Who cares for your landscape? That’s the last step in the design!
If I had a penny for every client who included “I want a low/no maintenance design” as part of their wish list, well… 170 pennies are in a pound, so ...
Does great landscape design make us happier?
Ever since starting my landscape design firm I’ve had an opportunity to meet with a lot of people, look at a lot of yards, and have a lot of conversations ...
DC Landscape Design, Hardscaping, Landscape Design, Landscape Installation, Maryland Landscape Design, Northern Virginia Landscape Design, Retaining Walls
Building a timber wall – will it last?
I like to play a game I call underrated/overrated. You can play it with bands, actors, foods, anything you want. Example: underrated/overrated = Hudson Hawk is a brilliant and underrated ...
landscape lighting, Modern Design, Outdoor Furnishings, Patio Designs
Just Because It Doesn’t SAY It’s Landscape Lighting Doesn’t Mean It Can’t Be
Over the holidays I went to the Leesburg Outlets with MJ and her mom. While it was a little nutty and crowded, I discovered that Jos A Banks actually sells ...
Three Tips to Being a Plant Collector and Still Having Great Design
The longer you work with people the more you see that there are different “types” of people, and landscape design clients are no exception. There are two types of clients ...
DC Landscape Design, Design, Hardscaping, Landscape Design, Maryland Landscape Design, Northern Virginia Landscape Design, Patio Designs, Stone, Virginia Landscape Design, Winery Landscape Design
Should I Build a Fire Pit or a Fireplace?
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 ...
DC Landscape Design, Design, Hardscaping, Landscape Design, Landscape Installation, Maryland Landscape Design, Modern Design, Northern Virginia Landscape Design, Patio Designs, Pavers, Stone, Swimming Pools, Virginia Landscape Design
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 ...
DC Landscape Design, Design, Hardscaping, Landscape Design, Maryland Landscape Design, Northern Virginia Landscape Design, Universal Design, Virginia Landscape Design
Accessibility and Universal Design in the Landscape
When I was studying interior design I was fascinated by universal design. While I don’t trust Wikipedia for everything, their definition nails it: Universal design refers to broad-spectrum ideas meant ...
DC Landscape Design, Design, Hardscaping, Landscape Design, Landscape Installation, Maryland Landscape Design, Northern Virginia Landscape Design, Patio Designs, Stone, Virginia Landscape Design
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 ...
Why I Don’t Use Sweetgum Trees
Every once in a while I’ll look over a drawing from another designer and see sweetgum trees in the plant legend. If they’re near the house or in a commercial ...