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The fascination with tropical landscaping makes sense in Houston because of its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, cultural influences of the tropics, subtropics of Spain and Latin America which provide plenty of local inspiration for creating the tropical landscape design. Houston’s architectural styles now popular including New Orleans plantation, Spanish, and Mediterranean all lend themselves well to tropical landscaping. The tropics diverse palate of lush plantings and bright colors inspire the most beautiful and prehistoric spaces echoing vacation or leisure. Often, because of budgetary concerns or lack of horticultural knowledge tropical landscaping is poorly executed because it is treated as just another landscape i.e. substitute oaks for palms and you’re finished. When done well the tropical landscape is lush, beautiful, private, refreshing and becomes a paradise for retreat.

Landscape Design for the Tropical

The tropical landscape can adapt to any style of home. As in all good design the form and function of outdoor spaces needs to be sympathetic to the homes architecture and definitely include spaces for entertainment. Is the tropical garden formal or informal? Informal modern landscape design works well with the tropical because of all the exotic and funky plant forms available. Tropical landscaping done well comes about through the knowledgeable layering of tropical plant materials and the fun use of varying hardscape materials such as wood, concrete, water and stone.

Tropical Plants

Many landscape designs in Houston intended to hint at the tropical usually contain some palm trees, variegated gingers and some lolly pop shrubs and white rock. A sparse and haphazard approach to tropical falls somewhere between desert sparse, uninspired and just plain poorly done. In designing tropical plantings think lush green multi-layer forms from the tinniest ground cover up to the tallest palm tree:

• Palms-Mediterranean fan palms, pygmy date palms, medjoles, canary palms, and bamboos.
• Shrub Layer-gingers, philodendrons, bottle brushes, camellia specimen, cannas, caste iron plant.
• Accent Plants-Australian tree Fern, century plant, flax, alocasias, saw palmetto.
• Ground Cover Layer-alocasias, clematis vine, star jasmine, xanado, ardisia, liriope, monkey grass.

Tropical Hardscapes

Tropical patios and walks can also be infused with layering, color and alternate materials to play upon various planting layers. By creating multiple deck layers or steps that slow the viewer down enabling for more viewing of the lush planting layers and creating greater interest. Built elements that add creativity, color and fun to outdoor compositions include:

• Outdoor kitchens-in stucco with back walls of Spanish tile
• Palapas-kitchens that are separate from the house w. or without a thatch roof
• Wood Decks-stacked with rounded or curved edges.
• Waterfalls-a water element creates the sound of privacy drowning out urban noises.
• Tile Mosaics-with bright colors of the tropics-aqua blues, reds, and yellows turning a pool into a tropical piece of art.
• Garden art to include lamps, torches, ceramic pieces, funky benches and furniture.

Tropical Landscaping Fun and Retreat

Ultimately one is only limited by their creativity, design knowledge and tropical horticulture experience in creating dramatic tropical landscapes. Multiple layering of lush green plant materials, walks, variety in materials, and garden art to include; colored concretes, stone, metal, and tile bringing about the fun of retreat in the tropics. Approach the tropical landscape as a multicolorful journey-don’t just have a mojito, throw in pinnacola’s and dacaries and you too can create a tropical paradise.

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Swimming pool remodeling is often done as part of a larger landscaping plan. Many times people purchase a home that already has a pool built many years before. Normally such a pool was built many years before by a pool contractor hired directly by the homeowner. The intention at that time was to create a pool whose function and form reflected the immediate interests of the homeowner when it came to matters of swimming, lounging, and entertaining by the pool. Most of these pool designs were very popular at the time, and still work very effectively from a functional perspective in our time. However, few pool contractors in years past (or even today for that matter) considered the benefits of recommending pool construction styles that directly complemented home architecture and landscape elements. It was not a matter of deliberate sabotage or even neglect-simply a lack of awareness of other disciplines that play a direct role in the overall aesthetic of the property.

Because of this, most people who buy a home that already has a swimming pool on premises end up seriously considering remodeling the pool when it comes time to upgrade the landscape in general. Suddenly, what looked like a nice pool when they first moved in becomes a subsequent challenge when the landscaping contractor points out how certain outdoor structures, garden styles, vegetation styles, and ornamental statuary will clash with the pool as it appears in its present form. Rather than limiting the options of our clients and recommending only designs that will work with what they have, Exterior Worlds has a policy of offering a swimming pool remodel included in our landscaping master plans. We study the surrounding terrain and specifics of home architecture, then look at ways to reshape the old pool structure into a new aesthetic that harmoniously blends with both. We then subcontract a reputable and established swimming pool remodeling company to handle the specifics of reconstruction, carefully managing their work to ensure that it remains consistent with the thematic intention of the project as a whole.

Sometimes an old swimming pool needs only minimal remodeling to look like a completely new structure. Something as simple as adding a spa, or installing a fountain, can totally transform its appearance. In other instances, it is not the pool itself that needs reconstruction, but rather what is around the pool. Many pools built in the 50s, 60s, and early 70s were constructed with a concrete coping and surrounding concrete slab for a patio. Others were built with wooden decks leading up to the coping. Such rudimentary designs offer only limited opportunities for landscaping upgrades unless replaced with more cosmetic structures. Patios made of flagstone and coping made with more cosmetic materials can often make an old swimming pool appear completely remodeled even though the only thing that has really been changed is what surrounds the pool.

Other swimming pools require more extensive remodeling to work with new landscape designs. For these projects, we begin by looking at municipal codes that may have changed since the structure was originally built. Any new construction must be in compliance with current regulations, so this is normally our starting point any time we remodel a pool that was built more than 15 years ago. In most of these older remodels, plumbing and electrical systems have to be completely overhauled to meet with regulatory compliance. If the shell is still good, we can simply remove the concrete, redo the plumbing and electrical, and then rebuild the structure around the existing shell.

In other instances, it may be determined that the original pool shell is simply in the wrong place and built in the wrong style. For example, there was a time about 30 years ago when lagoon style pools were in high demand. This particular style, however, clashes with most modern architecture and in almost every remodeling job has to be completely transformed into something more complimentary to its surroundings. If swimming pool remodeling is managed by under the general contract of a professional landscaping company, not only will the new pool work harmoniously with its surroundings, but it can actually function as something of an aesthetic hub whose spas, fountains, steps, benches, and patio designs create special outdoor living space that is highly decorative and specifically oriented toward comfort and entertainment.

Lots of all sizes look much better when portions of the front yard are differentiated with a number of individual landscaping design methods. Entrances, transit areas, gardens, and seating areas all represent highly individualized elements that a professional landscaper will create and unify with linear progression and repeated aesthetic themes.

This is more than simple gardening and lawn care. Professional front yard landscaping sets itself apart by making it a point to pay homage first and foremost to home architecture. One of the simplest, yet also most significant, ways to do this is to use front yard landscaping to create what landscaping designers refer to as the “entry experience.” This is very important, because how you get to the front door makes the first impression for your entire property. It represents a transition from public space to private space and as such sets the tone for the entirety of the landscape that follows.

The style of the entry space should mirror the style and architecture of the home as closely as possible, and it will often range from anything including the neat and tidy, the abstract, or the contemporary. Typically this is accomplished organically with garden designs whose linear movements and geometric patterns directly reflect the structural keynotes of the house. At night these features can become even more magnified than they are in the daytime when they are illuminated by professionally installed landscape lighting that lights both the vegetation and the façade of the home simultaneously.

Both pedestrian and vehicle transit also represent important concerns for front yard landscaping. Motorcourts create unique parking areas that are positioned to give new arrivals a prime vantage point of the property before they exit their vehicles. Walkways then lead visitors into lawn areas where a number of organic forms and inorganic structures can await them.

Theme gardens such as parterre gardens, knot gardens, and Italian gardens further establish the tone of the landscaping design and provide organic reflections of home architecture. Decorative features such as sculptures and fountains will frequently add vertical dimension to lawn space and further work to unify the front yard with the front of the home.

In any landscaping plan that is professionally developed, landscaping does not stop with simply ornamenting the property to establish mindset. Every yard has a certain measure of fallow space that can be used to construct a variety of functional elements that simultaneously add dimension to the aesthetic. Neglecting to do this actually works against the property, because too much empty space can make a front yard look much smaller than it actually is. However, when we add outdoor forms and structures, the landscape suddenly takes on new dimensions and new proportions right before our eyes.

Any number of structures can be constructed to accomplish this. Patios can be built on gated, larger lots for the purpose of entertaining public gatherings. Smaller patios can be built to private seating just for couples and children. Porches can be added fronts of a home that feature special seating arrangements, screened-in outdoor rooms, and even fully functioning kitchen or entertainment areas.

Once a front yard has been landscaped to this degree, what you end up with is a space divided into special areas, each with its own function and aesthetic. The task of creating and maintaining unity between often highly individuated landscaping features will no doubt require the help of a professional landscaping design company. Professional landscapers not only will custom design these elements with the big picture in mind, but they will also maintain the appearance and integrity of the yard on an ongoing basis.

Enhance Your Home Garden By Landscaping Design Ideas

A home garden is a place, which can give identity to your home building in a neighborhood. You can use very little creativity to enhance to look and feel of your garden so that it stands out from the rest of the gardens in the neighborhood.

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Here is a list of probable elements you can add to your landscaping garden so that everybody loves it and you get the credit.

1) The compound wall of the home plot defines the boundary of the garden as well. Use paintings on the wall surface (inside), that will add excitement to your garden . You can go for a theme based paintings such as nature, waterfalls, sunsets etc..

2) Use stone sculptures of actual human size. These statues greatly add a uman touch to the garden and also defines a scale to the space.

Everything we use in our daily lives such as clothes, kitchen utensils, office equipment, computer parts, are all always related to human measurements. If this is the case with all other objects, why exclude a garden from it.

3) Use a fountain with artificial mood creating lighting. This adds a great amount of curiosity during night.

4) Use Japanese stone lanterns instead of the normal ones. This is because stone has its own rough texture as against the smooth and fresh look and feel of the plants in a garden.

This creates “hot-spots” in the garden if you plan to use light bulbs inside the stone lanterns. These stone lanterns can also be used along a pathway to define the direction of movement.

5) Design a pond that flows partially into the home building. This is a great way to seamlessly connect the interior and exterior of a home landscape.

6) If your garden has a swimming pool, then instead of having normal diving boards, be little creative and make it into the shape of a house or the person coming out of the mouth of an animal etc…Your kids will love this and will be remembered whoever visits your garden.

7) Create private semi-open patios in your garden. This is a great place to sit around and chat with your loved ones and also can be used as a small deck during a small party.

If you love pets, then try rabbits, ducks along with a small pond, in the backyard. These pets have very fresh colors and add great amount of liveliness in the garden.

9) If possible plants flowerings trees with fragrance. This is a free and absolutely amazing way to keep your garden fresh.

10) Create levels in your garden to distinguish various areas as per the function of the garden. A leveled garden always creates interest and curiosity.

If you have read this article completely you can see I have hardly talked about plats and their species in landscaping.

So landscaping design is also about using creativity with materials and their finishes. I hope this article helps you to start thinking creatively about your home garden and generate more unique ideas.

Enhance Your Home Garden By Landscaping Design Ideas

The relationship between the pool and patio begins with a relationship of duality that unfolds in multiple dimensions throughout the remainder of outdoor space. A key determinant in the effectiveness of pool and patio design is the complimentary function these two structures serve as compliments to home architecture. Respect to home architecture places both the size and shape of the pool in its proper perspective in proportion to the rest of the landscape, and it provides a focal point around which to construct any number of patio styles that extend architecture into green space, and that create function through the creation of form.

In addition to their proportional impact on the appearance of the home and surrounding landscape, pool and patio size are determined to a large extent by the lifestyle of the residents and the intended use of pool area proper. Some people prefer to have a custom swimming pool built that is strictly for family use. Other clients of ours use the pool and patio to host outdoor events and large gatherings. For these clients, we have to take the time to clearly understand their future intentions so we can construct a facility that will accommodate the number of people that would normally be attending the average event. Some of these patios can be massive in size-spanning a significant portion of the yard to accommodate swimming, seated, and standing guests. Many times as well, these patios will be constructed adjacent to other structures that are also used to host outdoor entertainment events. It is not uncommon to see an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, or an outdoor fireplace located at the end of a custom swimming pool.

Pool patios can be built from any number of materials that fit the lifestyle, surrounding elements, and intended use of the property. Ideally, the materials selected should to some degree support key architectural elements and an overall landscaping theme. For example, in the past few years, we have done a number of contemporary style landscaping projects in the Memorial Area. Concrete pool patios work very well in these environments because it supports a clean look with stark linear forms. In French and Mediterranean landscapes, we often build stone patios to allude to the rocky cliffs of the Riviera, Italian Coast, and Greek Islands. Sometimes we will use actual rocks to enhance the stone patios around natural swimming pools built to emulate woodland ponds or waterfalls. Still other occasions may call for a pool without only a coping that extends into a grassy area that functions like a patio.

As diverse as these many design styles can be, all pool patios share certain basic elements. Regardless of the materials used to construct them, they must be as flat as possible to comfortably and safely support foot traffic. After all, most people who swim go swimming barefoot, so the surface of any patio must be smooth and flat to avoid trips, injuries, or cuts to the feet. At the same time, patios must be built with some sort of drainage system that allows water to quickly run off before it forms a hazardous, slick surface. Exterior Worlds uses a number of unique drainage systems that can be either integrated or concealed within the patio design.

The nuances between the pool, the patio, and the surrounding property are details that most pool companies do not concern themselves with. Such details require an understanding of more than just how to build an attractive swimming pool and a patio that meets basic requirements. Truly integrating pool and patio into a landscaping master plan will require a comprehensive analysis of intended use, aesthetic proportion, grade of materials, and integration into surrounding outdoor design. Landscaping designers can better accomplish this by developing a landscaping plan first, then subcontracting the pool company and building a patio that unifies the work of the specialist with all surrounding elements at hand.

Most homeowners already have one or more Most homeowners already have one or more landscaping design ideas fixed firmly in their mind when they contact Exterior Worlds. They may have seen visited our landscaping design portfolio and seen the work we have done for other homeowners in neighborhoods like West University, Bellaire, River Oaks, and Tanglewood. They may have seen photographs of properties in a reputable publication that inspired certain landscape design ideas based on several motifs that caught their eye, or they may be have had a passion for a certain cultural style such as French, Italian, or Japanese that they have always wanted to develop on their own personal homestead.

Regardless of the origin of such inspiration, it is important that you work with a Houston Landscaping Service that can help you more fully develop your landscaping design ideas in a manner that compliments the appearance of your home and helps extend its living space outdoors in a way that fully expresses the core values and subjective sentiments of your own personal lifestyle.

Make your landscape a virtual, organic extension of your home’s structure and aesthetic.

When you meet with your landscaping architect for the first time, try to develop landscaping design ideas that will compliment the architecture of your house. No matter how small or large your home actually is, it represents the most dominant feature of your landscape, and as such, cannot be ignored. Any outdoor structures such as an arbor, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, patio fireplace, or special walkway needs to reflect the basic design principles that distinguish your house from surrounding structures.

The swimming pool in particular is something you should pay very close attention to. Most swimming pool construction that is done independently from a landscaping plan tends to focus only on making the pool itself functional and aesthetically pleasing. We see this all the time when we work on older homes that were build in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The pool looks fantastic in and of itself, but it clashes severely with surrounding terrain and home architectural features. We commonly have to remodel swimming pools significantly, or rebuild them all together, to harmonize the poll with the surrounding landscape.

Garden design is another area that you should really rely upon professional expertise to help develop. While you may already have dozens of landscaping design ideas in mind about what types of flowers, shrubs, and trees will look best in your yard, please keep in mind that vegetation groupings constitute forms in and of themselves that either work with or against the appearance of your house. A good example would be some of the contemporary landscapes we have done in our landscaping portfolio section which required us to plant some very unique vegetation patterns to truly do justice to the unique elements that constituted a particular home’s appearance.

Think form follows function when developing a landscaping plan.

The best landscaping design ideas will develop forms around practical use of open areas. After all, the more beautiful your landscape, the more you are going to want to go outside and experience it firsthand. Activities will naturally follow, so coming up with a clear picture of what you intend to ultimately do when you are outdoors will help you more fully develop a plan for development of key areas of your yard. If your ultimate goal is to create entertainment space, then outdoor structures and special environments will need to be built that support the many activities that you and your guests particularly enjoy. If you have children, and you are looking to create special play areas and sports facilities, Houston professional landscapers can help you by subcontracting specialists who can design these facilities (such as courts and practice fields) safely and effectively while still remaining ultimately true to the overall landscaping design idea envisioned in the master plan.

Ornament the landscape to create special space in addition to simply decorating it.

Even something that normally conveys a purely artistic sentiment can play a functional role in the development of your landscaping design idea. Your Houston landscaping company can help develop special patio and seating areas that are aside just for you. Here, you can reflect, meditate, read the paper, and enjoy the morning over conversation and coffee. Fountains and sculptures, though typically categorized as purely decorative, can take on a new, more subtle role as boundary markers between public space, children space, and special, private space. Landscape lighting can then be installed around these areas to maintain these boundaries during the night as well as the day. In this sense, one single landscape can be turned into many smaller landscapes; each represented by its own unique features, forms, purposes, and carefully designed ideas.

fixed firmly in their mind when they contact Exterior Worlds. They may have seen visited our landscaping design portfolio and seen the work we have done for other homeowners in neighborhoods like West University, Bellaire, River Oaks, and Tanglewood. They may have seen photographs of properties in a reputable publication that inspired certain landscape design ideas based on several motifs that caught their eye, or they may be have had a passion for a certain cultural style such as French, Italian, or Japanese that they have always wanted to develop on their own personal homestead.

Regardless of the origin of such inspiration, it is important that you work with a Houston Landscaping Service that can help you more fully develop your landscaping design ideas in a manner that compliments the appearance of your home and helps extend its living space outdoors in a way that fully expresses the core values and subjective sentiments of your own personal lifestyle.

Make your landscape a virtual, organic extension of your home’s structure and aesthetic.

When you meet with your landscaping architect for the first time, try to develop landscaping design ideas that will compliment the architecture of your house. No matter how small or large your home actually is, it represents the most dominant feature of your landscape, and as such, cannot be ignored. Any outdoor structures such as an arbor, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, patio fireplace, or special walkway needs to reflect the basic design principles that distinguish your house from surrounding structures.

The swimming pool in particular is something you should pay very close attention to. Most swimming pool construction that is done independently from a landscaping plan tends to focus only on making the pool itself functional and aesthetically pleasing. We see this all the time when we work on older homes that were build in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The pool looks fantastic in and of itself, but it clashes severely with surrounding terrain and home architectural features. We commonly have to remodel swimming pools significantly, or rebuild them all together, to harmonize the poll with the surrounding landscape.

Garden design is another area that you should really rely upon professional expertise to help develop. While you may already have dozens of landscaping design ideas in mind about what types of flowers, shrubs, and trees will look best in your yard, please keep in mind that vegetation groupings constitute forms in and of themselves that either work with or against the appearance of your house. A good example would be some of the contemporary landscapes we have done in our landscaping portfolio section which required us to plant some very unique vegetation patterns to truly do justice to the unique elements that constituted a particular home’s appearance.

Think form follows function when developing a landscaping plan.

The best landscaping design ideas will develop forms around practical use of open areas. After all, the more beautiful your landscape, the more you are going to want to go outside and experience it firsthand. Activities will naturally follow, so coming up with a clear picture of what you intend to ultimately do when you are outdoors will help you more fully develop a plan for development of key areas of your yard. If your ultimate goal is to create entertainment space, then outdoor structures and special environments will need to be built that support the many activities that you and your guests particularly enjoy. If you have children, and you are looking to create special play areas and sports facilities, Houston professional landscapers can help you by subcontracting specialists who can design these facilities (such as courts and practice fields) safely and effectively while still remaining ultimately true to the overall landscaping design idea envisioned in the master plan.

Ornament the landscape to create special space in addition to simply decorating it.

Even something that normally conveys a purely artistic sentiment can play a functional role in the development of your landscaping design idea. Your Houston landscaping company can help develop special patio and seating areas that are aside just for you. Here, you can reflect, meditate, read the paper, and enjoy the morning over conversation and coffee. Fountains and sculptures, though typically categorized as purely decorative, can take on a new, more subtle role as boundary markers between public space, children space, and special, private space. Landscape lighting can then be installed around these areas to maintain these boundaries during the night as well as the day. In this sense, one single landscape can be turned into many smaller

Many people question why they would hire a landscape firm to handle their swimming pool construction rather than going directly to a pool contractor. They assume that a pool contractor will naturally have more expertise when it comes to needed materials and design options. While this is true on one level, problems arise on a broader scale with swimming pool construction is handled exclusively by the pool specialist without proper respect to home architecture and the surrounding landscape.

Swimming pools are basically engineering developments in their own right. They consist of a few basic elements that can be customized and arranged in a near infinity of forms. There is the basin which actually holds the water, typically sloped from a shallow end toward a much deeper water level at the far end. Normally a swimming pool is constructed with steps that lead down into the water on the shallow end. There may be a diving board on the deep end, or ladders that allow people to climb down into the deep water. Some pools are very posh, featuring spas, water jets, and waterfall fountains. There is always a coping that surrounds the water, providing both containment for the water, and human access to the pool.

Contractors who specialize in swimming pool construction think of ways to combine these basic elements into designs that look attractive and offer a high-level of recreational enjoyment. Unfortunately, being specialists only in their given discipline, pool contractors often lack knowledge of home architecture and outdoor landscaping. This invariably results in problems later down the line. If a certain style of pool is chosen for its own aesthetic alone, it most often will clash with the architecture of the home. If the pool elevations are built too high in relation to the surrounding landscape, then drainage problems can quickly result that can ruin significant portions of a yard or garden, plus accrue even more expenses when the pool has to be remodeled after the fact.

We want to make it clear that none of this is the fault of the pool contractor. Specialists like this are essential to professional landscaping. However, it takes the expertise of a team of specialists, managed by a landscaping expert who can see the big picture, to ensure that swimming pool construction is done in a way that complements all surrounding elements and better respects home architecture with both its size and general design features.

We always ask our clients to visualize what type of pool they would buy with a home that would be so perfectly designed originally that it would require no remodeling upon move in. Such a consideration is an important one to take into account. Many people buy a home with the full intention of selling it later down the line. Constructing a swimming pool at any point in time will definitely add or subtract from the home’s resale value, and therefore should be overseen by a landscaping specialist who can design a pool that reflects the unique architectural elements of the house, compliments other outdoor structures, blends with vegetation, and reflects the lifestyle of the homeowner.

The swimming pool construction plan, of course, will ultimately be part of a larger, master plan where many specialists are called in to fulfill specific tasks in construction, drainage, and lighting. A professional landscaping company knows how to manage these many teams and see that each specialty service combines with all the others in a unity of aesthetic and a continuity of function.

Traditionally the advice given by many deck design experts is to choose a deck style that conforms to the architectural style of the home. The best plan supposedly is to start with the basic shapes, details, colors and materials associated with the house. It is good sound advice especially if the home has a distinctive period style.

However, the reality of the majority of homes at present is that they basically are either a mixture of different styles or they have no discernible style at all. A home that is traditional with elements from different architectural styles or with very few architectural details is open to deck style choices that are much broader in range.

The choice would be to keep it simple or to select a complementary style. There is always the possibility of seeking design help from a professional since a well designed deck will not only add interest to a house but will also increase its value. The advantage of selecting a specific deck style is that it provides the homeowner with the opportunity to add a personal touch to the new outdoor living space.

When the decks of today are compared with those of a decade or two ago, they tend to blend much better with the house and the landscape. New varieties of deck wood, composite decking, improved railing systems and a much greater range of colors have all become contributing factors to this. A renewed interest in gardening has created a huge interest in the decoration of small, medium and large decks with blossoms and foliage from spring to autumn.

A greater awareness on the part of homeowners regarding the importance of good design has resulted in decks being lighter and less obtrusive in comparison to the heavier, overbuilt structures of years past. The style changes that have affected the design and decoration of indoor spaces have moved outside permitting the deck to become more minimal, varied, whimsical, romantic or rustic.

Creating a deck design style for an older home can sometimes present a real challenge. A deck attached to a Victorian, Tudor or Spanish style home can easily be an awkward fit. Even a Colonial style home can be overpowered visually by a deck if it is not carefully designed. In most cases, professionals will tend to keep decks unobtrusive and low to the ground, often eliminating the need for any kind of railing system.

An alternative approach would be to choose a deck design that is porch-like. The new varieties of tongue and groove synthetic decking materials resemble the narrow wood planks often used for porch flooring while still being able to weather the elements of nature with a minimum of maintenance. Of utmost importance is to keep the new deck in the scale of the home with the deck not being any larger than the biggest room in the home.

Architectural elements from the home need to be integrated into the deck somehow. The profiles of existing columns should be reflected in the choice of balusters and fluting details. Look at the way in which siding boards are installed and echo it in some way in trimming out the perimeter of the deck.

If the home is architecturally distinctive, make a decision to install a custom railing system that mirrors an existing architectural element. A custom railing system might also work on a home that does not have a distinctive architectural style. A ranch style home generally has a horizontal look that integrates well with gardens and landscaping. A solid railing or one with an open grid rather than the usual vertical balusters would work well.

In recent years railing systems have become great methods to add dramatic style to an ordinary deck. New products, particularly those of synthetic decking materials, have come on the market as a result of the growing desire on the part of homeowners for distinctive railings that are easy to install and come in kit form.

In some instances the packaged kit consists of a stack of bowed steel balusters with a spacing tool for easy installation. Other kits provide preassembled panels that can be cut to length and snapped between specially extruded rails.

The beauty of having such a wide variety of choices is that it is quite possible to mix and match using preassembled balustrade sections that are installed into traditional framed wood posts and rails. If a lighter, more contemporary look that also provides an improved view of the yard is desired, a railing system of stainless steel cables or rods, tempered glass or aluminum can be slected and installed.

Another thing to consider in creating a deck style is what happens to the space between the deck and the ground. Unsightly deck framing needs to be hidden. One solution is to install skirting panels made with lattice panels, wood or composite boards. Lattice is available in pressure treated and cedar wood as well as vinyl. A solid skirt gives a deck a more formal look while open lattice gives a lighter feel to the deck.

Decking is one of the most important visual elements of the deck. It can play a large role in how well the deck fits with the home and surrounding yard. A decking pattern generally will blend with the home better if it runs parallel with the lines that are the most predominant of the house. In most cases, this translates into applying the decking boards parallel to the longest dimension of the deck.

The size of the deck is a style factor also. A small deck will look larger if narrow decking boards are used in its construction. Alternating wide and narrow boards can be used to reduce the scale of the decking as well.

Color has become a huge style factor in recent years. Composite materials are available in dozens of colors and can be stained in so many other variations. To achieve a formal look, match the deck trim and railing system color to the trim of the house. Color the decking with a stain color that matches the siding of the home.

For wood materials such as redwood, cedar, mahogany, ipe and meranti, a clear finish will do nicely. For pressure treated woods, a semitransparent stain can achieve the desired effect.

The important task in designing a deck is to create a deck style that will not only complement the home to which it is attached but also integrate smoothly into the entire landscape design.

Home gardens can be hard work but for many it is a great hobby that gives you many rewards. Gardening is the most popular hobby in this country. It helps you to relax and many say it is very therapeutic. Look at it this way, you are outside in the fresh air and you are working on a project that helps to relieve stress and worry. It is also a great way to work out without having to get in your car and go to the gym. Think of the hours of enjoyment you will get when your hard work turns into gorgeous, lush gardens. Along with the enormous enjoyment you will get from your garden, you will also reap the harvest of any fruit trees and enjoy that too. There are a few garden tips that you should follow that will reward you with a beautiful home garden for you and your friends to enjoy.

There are some home gardening tips to keep in mind when shopping for new trees or shrubs. Usually, when you purchase and plant trees and shrubs they are very small. The gardener comes home and plants under a window or near the house. These plants will start to grow and can cause some tricky problems. This is a mistake to avoid. As the plants grow, so do their root systems. If planted to close to the house they could do harm to your foundation, sewer or water lines. Not only can they cause damage to these things but then it will be necessary to pay to have the tree or shrub removed. When planting shrubs around your house they may grow tall enough to block out sunlight or be a detriment to your landscaping scheme. To avoid this trouble in your home garden, find out exactly how tall and wide the shrubs and trees will be at maturity, a very important tip. Remember, never plant a tree too close to your house. The roots could cause very costly damages and you would have to have the tree taken out.

To encourage new spring growth, prune your shrubs in the fall to allow air flow. Until the shrub or tree is established you must water them liberally. Proper watering of your trees or shrubs is essential if you want them to survive and in some cases to keep the guarantee valid. Lawn sprinkler irrigation is generally inadequate for watering these new plants. Trees and shrubs must have a deeper, soaking watering of the root ball. Moist but not “sloppy wet” is the rule. The recommended watering schedule when your trees and shrubs are first planted is as follows:

Days 1-30 – Everyday

Days 31 – 60 Every other day

Days 61 & following – At least twice per week

Plants that you have watered well survive far better during the cold months than plants starting winter without enough water. Depending on your zone, it is best to plant trees and shrubs in the fall, never in the summer. Take care of your home gardens and you will have years of enjoyment adding texture and beauty to your home and yard.

Happy Gardening!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at Gardening Landscaping Tips and Gardening Outside and Herb Gardening

Gardening can be a great hobby, enjoyed informally by tending to a few plants in your yard on the weekends. Some people, however, want to create something bigger, a true garden where they try to demonstrate the green thumb that they possess. In these cases, it helps to have a plan for your home garden design so you can create something that has a little more definition that the average flowerbed. Home garden design can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be, and a great home garden design can be a guide to working on a beautiful garden.

What Kind of Garden?

In order to better focus your efforts at home garden design, you should start by getting an idea of what sort of garden you want to have. Are you looking to grow fresh herbs and vegetables for your family to eat? Then your home garden design is going to be more concerned with the crops you plan to grow in your garden. Do you want something that’s beautiful to behold? Then your plans will be more concerned with planting groupings of decorative plants. Keep in mind that some home garden designs can incorporate both, beauty and usefulness.

Sketch It Out

When you are working on your home garden design, it’s best to have paper and pencil ready beforehand. Sketch out an outline of your yard and where you want to place your garden, then start filling in shapes for what you want to plant and where. This helps if you’re trying to define a garden along a particular line or to interact with other elements in your yard, such as benches or patios. By sketching out the shape of your garden beforehand, you’ll better be able to plan what to plant where.

Ask for Help

Once you have the basic idea for your home garden design, your best bet is to talk to your local gardening club, plant nursery, or even a landscaping professional to learn what sort of plants will work well for your design. Even if you already have an idea of what plants you want to choose, running your idea by someone else will allow you to get advice on other plants that will complement your design, or allow you to catch any mistakes before you start planting.

It’s like getting a second draft for a piece of writing. As long as you work with the idea of creating a beautiful home garden design, though, and you put in the work needed for it, you’re likely to end up with something that adds to the beauty of your yard and the value of your home.

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