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 …
northern virginia landscape design
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 …
Landscape Inspiration: Brick Details
I grew up in New England which means that the most commonly used landscape material was stone. Oh, did we have stone! I maintained a love …
7 Tips For Getting Through The Landscape Construction Process
A few weeks ago I was talking shop with my good friend, architect Francisca Alonso of AV Architects. No matter what projects we're …
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, …
10 Tips for Landscaping with Kids
With the end of another winter upon us, I’m reminded of my mom’s summertime refrain: “David, go outside and play!” Here’s a list of ten …
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 …
Elements of Design: Line
We all know what a line is: a connection of two or more points. In design, line happens when two planes meet, or when we see an object in …
Really Cool Outdoor Fireplaces and Features
One of the perks of my job is that I get to wander the internet in search of really cool products to use in my clients' projects. I came …