Lay of the Landscape: French Garden Style

For most people, a French landscape is also a formal landscape, and therein lies its appeal. Think Versailles, probably the most well-known French garden space. It has a distinct look and feel that set it apart

How to Turn a Side Yard Into a Glorious Garden Room

Front yards and backyards are well established in the garden playbook. But the space between the exterior of your home and the perimeter of your property is often an overlooked asset, worthy of attention.There a

Vegetables and Flowers Mix in Beautiful Edible Gardens

Expanses of ornamentals planted principally for aesthetics in days past were to be found exclusively in the gardens of the wealthiest land baron or royal. There was little value for the average citizen in spendi

5 Amazing Landscapes Across the U.S.

Im going to take a trip across the continental U.S. from east to west, to look at some beautiful outdoor spaces. From gardens in rural Maine to a modern roof deck overlooking the Pacific, these landscapes are su

Mix or Mass Daisies for Two Great Garden Looks

When designing a garden, there are many decisions to make and hundreds of options to consider when placing plants. First, you have to place plants where they will actually grow. This is what separates garden d

Living Roofs Crown Green Design

Been wanting to lighten your footprint, or do you live in an urban setting and yearn for a little piece of nature? Got a nasty view of a bare roof out your window? A green roof — one covered with living plants —

Walkway Landscaping Rolls Out the Welcome Mat

Landscaping is the jewelry of the home, particularly in front gardens. It accessorizes and adds color and sparkle that might not fit into a homes exterior otherwise. The walkway to your front door is one of the

Lay of the Landscape: Theme Gardens

When it comes to deciding what you want your landscape to look like, its great to have a starting point. Exploring the different styles of gardens that have developed over the years and throughout the world will

11 Seductive Landscapes That Lure With Less

At the tender age of 16 I was introduced by my mother to the fan dance — a dated, although plenty steamy, version of the striptease. She gave a running narrative as she busted her moves, called, I suppose, by s

12 Gardens That Are Pure Visual Delights

Today we are encouraged to make the most of our gardens and outside spaces no matter how small they are. They need to serve a purpose and become an extension of our living space. The uses of this space can be en

8 European-Style Patios That Invite and Charm

When summers in full swing, there is nothing Europeans like to do more than get outside, soak up some sunshine and enjoy some al fresco dining. No matter how small their home might be (and European homes often a

Lay of the Landscape: Southwestern Garden Style

The American Southwest is a land of extremes. Temperature is the most obvious extreme element — theres intense heat, especially in the lower elevations, but with cool to cold nights and winter snow at higher el

Create a Fire-Safe Garden — With Style

Its that time again in Southern California. Fire season is in full force, with high temperatures and bone-dry fuel in our wildlands. As we watch firestorms rage across other parts of the country, we have our fin

Cor-Ten Steel Brings Enduring Texture to Landscapes

Cor-Ten steel is a material that started out as a purely functional product, due to its durable nature. It was orginally used for things like railway coal wagons. Thanks to architects like Eero Saarinen and arti

10 Beautiful Ways to Landscape With Bulbs

Bulbs are among the most anticipated flowers — their appearance signals a new garden season and the return of color to the bleak late-winter landscape. But this fall, before you arbitrarily plant a smattering of

Pile On Style With a Dry-Laid Stone Retaining Wall

Dry-laid stone retaining walls have been around for ages. Look at the pyramids in Egypt and the stone walls that line much of the European countryside — these structures have stood the test of time. Unlike dry-j

The 3 Top Ways to Light Up Your Landscape

There are only three things to think of when youre considering landscape lighting. We call them the three Ss: safety, security and sexy. Safety lighting keeps you from breaking your neck (watch out for that st

Fantastical Landscape Lighting to Kindle a Fanciful Air

Thanks to the broad range of lighting options now available, the skys the limit when it comes to landscape lighting. Once youve mastered the basics of outdoor lighting, youre ready for the fun stuff — the playfu

Modern Homes Play a Frame Game With Landscapes

Frames, be they windows, doors or other openings, can serve various purposes, one of which is to limit the extent of a view. This can create an area of focus, bring in daylight from a certain side and angle, or

Boardwalks Bridge the Gap to Nature

Creating a solid pathway through murky, sandy or shifting soils, a boardwalk creates a safe place for strolling. These simple, utilitarian landscape solutions can transform just about any exterior surface into a