What's
the first step?
We
schedule an initial meeting to discuss your needs and
objectives. These may include:
-
A master plan in which we define priorities for landscaping
the property, perhaps to be completed over a number of years.
-
Renovations of existing foundation plantings and gardens
-
New terraces, entrances, walkways
-
Pool landscaping
-
New features such as a pond. pergola, bocce court, woodland
garden, herb garden, etc.
At this time we will talk about the dominant
characteristics of your property and the architecture of the
buildings. They determine what will look appropriate and, by
extension, what looks beautiful.
Our design evolves in three layers.
First we plan for winter. We think about the structure
(bones) of the landscape and what you see all year long.
This important step determines the location of walls, terraces
pathways, fences, driveways, pergolas and arbors, playgrounds,
privacy hedges, fireplaces, and specimen trees, etc.
Next we enhance with those elements, usually trees and
shrubs, that provide the atmosphere: intimacy, tranquility,
rest, inspiration.
Finally, where appropriate, we fill in with the color and
texture of flowering plants and perhaps containers.
A sketch or
a master plan?
Many people are most comfortable with a master plan that
they can refer to and think about as they allocate their dollars
to the project. A master plan is a guide to achieve an
end...you are in charge of it and have the freedom to make
changes.
If we have decided that you need a master plan, we will do
a detailed site analysis and begin working on design concepts.
At this point another meeting is scheduled to discuss in greater
detail all the elements involved. We review sketches and
photographs of ideas and material selections. Sometimes we may
want to schedule visits to nurseries or stone yards.
After approval of the design concepts we prepare a scaled
landscape drawing.
Many times we will forego the formal drawing and use the
sketches for planning the installations and budgeting.
How involved
should you be?
Some clients have a sense of what they want to achieve but
don't know how to achieve it. We enjoy the collaboration of
working with our gardening clients who want to be highly
involved in the process.
For some clients, the outside property feels overwhelming
and they are seeking our professional expertise to define what
aesthetic their property requires.
And some people are just too busy for any involvement and
want to hand us the reins, with budgetary guidelines, and off we
go.
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