Luxury Backyard Design in Franklin Lakes, NJ

Bergen County Backyard Renovation: How a Franklin Lakes Pool and Koi Pond Became a Functional, High-End Outdoor Sanctuary with a Floating Patio

Reimagining Outdoor Living in Franklin Lakes, Bergen County

When Ringwood-based CLC Landscape Design was tasked with reimagining the backyard of an exquisite Franklin Lakes home, company founder Rich Cording Sr. saw beyond the outdated, “stale” space. He knew the property had “good bones” that his company could transform into something spectacular.

From Outdated Backyard to Award-Winning Landscape Design in North Jersey

Cut to a couple of years down the line from the project’s inception and the yard is now an award-winning property that seamlessly combines function and flow, providing the homeowners with more usable space in a private sanctuary-like setting.

Cording says the Franklin Lakes family had taken initial steps to renovate their existing koi pond that needed TLC along with a swimming pool in disrepair when they hired CLC to create a more cohesive outdoor living space.

“This site had a good house, a good layout, the pond and the pool, but it was tired,” says Cording, a licensed landscape architect who established CLC more than 50 years ago. “It was a matter of unifying everything and pulling it all together while adding key elements, including an outdoor kitchen, pavilion and fire table.”

Custom Landscape Architecture: Creating Flow, Function & Luxury Outdoor Spaces

Cording says CLC’s motto is: Great landscapes starts with great landscape design ideas. The architects at his company work together, giving each other input on designs, to get a “synthesis of ideas” and different possibilities to present to clients.

Landscape designer Frank Thropp got to work on a master plan for the Franklin Lakes property that included expansive patio areas with pathways to connect each distinct destination when a stroke of genius hit.

The homeowners wished to have the pond be a key focal point of the yard; Thropp dreamed up a “floating patio” with a fire table that’s a defining feature of the property.

The Floating Patio Concept: A Unique Backyard Feature in Bergen County

“The patio appears to be extended out over the pond – it’s phenomenal and a very unique concept,” Cording says. “The homeowners fell in love with it.”

Cording says to pull it off, it’s vital to know construction elements. His team does.

“We don’t just do design – we build everything we design,” he says.

Concrete, mortar and pins were used to fortify the pond walls before specially ordered oversized bluestone slabs were laid down to form the cantilevered portion of the patio.

The color of the stone used on top of the fire table plays off the bluestone.

Outdoor Kitchens, Pavilions & Fire Features for Modern Backyard Living

A new pavilion and state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen which includes a built-in pizza oven has become the central entertaining area for the homeowners; after dinner, they can retreat to the nearby floating patio for dessert around the fire, overlooking the lily pads, Cording says.

Designing Pool Areas for Comfort, Safety & Aesthetic Appeal

The pool area, set off toward the back of the property but now easily accessible by a pathway, is surrounded by traditional pavers – Cording stressed the importance of using pavers or a natural stone that reflects heat in this area as something like bluestone would get extremely hot. The spacious layout allows plenty of room for lounge chairs and seating.

Strategic Planting Design for Year-Round Beauty in Bergen County

The last step – choosing plantings – is far from least important.

“At our company, the most important thing is design concepts – once that’s worked out and all areas are flowing and the major issues are handled, the plantings pull everything together and create a sense of true outdoor living spaces and harmonize everything.”

Hydrangeas and other flowering bushes surround the pool, providing color in warmer months; plants that will keep things lively in the winter, like a dwarf blue spruce and evergreen shrubs, were also incorporated as well as some Hakone grass that CLC was able to repurpose from the property.

Creating a True Outdoor Living Experience for North Jersey Homeowners

Cording and his team, including his sons, take pride in knowing they’ve created a backyard that feels like an extension of home.

“During summer months the focus will be around the pool, but they can really enjoy year-round grilling and sitting by the firepit,” Cording says. “That’s the beauty of good landscape design – we made sure this was an inviting space close enough to the home to enjoy in colder months, but the distinct spaces aren’t jammed on top of each other. It’s really a space they can enjoy for at least three seasons.”

Rich Cording Sr. Answers FAQs About Design Trends, Timelines & Challenges

Bergen County Outdoor Living Trends: Fire Features, Pergolas & Outdoor Entertainment

Q: What trends are you seeing lately in outdoor design?
A: Firepits have been strong for years and they’re still strong. Some kind of fire element is very desirable, whether that’s a firepit, fire table or fireplace. Outdoor TV sets are also prevalent.

Pavilions or pergolas are also key in design right now. Clients are looking to include shade structures in their yards and create outdoor living spaces.

When to Start Your Backyard Project in North Jersey: Planning Timeline Tips

Q: How far in advance should homeowners looking to do an extensive outdoor project reach out to landscape designers?
A: If a client wants to do a large project this summer, they should’ve contacted us last summer. You can’t call us in March and be enjoying a project in the summer – it just doesn’t happen anymore.

I always tell people you have to be patient with a large reimagining like the project in Franklin Lakes. Getting variances, permits, picking out materials – it’s a process that takes time and we as a company are set up to handle all aspects of it and walk clients through it. Our patience and professionalism really sets CLC apart.

Common Landscape Design Challenges in Bergen County (Drainage, Permits & More)

Q: What challenges do you tend to encounter when doing a large project like the Franklin Lakes one?
A: Drainage is always a huge, huge factor in every job we do. It’s important that people hire a licensed landscape architect and eventually an engineer to address it. Nobody likes to pay for drainage because you don’t see it. But what good is having a beautiful patio if it’s always settling because there’s water sitting under it? The infrastructure needs to be done correctly.

Another challenge is working with towns when it comes to lot coverage or variances, if needed. You have to know the town ordinances and be able to interpret them. At CLC, we have a full-time employee that handles permits and variances so it’s a smooth process.