Combining Driftwood & Stonework

This retaining wall was built in the heart of Victoria, British Columbia’s, Oak Bay District. The majority of the stone used in the rebuilding of the retaining wall was native to the original stone wall. I added several dozen large ‘Grey Ice’ stones and a variety of river rocks which were sourced from Jordan River, B.C. I also incorporated a piece of driftwood with the river rocks as a means of creating a border between the neighbour’s stone retaining wall and the newly constructed one.

I built several coves into the stonework to act as placeholders for planters and candles, etc., as the homeowner had several children and I thought they might appreciate the coves, making the wall functional and interactive.

The stone retaining wall was built to appear as a dry-stacked stone wall but is actually mortared in place from behind and was mortared along the top for safety purposes and to keep any roots out. Drainage pipe, drain rock, and landscape fabric were also placed behind the structure of the wall to ensure that it remains standing for the generations to come. I then built a wooden handrail out of rough-cut cedar and placed it into a bed of concrete to support pedestrian traffic along the stairway.

If you happen to find yourself on Beechwood Avenue in Victoria, BC, keep an eye out for this stone wall, explore it’s many intricacies, and please send me any photos that you may be inspired to take via our Contact Page.

Please visit our Masonry Blog and our Gallery page to view some of our other completed projects.

Thank you,

Sean Lennox

Lennox Masonry

Lennox Masonry of Victoria, BC has been proudly serving both Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands for over a decade. We are small group of skilled masons with a great deal of passion towards our trade and for improving the communities we live and work in. We extend our gratitude to the lək̓ʷəŋən people for allowing us to share and work on this corner of the garden with them. We are thankful for the residents and businesses of Victoria, BC for supporting us in our endeavors!

If you’re in need of a professional and reliable masonry company for your next project, please contact us today!