Give Curb Appeal a Self-Serving Twist

Garden curb appeal is a laudable idea, but what’s in it for you? When was the last time a stranger stopped the car, knocked on your door and told you your garden looked great? Thought so.So, what if you could ma

Double Take: Is This an Ice Block in an Australian Backyard?

Its not often one comes across a square of suspended water in the Australian bush, or anywhere for that matter. Thus, this geometric, seemingly gravity-defying spa slowed down my usual lightning-fast Houzz brows

Climate Control: Work With Natures Elements for the Best Outdoor Space

Understanding your climate is key when youre adding to your homes outdoor spaces. Whether youre thinking about a simple deck or an expansive outdoor kitchen, knowing your climates particulars will greatly improv

Build a Backyard Fish Pond Without Going Belly Up

One of the most memorable times of my life was the week I spent in Hawaii for my brother’s wedding. The resort on the beach, the sunshine, the warm weather, the mai tais and Lava Flows, morning swims in the ocea

Borrow From the Bauhaus for a Modernist Landscape Design

Garden design was not taught at the influential Bauhaus design school founded by Walter Gropius in 1919, but the popular Bauhaus concept of bringing art, craft and technology into one complete work, the Gesamtku

6 Ways to Help Your Dog and Landscape Play Nicely Together

Dogs and outdoor spaces go together naturally. But with their penchant for digging holes, carving runway paths worthy of an international airport and eating plants, some dogs can wreak havoc on landscape design.

9 Outdoor Lighting Schemes That Get Universal Design Right

Exterior lighting is just as important as an interior lighting design. Universally designed exterior lighting ensures a smooth transition between indoors and out when the evening rolls in. Well-executed exterior

Reinvent It: Salvaged Pieces Frame a Parisian-Style Pergola

Pieces from the streets of Philadelphia, inspiration from art nouveau Parisian train stations and barn doors from Amish country come together to connect this historic home to its landscape. Located in Princeton,

5 Gravel and Stone Types for a Rockin Landscape

I love rock in the garden, but I particularly love gravel and other small rocks. I work them into nearly every design I create for my clients, as well as in my own landscape. Why the love affair with gravel? It

Can-Do Design Ideas From 8 City Gardens

Urban gardens may have started as a way to link us to our rural roots, but we now can turn to the cities themselves for garden inspiration. Designers and gardeners are creating spaces that are doing more than ju

Borrow Garden Ideas From Springtime in Paris

Even the thought of spring in Paris can elicit a sigh. The combination of great architecture, history and outrageously good food makes Paris one of the most alluring destinations in the world, and garden lovers

8 Modern-Day Moats That Float Our Boats

Water in the garden is magical; even more so when its adjacent to the house, requiring us to cross it to reach the front door. Maybe the magic comes from childhood stories of castles and moats, but moats certain

Landscape Tour: Garden Rooms Edge a Lawn in New Jersey

A while back we took a peek at the groovy lounge-like basement where this bachelor homeowner entertains during winter weather; now that its spring, well take a look at where he entertains outdoors. With help fro

Strike a Balance: Stuff vs. Space in the Garden

I bet I know what you’re doing right now. You’re looking for ideas for your garden, hoping to find that one inspiring photo that starts your creative juices flowing. The one that results in an “ah ha!” moment an

8 Outdoor Playspace Ideas to Nurture Kids Imaginations

Isn’t it funny that so many of our young children ignore their presents in favor of the box? And why not? A box isn’t just a box. It’s a fort, a rocket ship, a car, a boat ... And the same idea goes for outdoor

See 6 Homes That Rise to the Rural Landscape

From the dawn of time, humankind has built various forms of shelter in all types of landscapes. Our ancestors primary concerns were shelter and protection. Modern design concepts and the notion of building sensi

10 Rock Wall Ideas for a Style-Strong Patio

Rock walls have long been used to define outdoor spaces and add natural appeal to the landscape — drive through any New England village and you will likely see low rock walls dotting the countryside. Landscape d

See Chelsea Flower Show Ideas Flourishing in a Real Backyard

In May 2013 the renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show celebrated its centenary and once again gave us a wonderful spectacle of horticulture and garden design at its best. But do flower shows such as Chelsea influence

Pave the Way to Landscape Style With Flagstone

Flagstone is a landscape chameleon, one of those materials that is widely used for a great number of garden projects. But because there are so many different types of flagstone, you have some questions to ask wh

A Luxury Greenhouse Lures Manhattanites to the Country

One recommendation about a beautiful lunch spot, and this entire projects scope changed. During an interview about designing a patio, landscape architect David Fierabend sized up his potential clients tastes and