One That Got Away: Challenging Retaining Wall in DC

One of my favorite things to do on this blog is to profile recent projects. It’s a fun opportunity to show what’s possible, and maybe brag a little. Hey, my clients let me create some great landscape designs for them! As I was thinking about … Continue readingOne That Got Away: Challenging Retaining Wall in DC

How 40 Pounds of Dog Has Changed My Plans for 10,000 sq ft of Yard

I finally wore Mindy down this fall and we adopted a dog. This is my sweetheart Bonnie, a German Shorthair Pointer (GSP) mix who came to us via the Mid-Atlantic GSP Rescue. Say hi, Bonnie!   Anyone who’s met me knows it’s no secret that … Continue readingHow 40 Pounds of Dog Has Changed My Plans for 10,000 sq ft of Yard

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 movie/ Sideways is an incredibly overrated movie that makes me want to guzzle Merlot out … Continue readingBuilding a timber wall – will it last?

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 clothes that fit tall guys with Magilla Gorilla arms. That was one bit of excitement. … Continue readingJust Because It Doesn’t SAY It’s Landscape Lighting Doesn’t Mean It Can’t Be

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 when it comes to plants: the ones who like plants and are generally happy with … Continue readingThree Tips to Being a Plant Collector and Still Having Great Design

Space Planning to Make a Beautiful Vienna Virginia Backyard Better

I’m often called in to make an existing landscape function better. The client doesn’t to rip it all out and start from scratch, but they need to fix… something. Usually it’s my job to figure out what that something is. This project is a great … Continue readingSpace Planning to Make a Beautiful Vienna Virginia Backyard Better

5 First Steps Towards Fixing Your Homebuilder Landscape Package

If you bought your home from one of those big corporate homebuilders, you probably had some cool options available to you on the inside. On the outside, you likely got the basic landscape package everyone else did. The good news is that the plants you … Continue reading5 First Steps Towards Fixing Your Homebuilder Landscape Package