The grain patterns move from stone to stone across the entire patio.

Stone Patio

Grain Patterns on Stone Patio

A large scale project requiring the construction of a flagstone sidewalk over Cherry tree roots. Custom wrought iron was put in after 18 ft tall holly and magnolia trees were planted with no collateral damage. 4 weeks, July 2009.

Iron Gates

Flagstone Sidewalk

This grotto was built as a terrace/sitting area with found stone and pea gravel. May, 2010. 2 days.

Grotto View 3

This charming small garden was built to solve drainage issues and impart a French feel. The steps and terraces are made of found stone and found (recycled) concrete. The concrete had been an old parking pad that was removed and used to build the vegetable planter (with buff type S mortar), terrace steps and walls. The stone work was built from stone we recycled on site and mortared with buff type S. The Blue “barn” door was made from the old, undersized pergola we destroyed. The paving is crushed local pea gravel with an extensive underground drainage system made from fabric, gravel, and pipe, all properly sized. 2 weeks, Jan 2010.

Elevated Stone Patio

Elevated Stone Patio in the French Style

Stone Garden

Blue Barn Door

“From the start of our working relationship I have been extremely impressed with John Russell’s enthusiasm, knowledge and professionalism. He worked with me, listened to what I had pictured for our backyard and made that dream a reality. Along with his aesthetic sense John displayed an acute understanding of the technical issues that arise in landscaping. He detected a couple of engineering issues (a leaning brick column and an poor drainage system) and was able to quickly and efficiently solve them. John is also very committed to the project; he was at the job site almost everyday and easy to contact. My husband and I love our new yard and would recommend (and have recommended) John for any project.” – Boullay

We built this drainage swale with old (recycled) concrete and fabric. 4 hours, June 2010.

Stone Drainage Swale

“John Russell and his well-trained staff did an excellent job with my drainage problem. Their work was imaginative, artistic, on time and within budget. John and his staff are professional, courteous and attentive, and John is very talented and knowledgeable about his work in which he takes a real personal interest. I appreciate the very fine job they did and would be glad to have them on future projects.” – Whitaker

This drainage structure was built to catch water off the hill. It is made of Tennessee blue facing stone, Selma Brown riverrock, Terra cotta pipe, found native sandstone boulders, and mortar. Partial day.

Drainage Structe to Catch Water off the Hill

These steps are made of Alabama sandstone slab with found native boulders. No mortar was used. One day.

Alabama Sandstone Slab

This is called the rainbow wall for its form. The wall arches back against the slope as well at vertically. This double arch adds structural integrity to the wall. The end-caps for this wall were made of native found boulders. The wall is made of Tennessee blue facing stone and mortar. The cap is cut Tennessee Blue Stone with mortar. Two days.

Rainbow Wall with Double Arches

This mailbox was built of Oneonta buff facing stone and buff type s mortar. The drainage area was built of Selma brown riverrock and native found sandstone. One plus days.

Stone Mailbox

“…we just love all of the work you and your crew did for us… Working with John and his entire crew was an absolute pleasure. From our very first meeting, we knew exactly what to expect, and when to expect it. John had a terrific feel for what we were trying to accomplish, and provided very good suggestions as the project progressed. The end result turned out much better than we had anticipated. – Kassan

Recently, Russell Design was responsible for the construction a large brick monument sign I designed near the entrance to Lawson State Community College in Birmingham. The plans developed for this project included a rather intricate patterns of brick and limestone work that were challenging to construct. Russell Design did a fabulous job in following the plans and construction details that resulted in the best looking and well built signs of any of the four similar monument signs already constructed on campus. The final product was artfully constructed by the construction crew. Hats off to Russell Design for a job that was professionally managed, completed well within the allotted construction period and resulted in a very happy client. As a landscape architect, I highly recommend using Russell Design on your next project if skill and quality workmanship are what you are looking to attain.

-Dale Fritz, Landscape Architect

The wall, steps and patio were built of old (found and recycled) concrete, gravels, pipe, and type S buff mortar. The steps were cut from an old existing concrete pad on site. The bottom pad was grouted with 8910 gravel and will have soil and creeper plants put in. The job took 3 days.

Stone Steps Built with Recycled Material

“This is the second job John has done for me and he executed on time and on budget exactly what we agreed to. Even on small jobs such as mine, John gives big and beautiful results.”
-Lyla
Crestwood Alabama

This wall was built of old (recycled) concrete, found moss rock boulders, gravel, pipe, mesh and fabric. No mortar was used. Terra cotta pipe was used in the inflow layer. The entire wall is a drainage structure with large rocks capping the face.

Recycked Wall with Drainage System

Recycked Wall with Drainage System

Customer Comments:

“…that my wife was actually excited about the retaining wall after looking at it yesterday speaks volumes about the work you guys did. “

“My experience with John Russell and his team was stellar from beginning to end. I consulted with two companies, as well as doing my own extensive research, prior to speaking with John Russell about the replacement of a fifty foot long retaining wall at my home. Within 15 minutes of John being on my property he had diagnosed the root cause of my current retaining wall’s failure, a diagnosis that neither the other two companies nor I had made. This alone prevented me from instituting a costly solution that ultimately would not have solved my problem.

John was mindful from the beginning of my budget and created a design that fit within that threshold. His team had several projects ahead of me on their work list but John was incredibly proactive in keeping me updated on the projected start date of my project. Once his team began they adhered to their promise of “one job at a time” by completing a full day’s work until the job was finished.

Throughout the process it was John’s unique approach to the project that resonated with me. From the initial plan of incorporating used concrete chunks in the retaining wall, to the onsite decision of utilizing natural stone and boulders already at my residence, the ability to think outside the box proved to be economical (and in the case of the stone improved both the structural integrity and aesthetics of the wall). John even incorporated spare brick from my home’s original construction into a newly installed curb which made its addition look seamless. The thorough clean-up, including pressure washing, of the job site before leaving was impressive.

From start to finish working with John Russell was a 180 degree difference from the typically frustrating/stressful home contractor or landscape company experience. I will never embark on another mid or large scale landscaping project without consulting John Russell first, and I would strongly recommend you do not either.”
- Jonathan Millican

Dear John,

Let me thank you for the beautiful transformation of our yard. Your creative ideas combined with your professional crew made working with you a pleasure. We have recieved many compliments from friends and neighbors. Thank you again.

Susan and Pete Klyce

This wall was built of old concrete, found sandstone, an old wall, mortar, gravel, mesh and fabric. Terra cotta pipe was used in the inflow layer. The entire wall is a drainage structure.

Drainage Structure in Wall

Customer Comments:
“John, it has been a year now since you and your team completed our beautiful environmentally created wall behind the pool…our neighbors are in awe of the transformation of our backyard…We couldn’t be more pleased and it wouldn’t have happened without the creativity and genius of you and your team. Thank you thank you thank you.”
- Susan and Tennant

Customer Comments:
I wanted to thank you and your crew for all the incredible work you did for me and Jim. You far exceeded any expectations we had, and we truly feel like this was the best money we ever spent. Not only did you solve our drainage problems, but you turned our yard into a thing of beauty. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated your knowledge, your visions, your attention to detail, and your multi-talented hard working crew. We feel privileged to have worked with you. Please don’t lose touch with us!
-Allyson Peeler

This garden gate, arbor, fence structure was built to enclose a newly reconstructed backyard. The vitex and camellia were left in place and pruned to look natural. 2 days, June 2009.

Wood Arbor and Fence

Stone Wall Drainage System

Aged Sidewalk

Head Wall

To prospective clients of John Russell,

When we purchased our home, our backyard area was a big concern. It was an oddly shaped space with a terrible drainage problem. We were unsure of what to do to correct the drainage issue and to create an outdoor space that our family could enjoy. We did lots of homework before deciding on John Russell.

John spent several hours at our home with us during our consultation and really made sure that he had captured exactly what we wanted in his plan for our backyard. We were absolutely thrilled with his design! It is so unique and unlike anything we had ever seen before.

The very next week, John’s crew began construction on our project. The quality that stood out with John and his crew was their professionalism. We always felt confident that John would get the job done right and that is exactly what he did. His crew was on time each and every day and worked diligently all day long. At the end of each day, all of the equipment was put away and they always made sure to pick up anything out of place. They were truly a joy to work with.

It has now been five months since John completed our project. We have thoroughly enjoyed our space and we will for many years to come. We knew that we would be pleased with the outcome, but John and his crew exceeded all expectations. We have a beautiful area for our family and our drainage problem is completely corrected. John still stops by every now and then to check on the plantings and to make sure we are still happy with everything.

We couldn’t be happier!

We will most definitely work with John again in the future and highly recommend him for any job, large or small.

-Abby and Matt Valas

This project was very ecological. We busted up the front driveway into 2’x 2’ chunks and used it build walls and terraces in the back yard. We cut up the sidewalk in front to create serpentine stairs. All rock used was from stone found on site. The entire landscape functions as a drainage structure. Buff concrete was used to create the new front driveway and parking areas. We also designed and built a covered porch and fireplace on site. Plantings were used to enframe the space and hold the slopes.

Customer comments:
For years our family had always hated summer for two reasons, one Alabama weeds love the humid weather and rain always caused drainage problems. John Russell not only addressed both issues, but made the yard our sanctuary. He even recycled our old cracked driveway as retaining walls in the uphill back. He softened the look with the addition of stones his crew retrieved from our creek. I am happy to say our yard, both front and back are now not only functional, but beautiful. With John’s direction we added a screened in porch complete with a fireplace. A great place for entertaining when our grown children return for a meal. I must also add that his crew are all pleasant and kind people.
-Patty Wilson