Landscape Redeemed
With subtle improvements as well as conspicuous ones, the outdoor upgrade at a Colts Neck home goes the whole nine yards.
Design by Total Concepts
Photography by Daniel Iannuzzelli
Text by Darius Amos
After a couple of years living in their five-bedroom Colts Neck home, owners Alfred and Nicole Colantoni decided it was time for a change. To an outsider the exterior of their house was streamlined and orderly, but the couple was hoping for subtle improvements that made a big difference. That’s when, in fall 2023, they reached out to the landscaping firm Total Concepts in Colts Neck.
“They wanted to redo the front and rear of their home,” says Ken Lerner, the company’s CEO. “They weren’t quite sure what they wanted, so they showed us what they love, what they hate and what looked pretty to them. After that, we were able to come up with a design that was appropriate for them.”
Trees that had previously surrounded the pool patio were moved to the property line, providing better access to the lawn. After the project was complete, the homeowner hired Total Concepts for year-round property maintenance.
The front yard was the first phase of the project. To boost curb appeal, the Total Concepts team erected stone entrance pillars and replaced Belgium blocks around the driveway. It widened the driveway near an existing detached garage, allowing the homeowners and their guests to park side by side rather than one behind the other. Lighting and irrigation systems also were replaced, and landscaping was updated.
In the backyard, bluestone pavers were installed around the pool and continue along the path to the driveway.
The backyard, which was phase two, already had good bones, though some of its features showed signs of aging. The pool, for instance, posed the biggest challenge. “There was a leak around the pool,” Lerner recalls, “so we spent a lot of time excavating around it. We ended up pressurizing and putting in new piping around the pool. We also added new tile and plaster.”
While visitors won’t see the new pipes, they do notice the new fenced-in patio around the pool. The old concrete surface was replaced with bluestone pavers, and the same material was used to create a brighter pathway connecting the patio and driveway. For all-weather enjoyment, a new pergola with an electronic awning was installed over the patio that leads from the home to the pool area.
Total Concepts in Colts Neck performed a facelift on the front and rear yards of this home in the same town. An updated irrigation system keeps new front-yard landscaping lush and green.
Landscaping was also a big part of the backyard plan. Trees were removed from directly around the pool patio and moved to the perimeter of the property. This lightened the space and gave better access to the grass. “They liked something that was well groomed and had a natural, flowing feel,” Lerner says. “We cleared the trees for their kids, who like to play on the lawn. Then we planted certain trees on the property line for privacy, like 35-foot-tall green arborvitae, as well as other flowering plants. And we selected larger, more focal plants and incorporated those into the design as well.”
How did the homeowners respond to the Total Concepts’ work? “They hired us back to work with them 12 months a year for landscaping and other services,” Lerner says.
Homeowner Alfred Colantoni adds: “Their thoughtful, well-designed landscaping and hardscaping have significantly enhanced the look, livability and value of my property. From day one, their vision, craftsmanship and attention to detail have elevated my entire exterior environment.”
