Archive for the ‘Landscape’ Category
In the first millennium, a wealthy Roman family would most likely have had a garden surrounding their home. In it, you might find an open-air palazzo, pergola-style structures dripping with vines and blooming flowers, a dining area with couches for relaxation, water features such as an outdoor water fountain or wall fountain, and walkways that led out into the garden proper, perhaps to a prized rosebush or into an olive grove. These are some of the elements characterizing what is now called classical landscape design, also known as traditional landscape design.
Classical landscape design is a subset of formal landscape design that uses linear, clean lines to develop an uncluttered look. These lines can be drawn with rows of trees and well-trimmed hedges, perfect plantings for the classical landscape design. Or perhaps a seat wall made of regimented terra cotta tiles can do double-duty. Here and there, vines, such as ivy or wisteria, can soften any harshness. In this regard, this style is similar to the Mediterranean landscape design with its Roman and Greek influences.
The History of Classical Landscape Design
Borrowing influences from previous civilizations, classical landscape design solidified in Rome and the surrounding countryside. Villas were built with comfortable courtyards, sparkling with the sound of water, shaded by large trees, fragrant with rosemary and citrus fruits. It was from this setting that we got the term “pleasure garden. “
In England of the late 1700s, property owners started looking backwards, past the Baroque period and the Renaissance, to the beginnings of western civilization. There, they found classical landscapes making use of woods, water, indigenous plants and small temples. These elements were incorporated into the gardens of that day, further defining the principles of traditional landscape design.
By the way, when Rome fell to the barbarians, the gardens had become so exquisite that the barbarians chose not to ransack them. Instead they kept them up and learned from them. This development is one of the early examples of how we, as humans, learned that beauty can change the world: it can stop violence. This principle is now being used to good effect in gardens started as rehabilitation projects in prisons, inner cities and ghettos.
Choices in Classical Landscape Design
As with all landscape design, the architecture of the house needs to be considered when using a traditional landscape design. For this style, the home and landscape can be tied together through the subtle placement of a hardscape feature, such as the use of tumbled travertine for the courtyard flooring.
Because of the formal principles inherent in this style, you want to strike a balance when choosing materials between boring blandness and baroque lavishness. Think instead in terms of interesting variety. For instance, well-contained decorative gravel can provide color and texture. Courtyards, pool decking and patios should use materials that are symmetrical, in keeping with the formal style. Stone, terra cotta tiles and flagstone are appropriate choices. Granite benches, concrete grottoes and marble urns add sturdiness and reference antiquities.
Your preference for classical landscape design can also be demonstrated in the plants you choose. Your residential garden will be enhanced by fruit trees and other dwarf trees-or perhaps a stand of cypress, mulberry or fig trees. The cheery colors of marigolds, hyacinths and roses are well suited for the classical landscape design. Herbs planted in terra cotta pots scent the air and provide fresh flavor in your outdoor kitchen cooking.
Hardscapes in Classical Landscape Design
Color, form, line, scale, and texture are your means of expressing classical landscape design preferences just as they are with modern landscape design.
Hardscapes to include:
Outdoor rooms for outdoor living. These living areas, in effect, make your home bigger. They also serve to create transition areas that connect the indoor and outdoor spaces. Plus, they further the notion that a garden is a place of rejuvenation. In particular, outdoor kitchens are important to the traditional landscape design.
Outdoor water fountains. If you remember your ancient world history classes, you know that the Romans perfected the aqueduct. So water is prized within classical landscape design and nothing showcases it like a picture-perfect outdoor water fountain. Look for fountains in formal, Romanesque, Italianate, Mediterranean and rustic styles. Those made of tile, cast stone, cast iron and concrete work particularly well with this style.
Swimming pools. When placed within a classical landscape design, the shape of your swimming pool should tend towards basic geometric shapes like rectangles and ovals. Thus, the shape of the pool frames the water and turns it into a classical design element of the landscape. It is often efficient to combine the pool with an outdoor water fountain to eliminate some maintenance redundancies.
Landscape lighting. Landscape lighting is another important element of traditional landscape design as it creates ambiance and lets you enjoy the outdoors, night and day.
Classical Landscape Design: A Houston Setting
”We implemented a classical landscape design for one of our Houston clients, whose home was French Country. For the garden, we chose a design that closely resembles a famous garden in Florence,” says Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds. “The landscape design makes good use of gravel and limestone, which looks very natural in a Houston garden. And we planted boxwoods, which we trim and shape regularly as part of a well-thought-out residential landscape maintenance plan. It is a lovely and relaxing space. “
1. Why landscaping picture?
Most often we would have a picture in our mind telling us how exquisite and different we want our landscaping to be done when compared to our neighbors. However, it would not be as easy to explain it to another person; why not a professional landscaper himself? When you go through various landscaping pictures, you get that clear-cut defining ability and you can elaborate as to what exactly you are looking for. Even if you have no notion about how the landscaping needs to be done, these pictures would give great inspirations to proceed further. Seldom do people have practical and suitable idea of landscaping when they are doing it new. So when you are choosing to renovate your landscaping activity next, ensure that you look for various pictures suiting what you have in mind.
2. Professional landscaper and landscaping pictures
Always ascertain that, however specialized is the landscaper you have chosen, at the very outset, he would show you different landscaping pictures. This would help you in knowing how the landscaper has an idea for the look of your house once the activity is completed. Such pictures would assist you in choosing the apt landscaper for having your job done as the picture they manifest would give you more information about them, such as their imagination and what work they plan to do. Consequently, always make the choice for your landscaper only after you have seen some interesting landscaping pictures.
3. Flip through the pictures
You should never forget to ask your landscaper about the different pictures of landscaping which he has done in the past. These are usually completed projects and they would give you an idea about your landscaper’s proficiency at work. Experienced and the best of landscapers usually have more than one picture of their completed projects. They would also imply that you flip through their pictures portfolio and leave your decided choice up to them. Would this not give you abundant options to choose the right professional group?
4. Make the right choice
Landscaping would bestow upon that fabulous look of your house. Therefore, you would definitely want people passing by, to mention those affirmative statements as they observe your certified landscaping. A charming garden would give you not just what you are expecting, but more! Hence choose the right landscaper for your job deciding upon his pictures and lead the sport of perfect landscaping.
You may not be interested in landscaping ideas but if you own a home with a yard then you should at least learn a little bit about landscaping. Eventually you will have some type of landscaping done and it is best to be prepared if you can. Basic, effective landscaping ideas are not that hard to find and the landscaping process can actually be fairly easy if you have some landscaping knowledge. And if you are an expert landscaping hobbyist, then you are always on the lookout for new ideas.
Where To Look For Landscaping Ideas
The Internet is one of the first places you should look for good landscaping ideas. You can easily and quickly search through many different sites to access many landscaping ideas. You will be able to obtain many options and can dramatically shorten your search for landscaping ideas. You can search by specific designs, focus pieces or plants and determine what will work for your area, weather and soil.
About. com is an Internet website you should visit when looking for landscaping ideas. This site provides how to information about anything. A few landscaping topics that are discussed on this site are Tree problems, Landscape design in Seattle, Fall Webworms, Perennial Flowers that Bloom in the Fall, Moonbeam Coreopsis Plants, and many more topics. You may find that you are able to do many of the landscaping yourself.
About. com is a great website and may be the best place to begin your search for landscaping ideas. Besides describing different landscaping ideas they also provide how-to information about even the most basic landscaping procedures.
All About Lawns is another available website that provides resourceful and useful information on landscaping and landscaping ideas. Find ideas in magazines, landscaping online, talk to local garden merchants, look at your neighbors gardens, and make a landscaping wish list are some of the more popular topics presented on their website.
No matter what method you use to come up with new landscaping ideas you need to remember that you should be having fun with landscaping. If you don’t put yourself and your personality first when landscaping then you will not create a unique design that you will enjoy. This is your project so don’t let anyone push you around.
If you did not find the Internet helpful then you should visit your local landscaping or hardware stores. The professionals there will be able to answer your questions and provide you with landscaping ideas, tips and suggestions.
There was something different from your home. You need a unique home decor and friendly environment. For reasons like this, everyone chose the home landscape design for the exterior of their home. This is because their need for outside air circulation as well as outside the green landscape that may hamper their homes beautiful scenery. Since then they think of making a bit of innovation to change their outer structure. For the citizens of Sydney, Landscape Design Sydney becomes an alternative choice when they want outdoor space with eco gardens that make them enjoy the beautiful outdoor of home atmosphere.
You also can create the same atmosphere in your home. With simple decor in your homes outdoor section, you can add regular grass plants and the eco garden can beautify your yard. Garden design Sydney is one choice and you will get ideas for decorating the outdoor space of your home. This proves that the outside air is very important to you. You can leave open space on part of your home for fresh air that will go into the house. Eco garden help you to incoming air to be fresher and cleaner. If you want a house just like in Sydney, you need a Landscaping Sydney that provides inspiration for your outdoor space at home. You can think of these new ideas and create a new atmosphere in your home.
It hardly matters whether you want to landscape your yard yourself or if you want to have a professional landscaping company do the work for you. Either way you want to have an idea of the design you want in your yard. It is advised that you select two or three different designs and talk them over with the landscapers.
When you have finally decided to have landscaping then you would first like to think of your own landscaping designs. The first thing that you should do in this process is make a diagram of your yard. If you are not a particularly good drawer, that is alright, since you just need the basic shape of your yard, and this is something that can be easily done.
Once your drawing is complete, it is time to think of how to implement your planning into realization. When it comes to simple landscaping designs, you can choose from a variety of ideas.
Now decide what flowers and or plants you want in the front of your home first. Your front yard is the welcoming portion of your home so pay special attention to make sure it appears to welcome people. You need to choose what all flowers and plants will of course be determined in part by what climate you live in. So look into what types of flowers or flowering plants are available in your area.
If you have a front porch, one specific type of landscaping that most of the people really seem to love is the use of hanging plants. The front porch should be welcoming and also comfortable enough to spread happiness and positive vibes that you can sit and relax without a problem.
These are just a few of the simple landscaping designs that you can choose from. When it comes to the different varieties of more complex landscaping designs that you can choose from, consult a landscaping company. However, it should be noted that the price might be expensive if you have a large yard or want particularly ornate design.
For more information on these or other landscaping ideas consult a local landscaping company, a gardening shop, or look in landscaping magazines. Find a look you like and stick with it while designing. Choosing a landscaping design is only as difficult as finding one that you really do like. It does not have to be so complex that you can not complete it on your own, just something you like.
You can also find more info on www. interlinklandscaping. com. It is a comprehensive Landscaping Company which provides information about Landscaping.
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