October 2023

The Builder and His Skeleton Crew

Preston Keen, the builder of this brand spanking new home in Wrightsville Beach, wishes you all a Happy Halloween. At just 8 years old he is a bit young to take on such a huge project, but the spooks, spiders and skeletons are an ambitious crew and Preston is a talented kid. His dad Adam shares:

“Preston is wise and funny and kind and so smart … and also proud of his house.” 

Preston may look familiar to you. As a four-year-old, he starred in several Stone Garden TV ads, produced by Ned Leary Photography. Preston played the part of a weekend warrior, a mini mason and a pond specialist. Here’s a taste of his acting skills. Don’t miss his other videos at the end of this article.

Click Here to Watch

Adam and Casey Keen, their three young children and rescue dog Honeybun, recently moved into a new home. For twelve years the couple lived nearby in a tiny 1,200 square-foot rental cottage, built in 1954. They dreamed of exactly where and how to raise their family. Adam tells us:

“We wanted a beautiful home surrounded by beautiful landscape.”

The goal was to create a home and garden that is not only aesthetically pleasing and safe for the children, but also low-maintenance and indestructible …. well, tough enough to handle the vigor of youthful energy. This led to their choice of materials for the hardscape, artfully installed by Levy’s Landscaping.

The front pathway holds ten significant pieces of patterned-cut bluestone, separated by 3/8” River Jax and bordered with aluminum edging.

Throughout the yard, decorative pebbles like these 1”-2” River Rounds are used to mulch the beds.

Beneath the oversized deck, a patterned bluestone patio adds color and texture and is a great contrast between the concrete driveway and the greenery. To the right, under the tree, the Skeleton Crew takes a lunch break.

The house is flanked by stepping stone pathways enlivened with mondo grass joints. Palm trees frame the fence line and River Round pebbles form a dry creek bed to highlight the lush greenery. A dedicated pathway leads to an outdoor shower.

“We wanted it to be clean and classic in the front but, when you walk through the breezeway, you are stunned by the private and modern space in the back. You don’t feel as though you are on Wrightsville Beach.”

Synthetic turf was selected to keep the back yard clean and maintenance-free. The ingenious use of three Bluestone steps imbedded in the turf ties it all together. The covered outdoor room makes a welcoming space where the children can spend time with their friends painting art projects, playing games or enjoying lunch. The comfortable furniture provides the adults with a cozy place to relax and unwind.

“Our home is just like us: we live simply, but elegantly. Working with a great team we have been able to realize our dream of the perfect place to raise our family.”

That Team:

– Jason Harrell of New Orlean’s based architecture firm, Harrell A.D.C. designed the home. He’s Adam’s childhood friend and Preston’s godfather.

– Bruce and Dickie Spears of Gulfstream Builders helped Preston build the house.

– Sarah Scott of Sarah Scott Designs was the interior designer.

– Drew Holmgren of Holmgren Luxury Exterior Design planned the landscaping.

– Lior Levy and his team from Levy’s Landscaping realized those plans.

“They say it takes a village, and we had a lot of cooks in the kitchen on this project. In fact, we had an army,” says Adam who is grateful for all their talents and two long years of hard work.

Happy Halloween from the Builder and his Skeleton Crew!

Art in the Arboretum 

Roscoe the Rock Snake came alive at the annual Art in the Arboretum event, October 13-15th. The Roscoe project, sponsored by 4-H Club, grew to a wonderfully colorful extent, thanks to the child artists and Mexican Beach pebbles donated by Stone Garden. Stop by and visit Roscoe in his new home on the putting green in Stone Garden’s Inspiration Garden on Market Street.

Who Needs Pineapples?

An creative customer created something completely different for her column cap finials.  These cast stone Ammonites* from Campania look incredible.  See other great garden art on our website. Find easy links to our catalogue collections and stain colors on the Garden Accents.

*Ammonites are fossils that died out over 60 million years ago.  Visit our gift shop to see the real deal.

Happy Halloween from all of us at Stone Garden!