I'm still recovering from Halloween - 538 trick-or-treaters is a LOT Of kids - and it's still framing how I look at things. Of the nearly $200 we spent on candy we have a bowlful … [Read more...]
How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost in Northern Virginia?
I recently spoke with someone who was looking for a retaining wall, four feet tall and ninety feet long. Before moving forward with a consultation he wanted a sense of what such a … [Read more...]
What is a Concrete Turndown Edge on a Patio, Anyhow?
Sounds so fancypants, doesn't it? I have a few projects underway that need one, and it's a simple concept that sounds more involved than it is. When installing a patio, you want … [Read more...]
Why Is This Retaining Wall Failing?
I walk by this wall whenever I walk to the post office in downtown Culpeper. Walls like this are pretty common in older neighborhoods like mine. Leaning and generally unhappy walls … [Read more...]
Elements of Design: Texture
Texture deals with how smooth or rough a surface is. When talking about elements of structures, smooth surfaces can often seem more modern and contemporary, while rough surfaces … [Read more...]
What Landscape Work Can Be Done in Fall and Winter?
I get this question a lot this time of year. I get my fall rush once the kids are back in school, it takes a few weeks to get through the design process, and suddenly we're just … [Read more...]
Stamped Concrete Steps
In the post I just did about stamped concrete, I failed to mention one of my other issues with stamped concrete: the vertical surfaces (steps, turndown edges, etc) often look badly … [Read more...]
Is Stamped Concrete Any Good?
It's funny- for the longest time, I would have said no. Emphatically, in fact. After all, there have always been several flaws with stamped concrete, many of which are still a … [Read more...]