Wagner Design Group

11/26/2024

Oregon rains can bring out the worst in our landscapes. Poor drainage, mud, vegetation die off- the list can go on and on to make maintaining and enjoying our outdoor spaces nearly impossible.
In this space solutions felt unreachable with the constraints of the site. Water pours down from the hillside behind collecting onto the existing flat area, compacted soils don't allow for the water to drain through the soil, shade from surrounding trees makes growing the existing lawn a nightmare. And then there are the dogs. Dogs with their zoomies in rain and winter is a recipe for disaster, bring on the mud! While there are potential solutions to resolve these issues, such as installing a better drainage system, rehabbing the site soils, planting with crops such as clover as an alternative to the lawn, paving, etc, these can be costly for a homeowner and feel out of reach. For this site the solution was to think outside the box, stop fighting conditions we may not be able to change at the moment, and step away from what we envision is the ideal or "perfect" landscape.
Cedar playground chips, enter the chat! The dogs need a space to run and play, their humans need to not fight the endless mud. A thick layer of the cedar chips blown in has turned this space around, allowing for enjoyment of the space for all. This buys the homeowner as much time as they need if they decide to tackle some of the site constraints in the future and is an easy, immediate fix. Added bonus? Apparently dogs not only love to run and play in it, its fun to roll around in!

07/19/2024

I love to see progress in clients projects! Here are some before and afters of a fantastic transformation, phase 1.

08/26/2022

This remodeled home and landscape is perfect for both entertaining and cozy family time. The upper terrace next to the house is complete with an outdoor kitchen, dining area, firepit, hot tub, and spaces to gather to enjoy the views to the water beyond. A few steps down brings you to the lawn level which is surrounded by plantings and raised beds in corten steel. Dockside there is another patio that brings you right up to the water to enjoy the boating and swimming. The separate spaces creates “landscape rooms” that make the yard feel more expansive with different opportunities for activities and relaxation.

08/25/2022

While I will almost always encourage my existing or potential clients to pursue a landscape plan so that they can create a cohesive design that takes into account every aspect of their property to maximize the potential, there can also be moments of spontaneity to take advantage of. For example, on my property, I had a raised bed that I had previously used for growing vegetables but this year decided to go another direction. One afternoon this summer I decided to head out to my local garden center and filled a cart to the brim with all kinds of new perennials that aren't in my “normal” rotation of plants. I also added in a few Cosmos annuals for a burst of summer color (I generally steer away from annuals in my designs, but I do have a soft spot for Cosmos). While I am still careful about plant sizes, watering needs, sun exposure, variations, etc. the area was a blank canvas that became an experimental garden, one where I could go nuts at the garden store and fill in the space with all kinds of new goodies. I love seeing how the new plantings work together, what is successful, and what might need to be shifted. If you have such a space in your landscape, don't be shy to grab some plants that catch your eye and try your own experimental garden!

08/05/2022

This beautiful new home is set within the vast blueberry fields in Boring, Oregon at the edge of a lush forest. We brought in more natural materials with the stone slab steps, flagstone paving for the entry and pathways, and accent boulders to tie into the surrounding environment. A water feature and surrounding lawn with additional plantings softens the hardscape. This home entry adds curb appeal and a welcoming presence from the street, it is a space the clients are happy to call home!

Construction and collaboration with Big Sky Landscaping, Inc.
www.bigskylandscaping.com

08/02/2022

You know you are going to have a wonderful experience working with a new client when the first thing they tell you is that they like to get their hands dirty! Music to my ears!

This is a very unique property as it partially sits over the lake, so its “backyard” is a public space for recreation, wildlife, and adventures. While this can be a wonderful feature, there are times when one wants to be able to relax, entertain, or enjoy the outdoors more privately. In this case, the “front" of the home becomes the opportunity for that with an elongated courtyard as the canvas.

You enter the property from a discrete gate at the street, what lies beyond is a complete surprise. Once you walk through, you are surrounded by lush and private shrubs and trees that frame the courtyard and help to create a "landscape room”. There is a pathway that meanders to the entry of the home, a seating area that surrounds a built in firepit, two water features, and plenty of room for gardening and letting the plantings set the stage. This garden experience is ready for friends and family to gather and socialize, space to putter amongst the perennials, and is most of all a welcoming entry to the home.

07/13/2022

Home and landscape remodel for a lakeside property. Completed just in time to enjoy the water and sun this summer!

06/17/2022

New construction on the golf course. Completed just in time to enjoy the summer! Complete with patio, bubbler water feature, built-in bbq, fire pit feature, lawn, and pathways.

05/31/2022

The sunny weather today felt like the perfect time to visit this project that was completed this winter.
It is situated amongst the rolling hills of farmlands in a beautiful setting, but the property offered very little usable outdoor space. We saw an opportunity to transform an old parking area off the driveway into a courtyard that the family can use for entertaining, gathering, relaxing, cooking, and dining. You enter the courtyard from three different points under a series of arbors that welcome you into the space and frame the views. The main stairs and wall were replaced with a more streamlined and safe version to navigate down. The paving details and clean lines of the walls and planters keep in the midcentury modern theme, and the addition of wood in the arbors and screen panels warm up the concrete and create a nice contrast. The wood panel screening is used to create privacy as well as hide the existing utilities on site. A built- in gas fire pit with bench seating surrounding creates a conversation area, a welcoming space to entertain and enjoy company. The final touches coming- time for the plants to fill in and adding the furniture and cooking center. Our goal is to create an outdoor living experience that the family will enjoy and grow into for many years to come!

08/26/2021

Just in time for chilly Autumn evenings, this NE Portland backyard has completed its makeover. What was previously a fairly blank slate (a small, mostly unusable deck off the back of the house and a swath of lawn) has transformed into a space to entertain, dine, cook, garden, and cozy up to a gas fireplace under cover. There is plenty of room to do all of these things, even in a smaller sized backyard, and one space welcomes you to the next. I'm looking forward to watching this garden fill in and mature over time!

04/28/2021

I was able to visit one of my lovely clients today to see their project as the build was just completed. What a fun yard this has turned into, with a covered structure, outdoor kitchen, extended patio, hot tub, raised garden beds and a horseshoe pit to top it off! They are ready for summer! (I have included a before shot to see the transformation.)

11/22/2020

A new blog post on hiring a designer vs going with a design/build firm!

When I first meet with clients, something I am sometimes asked is, "why should I hire a designer and not go with a design/build company?" Great question! There are several reasons an independent designer just may be the perfect route for you. The first is that you aren't tied to one contractor from....