dargan landscape architects

A seamless landscape design ensures beautiful and comfortable experiences for your household members and any visitors to your property. This type of design is not only aesthetically pleasing but is intuitive for easy and safe navigation.

Approach & Arrival Sequence: Usually at the front of your property, it’s the welcome mat you put out for your friends and family. A thoughtful approach and arrival sequence seamlessly shows visitors how they can enter your property and where they can park cars. It also leads them gracefully to the landing of your front door where they can be greeted. And finally, it may also include starting points for garden experiences or pathways to outdoor rooms. This is where sustainable building materials can be employed such as gravel and other permeable pavers.

Hub: The middle portion of your property, known as the hub, is – of course – the house. It’s the epicenter around which all parts of your property revolve. The style of the house often inspires and dictates the aesthetics and layout of the landscape. Taking cues from the home’s colors, textures and architectural details is essential when designing a seamless landscape design.

Perimeter: This part of your property is situated outside, behind or on the sides of the house. It can be designed to be a multi-purpose environment for relaxing in and entertaining. It can include a sun pocket, an outdoor kitchen, an outdoor dining area or an expansive lawn. An outdoor social environment should be safe and accessible for both people and pets.

Passages & Destinations: These are the pathways and gardens of the property. The passages are the steps and walkways that allow us to get to and from different garden areas. The destinations can be a koi pond, a fountain, a bench beneath a willow tree or a series of garden statues.

Whether you are looking to add onto your landscape, make it more sustainable or give it a whole new look and feel with a complete renovation, our experienced and passionate team here at Dargan Landscape Architects would love to help. Contact us to learn about our landscaping services. 

Living close to water is an idyllic lifestyle that many people only dream of, however, it does come with a certain amount of responsibility to protect the wildlife that makes the coast its home. Ample lighting to enjoy your property and gardens in the evenings is necessary for your comfort, but there are often restrictions when living on the coast. We have some tips about landscape lighting for coastal gardens that will appease all affected.

Whenever possible, use motion sensors to control lighting that is designed for safety. Well-lit pathways to garden or seating areas near the beach are an example of such lighting. Not only will you be helping to protect the wildlife environment, you will realize energy savings with such areas lit up only when in use.

Spot lights and roof-mounted lights are particularly dangerous for coastal wildlife. Since they cast light into the trees and onto the shoreline, they can put animal habitats at risk and confuse newly-born wildlife such as sea turtles. If used at all, spotlights should be prevented from reflecting light towards the sky and should be angled at no greater than 90 degrees.

There are many subtle options when it comes to landscape lighting for coastal gardens. Recessed lighting can be used to cast soft light in covered areas, deck flooring, and stair treads. New LED styles include rope lights that let you get creative. Consider using them to outline garden areas, furniture, or other outdoor features for an interesting look.

At Dargan Landscape Architects, we understand the balance between ample lighting for your night-time enjoyment and wildlife protection when designing landscape lighting for coastal gardens. As licensed and storied landscape architects, we can help perfect your oasis. Contact us to discuss your plans today.