel comfortable in the space.”

Balanced Collaboration When Mariani was brought on for the project, the homeowner was planning to add an addition to the house that would effectively double the size of the original structure. The overall design needed to maintain a sense of time and place that corresponded with the home, while also incorporating new functional requirements that included a pool, dining terraces and bluff stabilization.

The ambitious landscape design came to fruition through strong team collaboration and a willingness to work through the smallest of details. The design team collaborated closely with the building architects (Marvin Herman and Associates) and the interior designer (Leslie Jones) to thoughtfully

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Designer Spotlight

Sara Furlan Landscape architect B.S. in landscape architecture University of Illinois

30 years of experience

Design philosophy: “I want to create beautiful environments that help enrich people’s lives. It’s stressful out there; with good landscape, you can come home and decompress. You can be reinvigorated. That’s pretty powerful stuff. It doesn’t come in a bottle or in pill form — it’s from Mother Nature and artful crafting of the space. I want to help people find that moment of Zen.”

evaluate how the gardens and residence would interact and complement one another. Furlan also worked with a team of civil engineers, custom stonemasons, arborists and a structural engineer to realize the design vision.

One imperative that everyone had to follow was not to interrupt the sight lines of the lake. The landscape uses simple materials and a basic color palette of whites and greens in order to reduce any distractions from the brilliant blue vista. Mature arborvitae hedges not only provide privacy, but also conceal neighboring residences and lead the eye to the lake beyond. The pool terrace features simple limestone paving in a running bond pattern for uninterrupted views.

All of these elements, just like the landscape team, work together to create an environment that is seamless and functional.

A Sense of PlaceQuality landscape design is a supporting component of any house. It should blend the entire experience so there is no disconnect from one space to another. According to Furlan, “Good design is about having a good theme and reinforcing it again and again. It just flows.”

In her eyes, the architecture sets the tone. To give the property an instant patina and sense of place, existing stonework and garden ornamentation was painstakingly repurposed. Two seahorse-shaped planters were discovered at the property and are on display at the south stairway. The planters typify the art deco details also found in the home.

Also on the south side of the home, an old bluestone terrace was reset and expanded. Great care was taken to locate and match the aged bluestone on site to ensure there were no noticeable differences between the new and the old.

In the end, Furlan and the clients are extremely happy with the results. “It is improving over time and hasn’t lost any of its charm,” she said. “We were able to create something unique and timeless.”

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The High Life

H igh above the crowded, noisy streets of Chicago sits an urban oasis — a private hideaway for

relaxing and entertaining. With stunning views of Lake Michigan, this north side rooftop retreat

leaves the bustling city below and welcomes you to have a seat and stay awhile.

The homeowner was looking for functionality with a clean design that incorporated the highest

quality materials and craftsmanship. To maximize use of the space, the owners wanted an outdoor kitchen, plenty of seating, and efficient lighting to make more of the evening hours.

John Mariani, project lead and landscape architect, helped create a contemporary space utilizing warm materials to create an uplifting experience.

Embracing the Elements While the rooftop terrace is comfortable and inviting, the materials are rugged and durable. “The top of a building on the lake is a tough climate for plants. We wanted to be decorative, but we had to pick materials that were weather hardy,” said Mariani.

Glass and stainless steel are used to withstand the harsh extremes of Chicago weather on the lake without the need for annual care and refinishing. Glass railings, designed by architects Eifler and Associates, were also functional in that they do not block the bird’s eye view.

Golden Glory Dogwood, Birchleaf Spirea and ‘Diablo’ Ninebark were selected due to their ability to survive extreme weather. Mariani Landscape also designed and installed a sophisticated irrigation system to maintain them.

Plantation-grown tropical woods inspire an organic, spa-like feel in an otherwise cold, urban space. Plantation-grown woods — such as teak and eucalyptus — are a sustainable, environmentally responsible choice and require low maintenance for long-term care. “The teak deck is hard and weather resistant, with a beautiful natural grain. It has a very architectural look and allows for proper drainage. We used a unique parquet pattern, which gives it a really rich look,” said Mariani.

Top-quality furniture fabrics with high wear and colorfast attributes were a must for the sunny rooftop. Care was also taken to make sure the furniture was heavy and secure so it wouldn’t get blown to the Windy City streets below. “It’s a simple design, but the plants soften it up and make a comfortable space with the materials,” said Mariani. “It’s pretty to look at, but it’s also a usable space. The clients are very happy and use it a lot.”

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Designer Spotlight

Tony LoBello Design director B.S. in landscape architecture University of Illinois

26 years of experience

Design philosophy: “I try to engage the client in the design process. It makes the client happy and makes for a better project. When we start building, I am always on site with the owner to make adjustments that make it more personal for them. The best projects are the ones that you mold into a final product. Paper only takes you so far — you need to see it evolve.”

This property features a basketball court, a playground area, and grassy areas for playing catch. When it’s time to relax or entertain, there is a kitchen area, a fire pit, and plenty of seating.

Form Follows FunctionTony LoBello, design director and lead designer, places a lot of value on finding out exactly what the client wants from the start. “We like to get all the information we can about the family lifestyle — how do they plan to use the yard? From there, form follows function.”

One of the main landscape goals for the client was to make this new construction fit into the surrounding neighborhood as if it had always been there. Mature, 20-foot evergreens were brought in to create that “established” look and also provide privacy on an exposed corner lot.

“My goal was to solve the functional aspects, and then look at the aesthetics. The first concern was to fit the neighborhood context; then the need for privacy. The architecture and the family lifestyle guided the plantings and eclectic style," said LoBello.

Party in the BackFrom the street view, the property presents a more formal welcome with straight hedges and manicured lines that are typical of the Victorian era. As you move toward the back of the house, you find meandering pathways, curving flowerbeds, and more casual spaces for entertaining.

LoBello’s design breaks up the expanse into connected vignettes to form the perfect setting for entertaining. A large pergola with climbing vines creates an intimate dining area, and establishes a connection between the house and the landscape.

The patio extends from the dining area with a distinct paver pattern to separate the gathering spaces. The patio forms three areas that connect for larger parties. But when it’s just the family, they can still feel comfortable in one space.

“The client is thrilled with the final product. They can see the value and they get use out of the entertainment space,” he said. “It’s all about meeting the clients’ needs.” L andscape and lifestyle go hand in hand. The perfect landscape must complement not only

the home, but also the family that lives there. This Victorian-style house may look formal, but with plenty of outdoor areas for entertaining and activities it is always ready for fun.

Family Friendly Landscape design for outdoor family time

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I magine walking out of your French chateau for a relaxing stroll around the gardens. You are greeted by perfectly

trimmed hedges, trees that rise in straight rows, gardens graced with a statue or a fountain, and pathways to explore all of the intimate spaces and novel surprises.

In 17th century French gardens, the style was to create unity and harmony with symmetry and order. At this French Normandy-style home, Mariani had the pleasure of looking to the past for inspiration to guide a landscape design that was fitting for the home.

“I love restorations around architectural structures,” said John Mariani, landscape architect and lead designer on the project. “Your challenge is to re-landscape back to the way it might have been, even with modern elements like the pool. We complemented the home in a manner that it deserved; in the theme of the architecture. The landscape makes the home that much more beautiful.”

Par ExcellenceThe historic architecture of this 1920s-era home is rich in detail and grand elegance with beautiful stone and brick throughout. Therefore, the landscape had to be rich as well.

“We wanted to reflect the home and complement the style with high-quality plant materials that are true to the time period,” said Mariani. “In France, the gardens are very simple and clean. The style does not incorporate typical foundation planting.”

To typify the look of a chateau, the hardscapes were designed to come right up to the French doors. The terrace is raised so you can easily walk out on the unadorned rectangular patio that is echoed by the adjacent rectangular lawn panel. For entertaining, the lawn space functions well for a tent or mingling.

Beyond the lawn are the garden spaces, or rooms, just like in an old estate. All of the garden rooms are connected throughout the property by pathways.

Reinventing the French Garden

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Designer Spotlight

John Mariani Landscape architect B.S. in landscape architecture University of Illinois

33 years of experience

Design philosophy: “My rule is to always complement the home and the architecture. It’s a matter of arranging plants to screen, to frame, to bring attention to the home, to provide shade relief, or guide people through the site. It has to look pretty, but it has to work and give the client a good value. As a result, the landscape is useful, practical and long-lasting, as well as beautiful.”

The pathways and various focal points guide you through the garden journey. Each garden offers an intimate and interesting space, but they are all connected through careful design.

The one element that ties it all together is the neatly trimmed boxwood hedge. According to Mariani, “We start with a framework or common element that ties the whole landscape together — in this case it was the boxwood hedges. We then decorated within those framed areas. We were trying to stay within the historical context and make it consistent from a design standpoint.”

C'est la vieAs in life, landscape design can have its fair share of challenges. One challenge that Mariani faced was finding a way to utilize an existing arcade of wire hoops that were at one time used for a rose garden. The long arbor was in good shape, but after years of disregard the garden was too overgrown and shady for roses.

The garden was framed by arborvitae on the north side and maple trees on the south side. “The trees were let go for years. We tried to prune them back as much as we could to allow for sun. But the roots, the denseness and the height of the trees made it hard to find something to grow up the arbor and create the effect that we wanted.”

Mariani finally found some vines that would prosper in the shade, and lined the arbor with bright chartreuse hostas, and white and chartreuse limelight hydrangeas. “It really pops and makes it more dramatic. Darker colors like blue or purple wouldn’t pop as much and would be boring,” he said.

This French garden is anything but boring. Looking ahead, Mariani has a master plan to add more gardens and a small orchard to the property someday. But for now, the client enjoys the simple harmony, beauty and joie de vivre.

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300 Rockland Road, Lake Bluff, Illinois 60044847.234.2172 • www.marianilandscape.com

Personalized, Distinctive Outdoor Living EnvironmentsFolio was printed with vegetable-based inks on environmentally conscious paper that is certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council and produced using green power.

Photography by Linda Oyama Bryan.

Personalized, Distinctive Outdoor Living EnvironmentsFolio was printed with vegetable-based inks on environmentally conscious paper that is certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council and produced using green power.

Photography by Linda Oyama Bryan.