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Designing Backdrops for Beautiful Landscapes & Vistas

Designing Backdrops for Beautiful Landscapes & Vistas
Source: Dargan Landscape Architects via Houzz

Location, location, location. It’s the single-most important factor in real estate, not only because of proximity to work, schools and other requisites, but because of the natural views and surroundings. What many do not consider, however, that location can be a pretense. With the right landscaping, you can build in your own views to enjoy from inside and outside your home.

Landscapes can be designed with fantastic focal points and gorgeous features that not only catch the eye and add interest, but create naturally beautiful views and vistas. Are your landscape views lackluster? Here are some great things to consider as you start thinking of how your landscape might benefit from a new design with built-in backdrops:

  • Walk out to the street or edge of your property. How well does the landscape reinforce your house? Walk around to take in each vista or long view from the front, back and side. Imagine what plantings and structures could improve each vista as it blends the home into the natural surroundings.
  • Go through each of the main rooms of your home and look out the windows. Picture how a vista might be framed by a design element that draws the eye to it.
  • Take a look at your neighbor’s landscape, and see how you might be able to borrow a view by carefully incorporating it into your landscape’s backdrop.
  • Choose a view from a window or outdoor room that could potentially benefit from a sculptural piece or garden ornament.
  • Could a wall or fence add privacy while blocking unsavory sights? Picture your wall or fence dripping with elegant climbing plants.

Take lots of pictures as you survey your property and its views and vistas. These will come in handy as you dig into the first phase of the design process. A great trick is to overlay photos with tracing paper depicting sketches of possible new plans to visualize, experiment and play with different options as you discover what will work and look best.

Need a little professional help to amp up your views and vistas? Dargan Landscape Architects can help you create and implement a brand new, custom design with stunning views. Contact us to learn more.

Are Retiring Boomers Shaping the Permaculture Movement? Mother Earth News Thinks So…

Right On, Mother Earth News Fair.  From planetary awareness in 1970’s, to being the most hip and cool thing in sustainable home environments today, you rock!  

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APril 11 MENews Branded

This weekend, 18-20,000 showed up in Asheville NC for 2 days of back-to-back lectures about sustainable living and all its components: permaculture/sustainable gardening, housing alternatives, energy efficient cars and really, really good food.

Last year chickens were hot, this year worms, and next year goats are predicted to rock the charts.

I remember when Mother Earth news debuted and mesmerized a particular granola-eating, intellectual, alternative lifestyle ’70s student. (That would be me). The hip and cool, bi-monthly magazine took me by the hand into the realm of renewable energy, clean water, clean air, sprouting, homemade bread, environmental awareness and women’s rights. I learned I could have my cake and eat it too; and thanks to Mother Earth News, that cake would be organic!

Yes, I think retiring boomers are shaping the sustainable gardening/permaculture movement in America. Does this matter to you? If so, read on.

Permaculture for home environments is gardening in concert with nature. It involves site planning with an eye to the future while resting lightly on the land today.
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So, when I received an invitation to do a permaculture demonstration at the Mother Earth News fair this weekend in Asheville North Carolina, I raised my fist and said, “Yeah baby, right on!”  At The Mother Earth News Fair, my lovely booth was soon surrounded by baby boomers of all shapes and sizes, sexes and hairstyles, outfits, smiles and notepads… They had actually done their homework before coming to the demonstration.

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How do you do this permaculture thing and how does it relate to the regular joe?
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Not everyone is a designer, so I created a crash, short-course on the topic of Permaculture 101. It will be April 24 and May 15 at Dovecote in Cashiers, NC.
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So what is Permaculture? It is a large topic weighing-in on the health of our small planet. Without a doubt, sustainable gardening, a component of permaculture, will improve your home environment, your health and happiness.
Did you know your home environment can support your lifestyle and nourish you, so you can flourish to meet your highest and best goals in life? I didn’t.
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As a seasoned landscape architect, I invite my clients to make a program of their needs and describe their lifestyle. As much as I hope to grow them into fully empowered, sustainable gardening homeowners, it will not be everybody’s bag.
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The best-practice sustainable gardeners tend to be the baby boomers on the cusp or fully retired. 85% of my clients are truly interested. They think it would be good for them to embrace sustainable gardening and be outside more, but don’t:
  • have the time in their busy lifestyles
  • know which end of a seed to plant
  • have a clue how to organize their properties to be nimble and efficient sustainable gardens
  • know where to start
Does this sound like you? So whether or not you are baby boomer, eat granola & sprouts or wear sandals and live in a yurt… join me for Permaculture 101:  A Crash Course in Sustainable Gardening.  Early Bird Discount ends April 18.
In 3 hours, we’ll study lifelong landscape design, define your personal permaculture program elements, define available space for improvements on your property and solve functional problems.
For more please visit Dargan.com/dovecote-events or register here:
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