We had been asked to problem solve and define the space between the driveways and create a focal point to guide guests to the formal entrance. This medium-size stonework project contained dilapidated retaining timbers and actually had a set of steps that had been overgrown to the point of being lost.

The choice of material for the wall is a Wisconsin Fond du Lac Limestone and Sudan Limestone mix provided by Halquist stone, accented with Superior Trap boulders. The stone retaining wall is mortared in a random ashlar pattern. Since stone is a hard material and tends for a rigid look, I love to incorporate curves as much as possible. We did not want to have a tall wall blocking the steps as they went up the hillside, so for the lower portion, I kept the walls as short as possible. When the wall passed the view of the steps we raised the height, later to dive it down back into the lower wall. Once the retaining wall and the steps were completed we installed a cut-pattern Bluestone walkway to the front door and also designed a “valet walkway.”