Double sided walls are perhaps the best known examples of dry stone masonry and offer so many functions. Professionally built, they can last for well over a century.

Retaining walls comprise a great deal of dry stone masonry. Its important to know the physics and engineering of how to stabilize a grade change properly. 

Stonework provides what landscape designers refer to as "the bones” or the skeleton of a gardenscape. The benefits of formal or organic stonework is immeasurable and helps to reflect the personality of the unique place which is what makes gardening so fun.

One of the most gratifying experiences in dry stone masonry is restoring a historic wall to its original glory. Home owners are generally shocked at how much stone is available, having settled into the ground underneath leaf litter over decades or centuries. This can be an inexpensive way to greatly enhance a landscape. Jamie has been hired by Towns to do restoration work on historically significant preserved properties.

Slate is an amazing medium to work in. Its compressed fine grain allows us to mine and split it into thin yet strong pieces that lend themselves to sculpture through creating shapes by building in layers. What is most appealing to the human eye, is witnessing the hundreds and hundreds of decisions and choices made to create an appealing mosaic of craftsmanship. Slate sculpture makes a wonderful addition to a gardenspace. The slate heritage on the Vermont, New York border is the largest source of slate products in the US.

A properly built dry stone foundation gives a barn or outbuilding immediate age and sense of place. It speaks of a different aesthetic than poured cement and is generally much cheaper.

Excellent dry stone masonry speaks for itself, it provides unique representation and a sense of place. Through consultation and group brainstorming with clients, one of a kind expression is generated.

Firespaces come in so many ways and can have widely unique characteristics depending on the individual situation, and they’re fun to create.

Jamie was delighted to team up with Studio Roji to help create gardens that exhibit a reverence for nature and contemplation. (all photos by Kathryn Wyatt)