A Spectacular Space

If you can’t be in the Hamptons, you can create that sense of classic calmness in central Iowa. With the help of Ted Lare Design + Build and the firm’s landscape designer Rachel Hendricks, Christine and John Stineman did just that in the Painted Woods area of Waukee.

“I worked on the East Coast for years, so I knew what they were looking for,” Hendricks says. Through a beautiful mix of flowers and trees, they created a special spot for their family and friend gatherings.

In designing and building their contemporary dream home, they wanted it to have the quality of timelessness, Christine explains. “In doing that, we used a lot of the home’s outdoor materials on the inside of the home, too. For example, some of the creamy-toned limestone pavers used on the outside are used around the fireplace facade inside the home.”

A TWO-PHASE PROJECT

“The landscaping process actually took us two phases to complete because of COVID-19,” John points out. “We started in 2019 and finished the work in 2022.” The hardscape features (patios, walks, and pool) were completed first. Then came the softscape (exterior plantings).

To find the right landscaping company to carry out their dreams, the couple interviewed several companies. Christine says, “We had a series of inspiration photos and designs to show. Ted Lare hit it on the nose for us. His firm was so knowledgeable and captured exactly what we wanted for the project. We could not have been happier that someone could translate what we wanted to accomplish.”

Designer Hendricks was the perfect fit for the huge project, which included a 40- × 20-foot pool installed by Valley Pools and a firepit. “When there were situations with some land and water issues, Rachel was here every single day and totally involved with adding drainage tiles,” Christine points out.

MIX OF FLOWERS

“We used boxwood, hydrangeas, roses, lilacs, ornamental grasses, and a Japanese maple tree in the front of the house,” Hendricks says, for a classic look. The property has planting beds and boxes for creating spots of color.

The flower boxes are for seasonal plantings, which the Lare company fills each season. All in all, the company planted 35 trees on the nearly 1-acre lot, including whimsical weeping pines. Christine refers to them as “Dr. Seuss trees” for their wonky appearance.

Three huge flowerbeds sit on a large slope in the back of the property. “They are filled with hundreds of tulip bulbs,” John says. “The show they put on is spectacular. They just keep coming on from early spring into June. The color is incredible.”

CUTTING GARDENS

And what comes after the tulips are done? Hendricks says that Christine wanted a cutting garden. The choices create an enviable and colorful mix of classic flowers, from tea roses, hydrangeas, and alliums, to coneflowers and salvia.

The couple has two children; both love to invite friends to pool parties. The details were completed in time for their daughter’s high school graduation party in May 2022. This year her brother’s party will take place.

A cozy covered patio on the backside of the home is great for watching football games. John says that its protected and covered design means the spot can be used for about 10 months of the year.

“The homeowners were lovely to work with,” Hendricks says. “This has been one of my favorite projects ever.”

“All of this created an outdoor sanctuary for our family,” says John. “We absolutely love it.” •