Landscape Design Tips

Light it Up: Landscape Lighting Ideas

March 4, 2014

Spring is right around the corner, and now is the time to get your landscapes and gardens ready not only for a new growing season, but for the best time of the year. The right landscape lighting lets you enjoy your yard even after the sun has set. Imagine being able to dine al fresco and entertain in your backyard amidst a beautiful garden backdrop or simply to peer out your window to find the most stunning aspects of your landscape lit up.

Landscape lighting that illuminates entrances, driveways, garages, steps and pathways adds security and safety to homes for optimum convenience and peace of mind. At the same time, this lighting can also add subtle style to increase the perceived value and curb appeal of your home.

Atlanta landscape design — Source: The Landscape Lighting Specialist via Houzz

Porches, decks, patios and other outdoor living areas require proper lighting in order to get the most out of these spaces during spring, summer and fall evenings.

landscape lighting design ideas — Source: Casa Smith Designs, LLC via Houzz

A professional design that has a balance of task lighting and ambient lighting makes grilling, serving and dining areas not only functional, but also gorgeous and comfortable.

landscape lighting tips — Source: Urban Landscape via Houzz

Landscaping lighting can also be thoughtfully designed as focal points to highlight the most striking elements of a garden or yard. Trees, fountains, pools and other architectural features, for example, can be turned into aesthetically pleasing centerpieces at night.

Atlanta landscape architects — Source: Viewpoint Lighting via Houzz

Lighting techniques like uplighting, downlighting and directional lighting, can add drama and style to landscape designs. These techniques can also become an extension of your home’s character and beauty after dark. Seasonal color can even be accentuated and enjoyed at night with the right lighting.

Dargan Landscape Architects can help you achieve a landscape that radiates with personality and character both day and night. From landscape lighting to outdoor living design, our team of landscape architects is ready to help you turn your yard into a work of art that lets both you and nature speak. Contact us online or call directly to schedule a consultation.

Landscape Design Inspiration from England

February 28, 2014

Creating a landscape that expresses your point of view doesn’t have to mean reinventing the wheel. Look no further than the historical treasures of the English countryside for inspiration when planning your green space. You’ll find that these lush remnants of yesteryear hearken back to a time when life was wonderfully slower. Incorporating these timeless classics into your landscape design lends a whimsical element to your own unique perspective. Get your creative juices flowing through this virtual journey to three of England’s most breathtaking gardens, located at Barnsley House, Buscot Park and Iford Manor.

Barnsley House
The gardens at Barnsley House of Gloucestershire were designed with approachability, rather than overstated opulence, in mind. Award-winning gardener Rosemary Verey completely transformed the garden into the beauty it is today in the 1950s and went on to mentor future generations of gardeners. Trademarks of the garden include an ornamental fruit and vegetable garden, Laburnum Walk, intimate winding paths and statues by Simon Verity. The love and expertise Rosemary invested into bringing the very best out of this natural space has been appreciated by many over the decades, including the Prince of Wales. Rosemary’s use of visual illusion and color combination is a must-see in this landscape.

Buscot Park
In the heart of Oxfordshire is Buscot Park and the gardens that introduce us to this 18th-century estate. Where Barnsley House soothes, Buscot Park excites. Between the beautifully-preserved frescoes, inviting walkways and one-of-a-kind gardens, the genius of this masterpiece is evident in every cardinal direction. The eastern property features the Peto Water Garden, one of the most-admired water gardens in the United Kingdom, with its formal Italianate style and attractive stair and canal structures. To the west is the Four Seasons garden in full bloom with lilies, bulbs and flowering trees, according to the time of year. The south end is intact with mature woodlands that help border the estate, and the north boasts views of Little Lake and the Thames plain. Sir Harold Peto, the artistic mind behind the grounds, provided excellent examples of retaining walls and created seamless divisions of gardens within gardens.

historic sources of landscape design inspiration — A garden room at Buscot Park.
Photo from Timeless Landscape Design

Iford Manor
Sir Harold Peto, Master Gardener of Buscot Park, also expressed his artistry surrounding Iford Manor Estate, his own home in Wiltshire. The grounds are literally set on a pedestal, poetically situated atop a hillside overlooking the Frome River. The pastoral setting, sculptures and terrace design give the gardens an ambiance of sweeping romance. Peto was a lover of historical landscape elements himself, made clear by his use of Roman columns and Italianate and French design. Notice especially the skill with which he incorporated plants into stone to create the look of steps that have always existed — one of the many gardening feats for which he is famous.

landscape design inspiration from England — Iford Manor
Photo from Timeless Landscape Design

Ready to add some historical context to your modern landscape? Contact us at Dargan Landscape Architects so we can help you incorporate timeless elements into your design. Who wouldn’t want another reason to stop and smell the roses?

Integrating Hardscapes into Your Landscape with Ease

February 24, 2014

Hardscapes are important features of any landscape design. They offer benefits such as erosion control, less maintenance, increased property value, increased accessibility to gardens and water conservation. How do you go about integrating hardscapes into your landscape?

To achieve a cohesive and harmonious look between your hardscapes and landscape, use these helpful tips:

1. Use traditional design principles in non-traditional ways – While most of us don’t have very large properties or formal gardens anymore, techniques used in these types of spaces can still guide you today. When it comes to integrating hardscapes into your landscape, seek symmetrical balance, a timeless design principle. Create a generous path and place an equal number and type of plants on either side. The formal lines and balance of the arrangement can be updated with new materials and less formal plants for a more modern look.

2. Use repetition and rhythm to achieve balance – We’ve emphasized the importance of repetition and rhythm before, but it’s worth mentioning again because it’s a great technique for creating unity and cohesion. For example, to complement a linear hardscape, such as a sidewalk with a fence, place several different plantings at measured intervals to create rhythm. This will make the setting appear harmonious. Such a technique can also be used on walkways and stairs with plantings on two sides. By using the same plants on both sides, you achieve repetition and rhythm.

landscape architects in Atlanta — Source: The Design Build Company via Houzz

3. Let plants spill over onto the hardscape. Nothing makes a deck, patio or other hardscape look more natural than draping plantings around them. This technique also softens the harsh lines of hardscapes. Just be sure to maintain plantings, so they don’t become too overgrown!

Looking for more hardscape inspiration? Check out photos of some of Dargan Landscape Architects’ hardscape projects on Facebook, and let us know which ones are your favorite.

If you’re in need of assistance in creating a new look for your landscape, contact us. Whether you need a master plan for your property or just a tune-up, Dargan Landscape Architects can help you find the timeless look you’ve always wanted for your landscape. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

The Approach & Arrival Sequence: Memorable Moments

February 20, 2014

One of the goals of creating a timeless landscape is to create memorable moments. When it comes to the approach and arrival sequence, memorable moments are visual images that occur at any point from the street to the front door. There are three areas in the approach and arrival sequence where you should focus on creating memorable moments. These include the drive portal and corridor, the parking court and the landing.

The drive portal, or entry node, consists of the apron, mailbox, plantings and drive surface. A memorable moment here could be a gate accented by plantings that frames a narrowing view of the corridor. Pay special attention to the apron, which is the interface between your private drive and the public road. Choosing a high contrast material to the public road for your apron creates a memorable moment.

The corridor is the drive between the portal and parking court. This also sets the tone with plantings, lighting, curves, etc. Offering a glimpse of your home along the drive increases anticipation. To jazz up your corridor, add bands and/or curbs in organic materials such as cobblestone.

designing an approach and arrival sequence for residential landscapes — Dargan Landscape Architects

A parking court is any driveway that brings cars to the front door. Think of it as a parking garden, a place with shady spots to park a car, textured pavement for visual interest, and flowers and pots for a personalized look. Soften large areas of pavement with islands of plant material. Above all, make it clear where to park.

designing a parking court for a residential landscape — Dargan Landscape Architects

The landing at the front of the house, which is the culmination of the approach and arrival sequence, should be designed to ease the transition from outdoors to indoors. Here, you can make a statement with the shape of the walk leading up to the walkway (straight or curved), as well as with a mix of materials to add texture to large expanses of pavement.

landings in landscape design — Dargan Landscape Architects

Whether you need help with your driveway or a master plan for your entire landscape, contact Dargan Landscape Architects. We’ll help you develop a plan that will transform your property and create memorable moments for all who enter.

For more information about creating a timeless landscape, order a copy of Mary Palmer’s book “Timeless Landscape Design” from our online store.

The Approach & Arrival Sequence: First Impressions

February 14, 2014

A fully expressed landscape begins at the curb and ends at your front door. Mary Palmer’s book, Timeless Landscape Design, outlines how homeowners can use an approach and arrival sequence in order to design an entry and front yard landscape that makes an indelible first impression.

This approach and arrival sequence has existed in landscape design for centuries. Traditionally, it consisted of a long drive, divided into sections, which led visitors to the front door. In a country home, this distance may consume several miles; in an urban development, it may only be a matter of yards. In either case, it serves as a portal, creating a beautiful and soothing transition from the public sphere to the private one.

Three Axioms to Make a Unique and Personal First Impression

Use the following axioms to guide the design of your approach and arrival sequence.

Axiom 1: Harmony of Materials. Select your color palate and hardscape materials from the outset and use them throughout the entire sequence to create a feeling of consistency, familiarity, and harmony. The architectural materials of the home and existing landscape should be incorporated into the new design as well.

Axiom 2: Seamless Flow. While you, the landscape designers and builders are aware you are creating a progressive experience, visitors and guests should feel as if it is a seamless, coherent whole – with one design element flowing effortlessly into the next.

Axiom 3: Modulate Space. Use your landscape to shape and mold the view, choosing plants for their particular visual interest in all seasons. Plants add shape, line, color and texture leading one through the sequence. Furnishings and hardscape features should be used sparingly.

The Anatomy of the Approach and Arrival Sequence

Your approach and arrival should be divided into three anatomical parts, designed to form a continuous body.

The anatomy of the approach and arrival sequence is comprised of:

The Drive Portal and Corridor – This area should be treated so that it enhances “the personality of your approach with regard to color, mail collection, pots, paving and plant materials” to help express your property’s overall personality.
Parking Court – Your parking court should be carefully planned so that it is large enough for your family and guests to use. To find the perfect arrangement for your property, use survey flags from your local hardware store and a tape measure to map it out.
The Front Walk, Entry Node and Landing – This area will be your guests final welcome to your home. The walk should direct guests to your door with ease and, as a part of your landscape, can feature potted plants or color nodes to “reinforce its importance.” If this area has steps, consider landings every five or six steps to make it feel less steep.

Each of these areas should be thoughtfully considered as to how they comprise the whole. For more information on how to design a timeless landscape, pick up a copy of Mary Palmer’s book, Timeless Landscape Design, or contact Dargan Landscape Architects for professional assistance.

Landscape Design Tips

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