I meet with a fair number of homeowners who say "I either want a firepit or a fireplace." This uncertainty is actually a great place to start discussing how they're going to use … [Read more...]
Travertine Paver Patio Installers in Virginia – What to Know
When I was designing landscapes in Arizona, one option we had available to us was travertine marble tile. These were actual tiles - typically 12"x12" and less than a half inch … [Read more...]
Understanding Flagstone: Sawcut, Thermaled, and Chiseled Edges
You've decided to use flagstone in the landscape. Good call! You may not be done making decisions, however. If the stone will be used in an application where you see the edge of … [Read more...]
Fredericksburg Pool, Patio & Pergola Design
This week I stopped off to check in with a landscape design client in Fredericksburg, Virginia. This is probably one of my favorite projects of the year. I'll do a more … [Read more...]
Landscape Design Lessons from a Newport Mansion
Several weeks ago MJ and I made the drive to Rhode Island for my niece's high school graduation. We stayed an extra day so we could celebrate my mom's birthday. Since everyone had … [Read more...]
Using Dry Stream Beds for Drainage
Here in Virginia we have clay soils that don't drain particularly well. We also get a fair bit of rainfall. When new subdivisions are built, especially in northern Virginia, the … [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...]
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...]
Amazing Old Stonework
My mother-in-law was in town this past week. The way I was raised, when you have company from out of town staying with you the right thing to do is run them all over the state (or … [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...]