Revolutionary Gardens

  • About our team
    • Press
  • Portfolio
    • Featured Projects
      • Fredericksburg Landscape Design and Pool
      • Pond install in Prince William County
      • Culpeper Landscape Design
      • Culpeper Modern Backyard Landscape Design
      • Sperryville landscape design with ponds and waterfalls
      • Fredericksburg landscaping at Chancellorsville
      • Lake Anna landscaping & planting
      • Culpeper Winery Landscape Design
      • Oakton Modern Landscape Design
    • Plantings
    • Patios & walks
    • Pools & Ponds
    • Pavilions & Porches
    • Pergolas & Decks
    • Outdoor kitchens
    • Fireplaces & Firepits
    • Retaining walls
  • Services
    • Landscape Design
    • Landscape Installation
    • Landscape Maintenance
    • Water Features
    • Outdoor Lighting
    • Outdoor Kitchens
    • Estate Gardening
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • SHOP

When are your landscape design preferences stupid and wrong?

February 3, 2014 by Dave Marciniak Leave a Comment

tumblr_mnv3sja5vt1qzt824o1_500

First, some background as to what made me think of this post. When I’m avoiding work, I like to browse the discussion threads over on Houzz.com. I consider it a lazy form of consumer research, because you get a bunch of homeowners talking anonymously on a forum and you can really see what’s important to them and what’s not. I think it’s helped me serve my clients better.

Anyhow, this thread was started by a woman who felt the black, sooty void of her fireplace was ugly and wanted something more substantial than a screen to cover it. Down the thread apiece, someone made a comment that included this statement:

All fireplaces are black inside and it’s not usually considered an eye sore.

Ok, fair point. But clearly the commenter hasn’t worked as a designer, because what matters here isn’t that others don’t consider the fireplace an eyesore; this particular homeowner does.

Which takes me back to my headline. When are your landscape design preferences stupid and wrong? NEVER. You’re paying the bill. You have to look at what we did for you every single day.

yeller

Yellow is a pretty popular color. I don’t have the data but I’m sure that Sherwin-Williams sells thousands, if not millions, of gallons of paint every year that’s in the yellow family. Does this mean that even if someone thinks yellow looks “tired” (true client story), she should defer to the majority?

Your design is not a democracy, it’s a YOU-ocracy. If 9 out of 10 dentists like azaleas and you’re that 10th dentist and you hate ’em, why should you have to live with them?

(Hint: you don’t.)

I will always keep my clients from doing something dangerous, I will recommend against something that will not stand up to  the elements, but when it comes to matters of taste, I’m here to help polish and refine what you love into something you can live in. Looking for a designer who wants to listen? Contact me and let’s make your yard reflect who YOU are. Because that’s always the right choice.

Filed Under: Design

About Dave Marciniak

Dave Marciniak is a landscape designer and speaker. He lives in Culpeper, Virginia and can be found via his website and on Twitter.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Archives

814 S. Blue Ridge Ave
Culpeper VA
22701
540-827-4299

Start planning your dream backyard today

Join our weekly email to get loads of ideas, inspiration, and tips for creating your ultimate staycation

  • About our team
    • Press
  • Portfolio
    • Featured Projects
      • Fredericksburg Landscape Design and Pool
      • Pond install in Prince William County
      • Culpeper Landscape Design
      • Culpeper Modern Backyard Landscape Design
      • Sperryville landscape design with ponds and waterfalls
      • Fredericksburg landscaping at Chancellorsville
      • Lake Anna landscaping & planting
      • Culpeper Winery Landscape Design
      • Oakton Modern Landscape Design
    • Plantings
    • Patios & walks
    • Pools & Ponds
    • Pavilions & Porches
    • Pergolas & Decks
    • Outdoor kitchens
    • Fireplaces & Firepits
    • Retaining walls
  • Services
    • Landscape Design
    • Landscape Installation
    • Landscape Maintenance
    • Water Features
    • Outdoor Lighting
    • Outdoor Kitchens
    • Estate Gardening
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • SHOP

Design Inspiration

Get the latest on minimalism and white space. Simple as that.

Our mailing address

814 S. Blue Ridge Avenue
Culpeper VA 22701

(540) 401-5885

Connect with us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Phone
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About our team
  • Portfolio
  • Services
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • SHOP

Copyright © 2022 · Agency Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in