Cashiers landscape architects

Toad Hall’s Gardens Evoke Folklore & Spirit Through Native Plants

April 20, 2015

The tale of Toad Hall is steeped in folklore. Toad Hall is a 32-acre residential property located in a magnificent valley in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains. The property boasts historic log structures, a passageway barn, a writer’s cottage, a stone bank barn, and a potting shed. When it came time to design the landscape, the owners turned to our team here at Dargan Landscape Architects.

The owners had a vision to turn the whole site into a lush English-style garden with native plants, natural materials, picturesque pathways, and majestic trees. The approach and arrival sequence takes you on a long pastoral drive amidst covered bridges, wildflower fields, grazing sheep, a trout stream, and even a little white chapel. The trout stream runs parallel to the drive and leads you to the heart of Toad Hall, a meadow nestled between majestic mountain woodland and soaring mossy boulder cliffs on the edge of Blackberry Farm.

A geothermal pond in a private enclave near the trout stream makes for a mini oasis. Complete with a tulip poplar island with turkey sculptures, the picturesque pond inherently ignites the same childlike wonder as “The Adventures of Huck Finn.” Weeping willows line the lake, and a crescent moon can be spotted on the door of the log guest cottage. Rustic locust posts stand in place of lamp standards.

Arriving on the grounds, you are greeted by a gravel courtyard framed by a beautiful barn and stone shed. A pathway of orchard stones takes you through a grassy forecourt enclosed by billowing boxwoods. From tulip poplars to old-fashioned hydrangea to antique roses, native flowers weave in and out of the property, forming postcard-like backdrops.

The centerpiece of the site is a stunning eighteenth-century kitchen garden. The period design consists of four parts enclosed by an edible natural fence of espalier and apple trees. The four areas are separated by Kingsville boxwoods and are connected by rosemary and lavender in the center. Edges are constructed of tumbled cobblestone, and walkways are made of weathered stepping stones nestled in grass which help to blend the garden gracefully into the natural surroundings.

Read more about the enchanting landscape and log homes of Toad Hall in the Architectural Digest article online.

We’d love to see how we can help create your own home utopia. To learn more about our landscape design services, contact Dargan Landscape Architects online or by calling 404-231-3889.

How Architectural Design Integrates with Landscape Design

April 18, 2015

A well-designed landscape complements the home while blending it into the natural surroundings. The best way to ensure a landscape design that enhances property value is to take cues from the home’s architectural style.

Each architectural style is associated with building materials that can become the foundation for a fantastic landscape design. Whether it’s a combination of brick and wood or fieldstone and stucco, the colors and textures of building materials can help to harmonize the home with the landscape to create a naturally beautiful and cohesive design. These materials can specifically be used for freestanding walls and paved areas, creating a direct connection between the home and landscape.

Here are some other questions that can help to jumpstart a landscape design based on the home’s architectural style:

What are the dominant hues of the home and building materials?
What is the size and mass of your home? Is it a little architectural gem, cottage/bungalow, mini-mansion, or mega-mansion?
What is your home’s relationship to the ground plane?

Taking cues from architecture goes far beyond materials. Scale, for instance, is determined by the home’s size and is paramount in designing terraces, parking courts, foundation plantings, and other improvements.

Foundation plantings, such as ivy and boxwoods, are a popular design element for anchoring and merging the home into the rest of the landscape. Before drainage solutions like gutters, paving ran right up to the edges of homes, and architects like Andrea Palladio – a sixteenth century Italian architect – mastered the art of stand-alone home designs. Now, landscape designs can incorporate foundation plants that not only ground and balance the home, but add to its attractiveness.

In the past, consistent architecture and limited planting options made integrating homes rather self-explanatory. Today, however, with the melding of architectural styles and the variety of plants available, knowing how to create a planting scheme that will marry with the landscape, scale, and style of the home is paramount.

For larger homes and mansions, large-scale shrubs and shade trees can bring it down in scale to connect it with the landscape. When designing for cottages and little architectural gems, go for plants that create an intimate and personal atmosphere. Historic homes and old photographs can be great inspiration for planting schemes.

Dargan Landscape Architects would love to help bring your home to life with a landscape design that highlights its best architectural features. Contact us to learn more.

Designing Backdrops for Beautiful Landscapes & Vistas

April 16, 2015

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.

Reducing Stress Through Gardens & Pets

April 13, 2015

While the stress of negative consequences can sometimes be what motivates us to get through the most hectic of work weeks, stress is not something to take lightly — in fact, it’s a big factor in determining your long-term health.

Most of us have lifestyles unique to us, but whether you are focusing on work, dealing with family, attempting to find personal time, or coping with lessening energy, chances are you’ve encountered some stress along the way. When we become stressed, our body reacts by releasing cortisol into the blood stream. Over time, this process has a far-reaching effect on the body and contributes to aging and other health issues.

Finding ways to effectively reduce stress is crucial in maintaining a long, happy life. Today, we want to discuss two research-supported methods to help you take a deep breath, step back, and enjoy some much needed (and stress-free) personal time.

Gardens

Recent research suggests that when people visit gardens, their cortisol levels can be reduced. We recommend designing your landscape to help meet the challenges of every day life. For instance, a garden can lower your blood pressure and release endorphins — the “feel-good” hormones. Amazingly, a daily garden visit can also curtail the need for pain medication!

The deeper connection you can make with your garden environment, the better. Breathe deeply, walk among and touch your plants, and feel free to meditate. It’s the perfect place to do so!

Pets

For generations, pets have brought us comfort and companionship. Pet therapy is enlisted by therapists to rehabilitate their patients and ease depression. To attract furry friends to your landscape, try setting up birdhouses, ponds, and feeding stations.

Keeping these well-stocked is a fantastic way to attract a variety of species. Additionally, a well kept landscape is a great place for cats and dogs to roam around in and play. Across the board, animals offer multiple health benefits that can’t be ignored.

We’d love to help come up with some ideas for a relaxing outdoor landscape of your own. Feel free to browse through our photos for inspiration or contact us at Dargan Landscape Architects to start planning.

Tranquil Garden Events Happening in April 2015

April 11, 2015

April is bringing us much more than showers for May flowers. This month is chock-full of fabulous garden events for homeowners, gardening enthusiasts, landscape designers, and architects. You won’t want to miss out on these opportunities to play in the dirt, learn from experts, and see some of the most stunning gardens in the Southeast!

April 15-18: The Garden Conservancy Comes to Atlanta

First, we are excited to announce that the Garden Conservancy Board of Fellows will be coming to Atlanta to see Dargan gardens and more during the third week of April.

April 16: Peachtree Garden Club House Show

Mark your calendars for this wonderful house show at 8:30 a.m. on April 16. We always recommend attending any event the Peachtree Garden Club is involved in, and this one is no different. This passionate organization is dedicated to stimulating gardening and conservation through education.

April 20-21: Zone VIII Annual Meeting at Palmetto Garden Club in Columbia, SC

Next, we’re looking forward to the Zone VIII Annual Meeting in Columbia, SC. These meetings are always fascinating and provide a perfect opportunity to connect and collaborate with your community. Not to mention, there are always great hands-on workshops and activities to give your green thumb some exercise.

April 28 – Cherokee Garden Club goes to Serenbe Community & Wilkerson Mill Nursery

We are thrilled to join the Cherokee Garden Club on a special trip to Serenbe community. Located on the edge of Atlanta, the Serenbe community is a progressive residential neighborhood focused on happiness, health, and well-being through fresh food, fresh air, and a strong connection with nature. Serenbe is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but can offer incredible inspiration and education when it comes to sustainable, environmentally-designed communal living. Join us as we visit the organic gardens at Serenbe, and take in the jaw-droppingly gorgeous hydrangeas at Wilkerson Mill Nursery.

Garden Week in Georgia may be April 19-25, but we’ll be celebrating it all month long throughout the entire Southeast! Be sure to look for me – Mary Palmer Dargan of Dargan Landscape Architects – at one or more of these events, and do come say hello!

Tell us what garden events you’re looking forward to, or share with us how you’re celebrating Garden Week in the comments.

Cashiers landscape architects

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