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July 29, 2009

Adding Art to Your Garden

Filed under: Landscape Design & Installation, Landscaping/Outdoor, Services — Tags: , , , , — Kathleen @ 1:38 pm

“As strongly as I feel about the power and value of art, I do not agree with those who treat it as something ethereal, something to be venerated in seclusion … Art should inhabit the places we inhabit.” – James Van Sweden

Many landscape architects view gardens as works of art. A well-designed landscape, just like a beautiful work of art, makes use of all the tools and elements (light, temperature, water, stone, steel, and organic and geological forms) available to bring to life a designer’s vision in a way that is polished and integrated. And just like all the other elements used to create a landscape, art must be fully integrated into the landscape design so that it becomes a part of the surroundings. Just look at how beautifully the sculpture below compliments this Atlanta-area garden!

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Atlanta Landscape Design

When planning a landscape that will include art, consider the following:

  • Seasonal variations: Place artwork where it will look its best throughout changing seasons. Depending upon where you live, seasonal variations will affect foliage, flowers, shade, and light, and these can all have an impact on how your art is viewed in your garden.
  • Materials: Art will look its best when it appears to have emerged from the garden itself, so do consider the materials, textures, and colors that predominate in your landscape when deciding whether to add a piece of art.
  • Location: The way a piece of art is placed within your landscape can change the way the entire garden looks. Well-placed art can make long spaces appear shorter, divert attention from less desirable views, or highlight important features such as seating areas, pathways, or water features.

Any artwork that is to be displayed outdoors should be constructed of materials that are weather tolerant, and should be securely anchored to prevent theft. When properly placed, the right piece of art will increase your – and your visitors’ – enjoyment of your garden for years to come!

July 26, 2009

Resolving Drainage Issues

Filed under: Drainage, Landscape Design & Installation, Landscaping/Outdoor, Services — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Kathleen @ 1:50 pm
Dallas Drainage, Atlanta Drainage

Drainage

You may have a drainage problem around your home if your basement is wet, the yard is flooded periodically, water ponds on your lawn for long periods after rain, or trees and other plants grow poorly. There are a variety of ways that drainage issues can be resolved depending on whether the problem is with surface water (rain) or subsurface water (from the water table). Typical solutions include:

  • Surface Drainage: Properly installed and maintained gutters, downspouts, and drains are critical to ensure that roof water is conducted away from your home’s foundations. Every home should also have a grading and landscaping plan that provides control of all surface water runoff on the lot. Additions to the landscaping plan, maturity of shrubbery, soil erosion and similar changes tend to change drainage patterns and direction, so be sure to discuss this with your landscaping contractor.
  • Subsurface Drainage: Subsurface drainage systems are generally constructed of perforated, corrugated plastic tubing. Called “trench drains” or “French drains,” these tubes drain excess water from the lawn and/or foundations into outlet ditches or storm sewers.

In some cases, a combination of surface and subsurface drainage systems will be needed in order to solve the problem. For example, installing downspouts to control roof water may be adequate to prevent ponding in low areas of your yard. Downspouts can then empty into a subsurface drain or into outlet spreaders installed to discharge water in a thin layer of a grassy area away from the house foundation.

Control of external water around and beneath a house is essential. Mildew, wood-destroying fungi and wet insulation will result when surface water floods or saturates the ground around and under a house. However, with advanced planning and expert advice, you can rest easy knowing your house will remain dry in the wettest weather!

July 23, 2009

Getting Started on Your Patio Design

Filed under: Landscaping/Outdoor, Patio Installation, Services — Tags: , , , , , , , — Kathleen @ 2:19 pm
dallas patios, atlanta patios

Patios

A patio that suits its purpose requires some thought in creating the best patio design with enough space. Patios should be oriented toward the best view of your backyard and take sun and shade into consideration, along with present or future backyard landscaping. Beautiful outdoor rooms can be created with walkways to link your new living spaces.

There are several things to keep in mind when planning a patio:

  • The View: Patios should be situated to highlight the best views in your yard. You may be lucky and have a view of a pond, meadow or a valley. But you could also be looking directly into someone’s back yard. If this is the case, the primary patio view might become the back of your own home and you can consider landscaping the rear wall of your home or incorporating a water feature to add ambience.
  • Compass Direction: Where does the sun rise and set in relation to your home? This will have an impact on whether natural shade will be available when you decide to relax on your patio, or you will be baking in the sun’s rays. If natural shade is not available in your chosen spot, you can consider re-orienting your patio to take advantage of shade from a tree or another part of your home, or creating shade or partial shade with shade shelters and a plethora of different plants and trees.
  • Intended Use: Once you know where you are going to place the patio, it’s important to ensure that you leave enough space to accommodate you and your guests comfortably. The best way to size a patio is to buy the furniture that will be used in this outdoor room, and actually place it on the grass or ground as you intend to arrange it on the finished surface. Sit in the furniture and make spacing adjustments so no one person violates the personal space of another. Use spray paint to carefully mark the outline of the patio directly on the grass or ground, and be sure to allow at least 16 inches behind and on the sides of furniture that is next to the edge of the patio.

Take a look at how the patio we designed and installed for a Dallas-area homeowner takes advantage of the shade provided by the home, while still providing space for enjoying the sunlight. The lounge chairs and dining area are protected from the sun, yet there is still plenty of space for the family’s children to spread out and play on a sunny day. And notice how the four functional areas of the patio – the dining area, the lounge area, the barbecue, and the children’s table – all fit comfortably within the confines of the patio!

With proper planning, you too can create a patio that functions like an outdoor room and extends your enjoyment of your home into your yard.

July 20, 2009

Incorporating Stone into Your Landscape in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

Filed under: Landscaping/Outdoor, Natural Stone, Patio Installation, Pavestone, Retaining Walls — Tags: , , , , , , , — Kathleen @ 7:52 pm
dallas firepits, patio covers

Dallas Firepits, patio covers

The Dallas-Fort Worth area’s humid, subtropical climate means that you can enjoy your yard year-round. Why not expand your outdoor living space and get more out of your time outdoors through the incorporation of stone in your landscaping? Take a look at the work we did for one Dallas-Fort Worth area homeowner. The new stone patio, fireplace, retaining wall, and water feature make the backyard feel like an extension of the home and create a new, outdoor room for entertaining or family meals!

Stone can be used in many functional and decorative ways to enhance patios, pathways, and garden borders, and to construct outdoor structures such as water features, fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, columns, gazebos, and raised planting beds. Why is stone so popular? Because it is attractive, versatile, and available almost anywhere.

Some of the key things to consider when selecting stone are:

  • Material: Both natural stone and pavestone products can be used in landscaping. The choice of stone depends to a large extent upon the look and feel you are trying to achieve with your landscape. Natural stone can be used to create a custom look, or a more natural and rugged feel, whereas pavestone results in a more uniform and structured look.
  • Color: Stones with dark colors may not be the best choice in shaded or dark areas but, instead, brightly colored ones that can brighten the area would be appropriate.
  • Shape: Stones that will be used in steps should be flat with a coarse surface so they will be easy to walk on but not slippery when wet. Stones that will be placed in sitting and dining areas should also be level and not pointy so that tables and chairs will not tilt.

Many people spend hundreds of hours a year making their personal space comfortable and attractive. What sets every home, yard or garden apart is the individual ideas of the homeowner. With an almost endless range of sizes, shapes and colors available, there is a stone to fit every taste and budget.

July 18, 2009

S’mores Anyone?

Filed under: Landscaping/Outdoor, Outdoor Fireplaces, Patio Installation, Services — Tags: , , , , , , , — Kathleen @ 2:55 pm

If you love the idea of an outdoor fireplace but don’t have the budget to build one in your backyard, an outdoor fire pit is a great alternative. Fire pits not only serve as safe methods for building a fire in your backyard, but also as alluring accent pieces to extend the beauty of your home into the outdoors. These days, fire pits are available in a wide range of materials and styles to match your outdoor decore, from small round bowls on pedestal bases, to mosaic or metal “outdoor coffee tables”, to large stone slabs with thick iron legs.

dallas_fort_worth_firepit, patios

Dallas Firepit, Patio Covers

Any time you’re dealing with an open flame you should always be responsible and take the necessary precautions to avoid any accidents. An open fire is a beautiful, warming accent to any yard or garden setting. It is inviting and invigorating as a central point of congregation and socialization. Make sure it is also safe so that you are free to enjoy it without the worry of an unforeseen accident.

Some considerations to keep in mind when deciding where to place your fire pit include:

  • Are there any low-hanging branches to watch out for?
  • Are there patches of dry grass, piles of brush, or other material that might catch a spark?
  • Which direction will the smoke blow?

The idea is to make sure your fire pit is on safe ground, away from potential fire hazards. Concrete or stone patios with open space above are perfect places for fire pits. They provide a solid, stable base that is also flame-resistant. Take a look at the stone patio we designed and installed for one Dallas-Fort Worth area homeowner. It is linked to the main patio where the family dines, but provides a separate and safe area for enjoying fires on cool nights.

July 15, 2009

Landscaping Tips for the Atlanta Area

Filed under: Landscape Design & Installation, Landscaping/Outdoor, Services — Tags: , , — Kathleen @ 10:58 am
Atlanta Retaining Wall

Atlanta Retaining Wall

Spring in the South is truly a sight to behold. Incredible smells and colorful sights will convince you that southern cities like Atlanta are perfect places to develop your landscaping skills. The unique weather patterns of Atlanta hold a variety of benefits that make landscaping a real pleasure. Mild summers, springs, and falls, mixed with short winters, give your landscaping ideas a chance to flourish throughout the year.

There are many landscaping options that will make a dramatic difference in your property’s look and value. But creating an attractive garden means more than coordinating colors and selecting eye-catching varieties of plants. Aesthetics don’t mean much if the plants you select aren’t appropriate for Atlanta’s southern climate.

Atlanta lies in Zone 8 of the USDA Hardiness Zone map. This map, available online, shows low-temperature extremes by Zone and will help you to choose plants best adapted to your Zone and plant them at the right time to increase your chance of success. The average coldest winter temperatures in Zone 8 range from 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning that winters are mild enough to support a wide range of gardening and landscaping options.

Some of our favorite landscaping projects for Atlanta-area homeowners include:

  • Vegetable Gardens: In Atlanta, a favorite landscaping project is growing a sumptuous garden for fresh fruits and vegetables all year round.
  • Flower Beds: Flowers do very well in the optimum environment of Atlanta, making them another popular landscaping idea.
  • Tree Lines: The Atlanta pines are legendary. They compliment any landscaping plan.

Knowing just a little bit about Atlanta’s climate will enable you create a landscape that is beautiful and easy-to-maintain.

July 12, 2009

Synthetic Grass for Homes

Filed under: Artificial Grass, Backyard Putting Greens, Landscaping/Outdoor, Services, Sod — Tags: , , — Kathleen @ 4:18 pm

If you think synthetic grass is just for putting greens and trailer parks, think again! The synthetic grass industry has come a long way in recent years and now there are a wide variety of products available that are difficult to distinguish from a well-manicured, natural grass lawn. Take a look at the synthetic grass that Jessica Alba and Cash Warren installed around the pool. Made from recycled plastic and tires, the lawn saves water, looks real, and eliminates pesticides.

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Why is synthetic grass growing in popularity amongst homeowners?

  • Low maintenance: Synthetic grass requires no mowing, fertilizing, or aerating, saving you hours of time.
  • Less expensive: While synthetic grass is more expensive to install than sod, the cost should be recouped in two to three years with savings on water and lawn maintenance.
  • Saves water: Each square foot of synthetic turf replacing the real thing is estimated to save 55 gallons of water.
  • Environmentally-friendly: Bugs and other insects are not attracted to synthetic grass the way they are a natural lawn, so there is virtually no need for pesticides or other lawn chemicals. This is not only good for the environment, but for children and pets too!

Synthetic grass is manufactured with state of the art technology, made with highly durable polypropolene fibers designed to withstand the damaging effects of sun, rain, and snow. It looks and feels like real grass but without all the constant care a real lawn requires. Unlike the turf used at traditional miniature golf courses, which is made of nylon fibers, polypropolene turf is specifically designed to simulate natural grass.

If you’re frustrated by your lawn and the time it takes to care for it, or if you are concerned for the environment, synthetic grass could be for you. An experienced synthetic grass contractor can install your grass in no time so you can start enjoying your new green lawn!

July 9, 2009

Building Shade Into Your Dallas-Area Landscape

Filed under: Garden Arbors & Pergolas, Landscaping/Outdoor, Services — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Kathleen @ 10:12 am

You’d be surprised how many people forget to incorporate shade into the design of their landscape when first getting started, especially when doing the work themselves. A professional landscape designer would not make that mistake. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s hot climate, unless you want to spend hours admiring your landscape from your home’s air conditioned interior, some form of enveloping shade is a necessity to truly enjoy it.

dallas arbors, dallas patios, dallas firepit

Dallas Patios

There are a number of ways to build shade into your landscape. Three of our favorites include:

  • Trees: Most people tend to plant ornamental trees and shrubs first for their beautiful blossoms and/or foliage. But a good shade tree – or several – is more important and should be one of the cornerstones of your landscape design. Located appropriately (i.e. the southwest corner of the dwelling), trees can not only impart shade, they can also be used to reduce temperatures inside the home – and that can make a big difference to your utility bill.
  • Pergolas: In addition to trees, there are other, man-made options that will create shade as well as enhance the overall look of your garden. Pergolas are a very popular solution for those who want some relief from the sun, but not necessarily total shade. Because pergolas provide shade while allowing some sunlight to come through, they help define an outdoor space without constraining it. Pergolas can be add-ons to your existing architecture at entryways or over decks, or they can be designed to emulate a room. Take a look at the pergola we put in over a Dallas-area patio. Not only does it create a shady spot for the homeowner to enjoy, it creates an outdoor dining room right in the backyard!
  • Arbors: Arbors are open frameworks designed to offer shady resting places in a garden or yard. Arbors are often made of rustic work or latticework which serves as a trellis on which climbers may grow or on which creepers may be trained. Because they are free-standing structures, arbors can be placed anywhere in your yard to highlight your landscape, create a nook for sitting or dining, or offer support for a prized climbing vine.

However you choose to create shade in your landscape, it will be well worth the time, money and effort spent the very first time you sit in your cool, shady, comfortable outdoor space.

July 5, 2009

Using Rocks and Boulders in Your Landscape

Filed under: Landscape Design & Installation, Landscaping/Outdoor, Natural Stone, Pathways & Walkways, Services, Water Features — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Kathleen @ 1:20 pm

Have you ever considered landscaping with rocks? Not only can rocks add texture to your garden, but they are also very attractive and don’t cost a lot. The beauty of using rocks is that you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot on materials, as you might already find you have a wide variety of rocks on your land to begin with. If not, you can always use natural stone from a garden supply center or landscaping contractor.

dallas water feature, dallas covered decks

Dallas Water Feature

There are a variety of projects you can do with rocks and boulders. These include:

  • Building a rock wall to define your property border;
  • Creating a border around trees;
  • Laying a rock pathway;
  • Adding interest to a pond or water feature (like we did for a Dallas-area homeowner, above); and
  • Accenting your existing landscape with rocks here and there.

Accent rocks boulders can add a lot interest, impact, and character to your landscape. They can even add a second or third level to your landscape without actually having to create an elevated area. However, accent boulders need to be made a “part” of the landscape. Try burying the bottom of the rock four to six inches in the ground and see the difference it makes. Simply dig out a little under where the boulder is to be set and place your ground cover around it. This will give a more natural look as it would appear in nature. It also leaves a little to the imagination. There’s no telling how big the rock actually is or if it was really there to begin with!

July 1, 2009

Using Concrete for Your Patio Project

Filed under: Decorative Concrete & Curbing, Landscaping/Outdoor, Patio Installation, Services — Tags: , , , , , , , — Kathleen @ 9:18 am

If you are interested in adding a patio to your home but haven’t found the right materials to fit your budget, consider using concrete for your patio project. Concrete designs are one of the hot new trends for patios, floors, entryways, countertops, pool decks and more. Concrete is no longer plain, grey and boring – new, decorative concrete products are available in a wide range of colors, textures, and finishes to suit any taste or budget.

Concrete patios, sometimes referred to as cement patios, provide the perfect sanctuary for outdoor living spaces because they are often connected to the house and blend the interior with the exterior living areas. For example, homeowners can match the stone facade of their house by installing decorative concrete to create a stone patio without the expense of installing traditional individual stones.

One reason that an increasing number of homeowners are choosing concrete for their patio designs is that it can be stained a variety of colors to match your decore. Stained concrete combines the best of both worlds: beauty and functionality. Concrete staining imparts a luxurious richness that can’t be achieved by any other coloring medium while leaving behind permanent, flake-proof color. Just look at the gorgeous color and finish on this patio we installed for a Dallas-Fort Worth area homeowner!

dallas patios, covered decks

Dallas patio and covered decks

Here at Enhancescape, we also do a lot of work with stamped concrete – a system of adding colors, patterns and textures to a plain concrete slab at the time of pouring. The concrete is poured, colored and then imprinted with a stamp to create the appearance of natural stone. Many different textures are available that simulate slate, granite, brick, cobblestone, or even custom designs and imprinted in concrete. Borders can be created for plain, matching or contrasting patterns. This technique can also be applied to stairs and ramps. This decorative concrete process creates a finished stamped concrete surface with an attractive, three-dimensional, two-toned appearance.

The advancements in concrete tools, concrete stains and dyes, textures, and patterns have made decorative concrete the most versatile, durable and cost-effective material on the market.

 

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