Weathervanes come in so many styles or themes that it would be just about impossible for someone not to find one that they really love. Styles like classical or whimsical, hobbies or pets, nautical, sports, woodland, or wildlife, and more…much more, make finding a favorite simple. Weathervanes are typically added to the top of a […]
We are in the process of renovating our Mom’s two side yards. Right now, we are working on the side along the wall of the garage. It’s been a process, with removing old shrubs, and relocated/reusing others. Even though it’s been a lot of work, it is exciting to see the improvements that the renovation […]
When we see steps that were constructed at the very edge of a walk or driveway, when there was ample room to move the steps back away from these objects, it is puzzling to us. In fact, as landscape (outdoor) architects, it is a pet peeve of ours! If you can’t picture what we […]
We think that one of the first impressions people have of someone’s home can come from the entry way leading to the front door. A homeowner may think they’re out of luck in ever being able to build an attractive and inviting entry design to their home if their front yard is on a slope. […]
This is an arbor we designed as part of a residential project a number of years ago, and we thought it may help give a little inspiration to anyone who may be thinking of putting one in their own yard. This type of outdoor architectural structure can be used as a focal point, and to […]
Landscape beds can have a many functions, in addition to providing beautiful surroundings for an outdoor living space. By using vertical elements like an obelisk, it’s possible to create a small sense of privacy. This raised plant bed is in our Mom’s backyard. It had been built years ago, and over the years it seemed […]
A wood porch can add such architectural character to a house, and present great opportunities for adding detailing to your home. Porches, being at a higher elevation than the surrounding grade, use masonry piers or wood posts to support the structural framing for the raised wood porch (ledger boards are used also, but they typically […]
Using the term ‘high definition’, is a great way to describe the classic look of the homes of the past, along with their outdoor spaces and yards. You could find a great deal of exterior architectural features and detailing around every corner. These classic features and intricate details gave these homes an abundance of visual […]
Homeowners seem to really like the idea of using natural stone for many outdoor projects. What wall, patio or terrace, entry walk, or porch stoop wouldn’t be enhanced in some way from the intrinsic beauty of natural stone? Limestone, sandstone, and bluestone are some popular natural stones for outdoor home improvement projects. These stones […]
Recently we visited a Home & Garden show where ideas abound for enhancing the comfort, convenience, and beauty of the house and the outdoors for homeowners. One of the displays that caught our eye was of a company that builds yard/garden storage structures, including garden sheds, dutch barns, garages, playhouses, and even weekend cabins. We […]
