Outdoor Lighting At RLS, we
exclusively install
CAST® Lighting
products. These are
the finest, most
advanced, and
durable fixtures and
components
available. RLS
Landscape and
Nursery adds expert
installation using
our skilled,
CAST-trained
workers.
Why add landscape
lighting?
Low-voltage lighting
provides a
beautiful, safe,
secure, and
welcoming
environment.
• Security –
Strategically placed
low voltage lights
provide low levels
of even
illumination. No
shadows!
• Safety – Ensure
that you and your
visitors can safely
navigate around your
property after dark.
• Usability – Extend
the use of your
private areas into
the evening.
• Beauty –
Accentuate the
shapes and textures
of your landscape
and its structures.
• Economy – Low
voltage light
systems consume
about 1/3rd the
electricity of
conventional
lighting.
CAST fixtures are
constructed of
handmade, solid,
cast
bronze—impervious to
corrosion and
physical abuse.
Aluminum, polyester
powder coatings,
plastic, and even
copper of
retail-quality
fixtures will fail
while bronze retains
its integrity.
Let our designers
put lighting to work
in your landscape.
We have the
expertise to
position optimal
light sources to
your greatest
advantage. Combine
the CAST warranty
with our
satisfaction
guarantee—and add
value to your home.
Creating a
Poolscape
You dream of a pool
in your backyard -
your own private spa
- but where do you
begin, especially
when the yard has a
slope that might be
more suitable for
downhill skiing?
Understanding the
grade, and making it
work to the owners'
advantage, is the
first order of
business. In this
project, the family
needed adequate
patio space for
lounge chairs, patio
sets and a cabana.
With three stories
and loads of
windows, pulling the
view into the
interior of the home
was an important
feature of the
project. RLS
Landscape designer,
Danielle Knoll
drafted a landscape
plan that included
tiered retaining
walls, carefully
positioned steps and
generous paving
areas to make the
pool area accessible
and functional. The
plan served as a
basis for proposed
installation costs
and allowed the
owners to budget.
Danielle and RLS
founder and owner,
Rick Splittgerber
partnered with Cada
Pools of St.
Charles, on this
project. Everything
needed to be
coordinated closely
as demolition and
construction began.
Changes were made
along the way as the
owners requested a
fire pit and
additional
evergreens for
screening.
After the poured
concrete pool had
cured, work on
dry-laid stone walls
began. The crew
carefully prepared a
secure base that
would provide proper
drainage. The pool
decking area was
leveled and tamped
down. Rick and
Danielle continued
to work with the
client on plant
choices and paver
colors and patterns.
As work proceeded,
it became apparent
how the new grade
would function in
the space. A series
of levels allowed
for a generous open
area for pool,
decking and cabana,
and a cozy,
below-grade seating
area covered by a
pergola—all
sheltered by tiered
retaining walls with
plantings.
The result is a
fully usable space
for adults and
children, suitable
for large or small
get-togethers. The
view from inside the
home is stunning,
and continually
beckons the family
to go outside and
play.
Landscape Renovation A referral from
a previous client
brought this project
to the attention of
Rick Splittgerber,
founder and owner of
RLS. Although the
property was fully
landscaped, the
owners stressed that
they were not
pleased with the
results. They were
hesitant to add yet
more landscaping,
but knew that they
needed to make
changes.
Upon Rick's review
of the property, the
owners agreed that
many plants had
grown out of their
allotted spaces and
that the general
appearance was much
too cluttered and
disorganized. Adding
to the confusion,
four different kinds
of hardscaping
materials had been
used - brick pavers,
flagstone pavers,
outcropping stone
and boulders. With a
concrete walkway and
an asphalt driveway,
the various paving
surfaces only served
to detract from the
beautiful home and
its setting.
Rick reviewed the
property with
designer Danielle
Knoll who then set
to work drafting a
plan that would
address the
problems. Danielle's
initial concept was
to simplify the
foundation plantings
with accents of
color and texture.
She also recommended
using boulders
throughout the
landscape instead of
a mixture of various
materials. This
meant that an
existing boulder
wall could remain
intact, while others
would be added.
One of the biggest
challenges was how
to address the long
concrete walkway.
Replacing the walk
was discussed, along
with the types of
materials that would
be most suitable for
the house. It was
decided that a
subdued color would
be the best choice.
Rick and Danielle
suggested
resurfacing the
existing concrete
with a natural
vintage paver. It
would add a formal
appearance to the
entrance and
eliminate the need
to remove the
existing concrete.
Homeowners were
pleased with all the
ideas, and with few
adjustments
renovation
commenced.
First, all
salvageable material
was removed. This
included several
large birch trees,
which were relocated
to the side yard
where they could
assist with
screening. Viburnum
and Hydrangea that
had already grown
much too large for
their space, were
relocated to areas
where they would not
require inevitable
pruning.
Outcropping stone
was relocated to the
back yard where it
assisted with soil
retention.
Miscellaneous plants
had to be scrapped
entirely - suffering
Holly, a motley
mixture of daylilies
of various heights,
and groundcover
Juniper that was no
longer very
ornamental. Although
the owners expressed
their dismay at
their demise,
Danielle helped to
keep them focused on
the task at hand.
She gently reminded
them that not every
plant could be
successfully reused
while still keeping
everything looking
in tip-top shape.
Next began
construction of the
boulder walls that
faced all sides of
the long concrete
stairway. Plant
materials were
added, including
Concolor Fir,
Boxwood, and Itea
for spectacular fall
color. Masses of
perennials were used
throughout such as
Hakone Grass and
Lady's Mantle,
making for a
restrained and
calming look.
Container plantings
at the front door
would provide
seasonal color
accents.
Vintage pavers
turned out
especially fitting —
for the house and
for the setting.
What had previously
been a utilitarian
sidewalk became a
stylish and dramatic
part of the
landscape.
Rick turned his
attention to other
areas of the
property. The crew
built an attractive
lattice screen for
the air conditioning
units, planted vines
for the pergola,
relocated roses,
grasses and
perennials in the
back yard.
The owners were
delighted with the
imaginative
solutions, prompt
service and
attentive crew, and
began to discuss
developing the back
yard to include a
pool scape.
We look forward to
seeing the new ideas
begin to take shape.
Be sure to check
back to see how this
project develops.
New Construction
New construction in
an established
neighborhood has the
advantage of having
mature landscaping,
but how do you
preserve and
integrate those
lovely old plants
into the new
residence?
This family enjoyed
watching baby pine
and hemlock mature
into magnificent
trees over the
eighteen years they
lived in their home.
Choosing to rebuild
on the same
property, they
sought to preserve
the trees they had
become so fond of.
Prior to
construction,
Albertson’s Trees
arrived with its 90
inch tree spade to
move the endangered
plants along
property edges,
while the foundation
and septic were
being installed.
Meanwhile RLS
designer, Pat
Hollingsworth and
the owners developed
a plan that would
give the property a
graceful entry,
desired privacy for
the owners, and a
patio to enjoy the
beautiful back yard.
The owners wisely
desired to avoid the
planting of
excessive shrubbery
along the foundation
of the house. What
was there to
obscure? It was,
indeed, a beautiful
building. The owners
were well aware of
the pruning and
maintenance that
would result from
over-planting, and
did not wish to
repeat the
landscaping
experiences of their
first home.
While construction
continued inside the
new home, the RLS
crew arrived to
begin the new patio
which would include
a seating wall,
pathway and steps to
join the second
floor deck.
As the patio
proceeded,
additional soil was
brought in to raise
the grade as needed,
and to aid in proper
drainage.
Owners chose
Brussels block paver
in a sandstone
color. Pat suggested
an inlay in a
contrasting color to
visually reinforce
the simple but
elegant exterior
arc. The seat walls
were kept low so as
to be functional but
not to overpower the
space. The walls
were not to be “on
stage”, but the
backyard was. A low
broad step
connecting the patio
to the lower level
walk-out was built
to be in scale with
the doors and the
broad open views.
While grading
continued the crew
began the hard work
of moving and
replanting the
owner’s trees. More
trees - including
three 18 ft pines -
shrubs, roses and
perennials were
added as the
landscape plan on
paper began to take
shape on the ground.
The expansive back
yard was seeded with
a bright green
blanket that would
promote successful
germination, but
disintegrate as the
lawn began to grow.
Gradually the crew
worked their way to
the front of the
yard with their
tools and equipment,
taking time to water
thirsty plants and
remove debris as
needed.
Sod was laid in the
front yard and mulch
was spread over in
the planting beds.
The landscape began
to take on a
finished look.
Beautiful views and
graceful curves
appeared like magic.
Once again Pat and
owners met to review
the end result and
discuss continuing
care and
maintenance. The
owners were amazed
at the
transformation.
The next phase –
watching their
plantings bloom and
grow – will provide
them with much
pleasure and will
last for years to
come.
A Front Entry
"Facelift"
Architects and
contractors view
building entrances
from an entirely
different vantage
point than landscape
professionals. While
architects are
concerned with
interior space,
landscapers look at
exterior space.
Where these two
areas meet are of
primary importance
to the homeowner—and
unfortunately, often
need to be addressed
after construction.
These homeowners
knew they had to do
something about the
entrance to their
new home. When a
make-shift step
began to settle and
tilt, they knew it
had to be sooner,
rather than later.
They sought the
advice of RLS
consultant Roberta
Stewart. Roberta
pointed out that
there were more
issues than the
repair of a sagging
step. The existing
stoop was out of
proportion with the
elegant façade of
the home and its
imposing entrance
canopy. With Unilock®
wall stone, these
issues could be
addressed without
the removal of the
concrete stoop upon
which the canopy
rested.
Roberta prepared a
proposal which
included demolition
of the existing walk
and step, plans to
correct drainage
problems from nearby
downspouts, and
grading. She sought
to create an
"outside foyer" at
the entrance of the
home by using a red
brick paver that
matched the exterior
brick of the home.
This brick "area
rug" would become
the focal point of
the entry —perfect
for the transition
from outside to
inside.
As the crew began to
assemble the new
entrance, Roberta
oversaw construction
to ensure that every
detail came together
according to plan.
Once the steps and
walkway were
completed, RLS
provided basic
foundation plants
along with some
ideas for tree
placement that could
be implemented at a
later time.
The final result did
far more than fix a
sagging step. With
wise use of
materials, the front
stoop was both
widened and
deepened, bringing
it up to the proper
scale and same
quality as the
architecture of the
building—and just in
time to welcome a
large family
gathering at
Thanksgiving.
An Outdoor Room
This young family
inherited
landscaping with
their home that was
just not working for
them. The back yard,
especially, did not
function very well
for their furniture
or for their family.
The initial
approaches to
landscaping at the
time the subdivision
was built, appeared
to be typically
budget-conscious and
not always well
thought out.
Although the owners
would have preferred
to start from
scratch, it was not
practical to do so.
They were referred
by friends to Pat
Hollingsworth, a
landscape designer
for RLS who met with
them to assess the
yard and plan a new
approach.
The oddly-shaped
deck with steep wide
steps, was of
primary concern. The
open steps seemed to
draw attention to
the yard's least
desirable views, and
made them feels as
is they were "on
stage". The owners
preferred a seating
area that would be
cozy and more
sheltered from view.
The back yard was
also bordered by
five neighbors, each
with their own
approach to
landscaping.
Although some
features were
definitely
advantageous, others
were not. They were
at loss for how to
go about renovating
their backyard to
coordinate with the
diverse planting
schemes of their
multiple neighbors.
Along with some
relatively minor and
painless front yard
adjustments, Pat
suggested correcting
some of the deck's
flaws by relocating
and rebuilding the
steps and portions
of the railing. A
trellis to support
Clematis was also
suggested in order
to add privacy while
taking up very
little space. Pat
referred them to Bob
Schaefer of
Nantucket Trellises
in Downer's Grove
who handled all
carpentry.
An additional
seating area was
proposed at ground
level, to be
bordered by a low
planter box and seat
wall. This would
support the new
patio on the sloping
ground. With limited
access, all
materials would need
to be brought back
by hand.
Pat also provided a
plan and proposal
for landscape
lighting. During
construction, PVC
pipe was laid so the
wiring could be
added at a later
time.
With the new patio,
deck and trelliage
prominently visible
from the kitchen and
living areas inside
the home, the family
can now enjoy the
enhanced views in
all seasons, inside
and out.
Creating a
Poolscape
You dream of a pool
in your backyard -
your own private spa
- but where do you
begin, especially
when the yard has a
slope that might be
more suitable for
downhill skiing?
Understanding the
grade, and making it
work to the owners'
advantage, is the
first order of
business. In this
project, the family
needed adequate
patio space for
lounge chairs, patio
sets and a cabana.
With three stories
and loads of
windows, pulling the
view into the
interior of the home
was an important
feature of the
project. RLS
Landscape designer,
Danielle Knoll
drafted a landscape
plan that included
tiered retaining
walls, carefully
positioned steps and
generous paving
areas to make the
pool area accessible
and functional. The
plan served as a
basis for proposed
installation costs
and allowed the
owners to budget.
Danielle and RLS
founder and owner,
Rick Splittgerber
partnered with Cada
Pools of St.
Charles, on this
project. Everything
needed to be
coordinated closely
as demolition and
construction began.
Changes were made
along the way as the
owners requested a
fire pit and
additional
evergreens for
screening.
After the poured
concrete pool had
cured, work on
dry-laid stone walls
began. The crew
carefully prepared a
secure base that
would provide proper
drainage. The pool
decking area was
leveled and tamped
down. Rick and
Danielle continued
to work with the
client on plant
choices and paver
colors and patterns.
As work proceeded,
it became apparent
how the new grade
would function in
the space. A series
of levels allowed
for a generous open
area for pool,
decking and cabana,
and a cozy,
below-grade seating
area covered by a
pergola—all
sheltered by tiered
retaining walls with
plantings.
The result is a
fully usable space
for adults and
children, suitable
for large or small
get-togethers. The
view from inside the
home is stunning,
and continually
beckons the family
to go outside and
play.