Erin Robertson Design

This landscape project in Hillsdale, NY was a renovation to a pool landscape that was built in the 1980's. The new owners asked me to design a covered seating area, a new patio around the pool that would not get hot, an outdoor kitchen convenient to the house and a layout that took advantage of the spectacular views. I also designed new pool fencing to open the view and all of the new gardens to complement the architecture. As a project manager, I oversaw all the new construction from fencing and pergola to masonry, irrigation, lighting and all of the new garden and landscape work. I continue to manage this estate landscape including the gardens and all new landscape projects.

Project Team

Landscape Construction by Jason King, Sheffield, MA

Carpentry by Over Mountain Builders LLC, Millerton, NY

Patio by Gary Albert and Son, Lanesboro, MA

Pool fence by All American Fence, Lee, MA

Irrigation by Berkshire Irrigation, Canaan, NY

Garden Maintenance by Margi Stalker, Great Barrington, MA

Photography by B. Docktor

Houzz

This project was a master landscape plan for a new house that sits on a hillside with an amazing view.  The new owners planned to entertain outdoors and they wanted a pool that would be a focal point in the landscape. The design started with a large patio near the house for dining and entertaining. The dramatic edgeless pool was positioned for maximum effect. Fieldstone walls with steps down through garden terraces connect the pool with the upper patio.  The barbecue and vegetable gardens are located on the middle terrace to be easily accessed from both the pool and the house. Bedroom patios connect to the dining patio with a bluestone path.  Gardens were designed for summer interest with sun loving perennials and ornamental grasses. 

Builder; George Bolen 

Pool by Leisure Pools, Great Barrington, MA

The new owners of this older home on a lake envisioned lots of outdoor spaces for entertaining and playing with their children. We started the landscape design with a new deck that would include a hot tub, outdoor shower, dining and lounge area. They had no garage or basement so I also designed a modern carport with storage attached to the mud room.  Being on a lake required a zoning variance for the structures which I obtained for my clients. 

I designed and drew the construction plans for the 1800 square foot deck and for the carport. We used a helical pier foundation system to deal with the high water table. My clients had great ideas and knew what they liked which made our meetings fun and kept the project running smoothly. 

Bart DeRocha Builder, Copake, NY

My first landscape project at this residence started with designing a new planting for the entry garden. The new home owners desired a garden with more color, texture and seasonal interest. We removed all the Juniper shrubs, reshaped the garden beds and I designed the new garden with flowering shrubs, ornamental grasses and lots of colorful perennials.  

The Team:

Garden installation by Garden Tenders, Hillsdale, NY

Garden Maintenance by Margi Stalker, Great Barrington, MA

Irrigation by Berkshire Irrigation, Canaan, NY

Plants purchased at Behn's Best Perennials, Malden Bridge, NY and Ward's Nursery, Great Barrington, MA

I designed this garden and the stonework as a feature to enhance a simple grass path through a meadow that leads to a tennis court. The fieldstone walls create planting terraces and frame the bluestone steps. The soil is a wet clay which is difficult for most plants. I designed a drainage system to keep the path dry and to protect the wall from frost heaves. I used many native plants that thrive in wet soil to provide color, texture and fragrance.  I drew the plan and plant list, worked with the contractors to estimate the project and I oversaw the building of the stonework, garden bed with drainage and new planting soils. I laid out the plants for the contractor to install. I continue to work with the gardener to make adjustments or expansions to the gardens. 

Exceptional garden maintenance by Margi Stalker of Great Barrington, MA

Garden installation by Garden Tenders of Hillsdale, NY

Wall and steps built by Gary Albert and Son of Lanesboro, MA 

Plants purchased at Behn's Best Perennials, Inc. Malden Bridge, NY

This new house was built on a sunny hillside overlooking farms fields and the Berkshire Mountains. Terraced gardens contain sun loving perennials and ornamental grasses for lots of color and texture.  

I design architectural features such as pergolas, decks, carports and outdoor kitchens. My experience comes from freelancing with architects as an architectural designer / draftsperson.  My design services include construction drawings to obtain building permits, cost estimates and purchase material lists as well as project management.  

The design possibilities are endless when working with stone. We can walk on it, sit on it, hold up gardens with it and we can fill it with water, fire or flowers. We always love to look at it.  

There is an abundance of wonderful stone and talented stone masons in our area who can build enduring, beautiful stone features. 

My job in designing stonework is to know the materials and the best type of construction methods to build strong lasting structures. I visit local stone yards to choose the stones and I work with stone masons to achieve the desired effects.  My construction drawings are used for estimates, contractor bidding and quality control. 

Water gardens are lovely features in the landscape. They can be as small as a depression in a stone or as large as a natural stream. I am always looking for the opportunity to add a water feature to my designs. The most natural designs take advantage of existing water on the site. 

A potager garden (pronounced pot-ah-jay) is a French term for an ornamental kitchen garden. My kitchen garden is always a combination of food and flowers. I enjoy helping new gardeners learn to grow food - especially children!  I practice organic methods and use local materials. I am available to design and oversee the building of a vegetable or a potager garden for you to enjoy your own food and flowers.