Planning a new landscape is serious fun. How do we make the process of landscape design as joy-full as the outcome?
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How can you know which landscape architect is the best fit for you and your project? These five tips will help you make the right decision.
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Our clients must trust us, often before we’ve entirely earned it. We know we’re worthy of that trust; but how do they? It begins with our word.
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What are the differences between an unlicensed landscape designer and a licensed landscape architect, and how do you choose?
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Is that project better suited to a landscape designer or a design-build contractor? And what’s the difference, anyhow?
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If your roses are blooming in not one but two colors this year, it’s probably because you bought not one but two roses.
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Determining a budget is one of the most challenging aspects of a new landscaping project… and yet one of the simplest. The experienced landscape architect can help the home owner devise a budget, understand the likely costs of their wish list, and most importantly reconcile the two.
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As the COVID-19 pandemic threatens us, in the midst of disruption and fear we are reminded that our homes are places of refuge and rejuvenation, our gardens sources of inspiration and strength.
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This is the sixth and last in a series of posts describing the phases of our work: Installation Support. The purpose of the Installation Support phase is to answer questions, make adjustments, and provide any other guidance to ensure the new landscape lives up to our vision.
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This is the fifth in a series of posts describing the phases of our work: Construction Documentation. The purpose of the Construction Documentation phase is to provide a landscape installer with all the information and direction needed to accurately bid and build the landscape design.
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This is the fourth in a series of posts describing the phases of our work: Design Development. The purpose of the Design Development phase is to explore and refine our preliminary ideas, ensuring they are feasible both functionally and financially.
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This is the third in a series of posts describing the phases of our work: Preliminary Design. The purpose of the Preliminary Design phase is to assign forms and finishes to the functions that were defined in the Schematic Design phase.
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This is the second in a series of posts describing the phases of our work: Schematic Design. Schematic Design is the dreamer of the landscape architect’s process, the idealist. Its purpose is to find the optimal relationships among the functions and rooms of the landscape. It’s a treasure hunt, a jigsaw puzzle — and also a creative sprint.
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A great landscape design doesn’t just happen: it’s the result of a process. This is the first in a series of posts describing the phases of our work: the Pre-Design phase. And while Pre-Design is the least creative phase of our work, it’s surprisingly involved, and arguably the most important.
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For landscape designers whose gardening education (either formal or informal) began with the Sunset Western Garden Book, the concept of climate zones is second nature. But for plenty of our clients, it’s a totally foreign concept. What is a climate zone, anyhow, and why should you care?
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For a custom landscape design—a good one, anyhow—of any size and/or complexity, the design process will likely take months … and that’s just the start. So what’s an impatient home owner to do?
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Every landscape designer hopes our carefully considered plans get installed faithfully to our vision—so what gets in the way?
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What goes into choosing the right plant for the right place? Here’s a glimpse into how a landscape architect approaches the art—and science—of plant selection.
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With only a forecast of showers next weekend standing between us and Spring, now's your last best chance to take care of those winter to-do items and get your garden ready for peak season.
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Chances are, in This Economy, your landscaping is going to cost more and take longer than you expect. But there's nothing that says you can't get your money's worth.
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