Consults: Fast concept development in the field

It’s amazing what you can do with a couple of iPads, a laser and the right software, in this case Morpholio Trace and AutoCAD. These are examples of past consults for projects of different styles

Mid-century patio gardens, 2008.

Sometimes everything has to follow one theme. Sometimes, not so much. This design created transitions between outdoor rooms, each with its own character. Arrive, entertain, relax Arrival The entire front, including the home’s façade and garage door, got a redo. The biggest issue was that once you were in the entry patio, you were basicallyContinue reading “Mid-century patio gardens, 2008.”

Miles of ideas: remote consults + design

We developed workflows to work remotely because of COVID, but it turns out that they’re great for designing landscapes that are impractically distant. This design would have stuck us in the car for about five hours. This composite image uses multiple data sources, plus input from our client, to create something “close enough” for aContinue reading “Miles of ideas: remote consults + design”

A tapestry of colors for a front yard

Low-growing plants create a tapestry of color, punctuated by bold agaves, backed by taller shrubs and trees. It’s a great place for hummingbirds and pollinators, too. This garden has been growing for several years now, and has moved into the phase where maintenance centers on keeping the plants in bound as opposed to letting weedsContinue reading “A tapestry of colors for a front yard”

Concept for a sloping site

We’ve been busy doing consults. They’re not affected much by social distancing since they’re outdoors and we email back the drawings. Staying home in a wonderful new garden space is not a bad thing! New Style A bold, modern desert look is up next, transforming an ordinary suburban landscape into a bold, water conserving statement.Continue reading “Concept for a sloping site”

Updating a landscape

The plans went out in 2004. In 2005 or so, they were enjoying their new landscape, although it already had some issues due to a less than stellar installation by the contractor. The gate and structure sagged or wobbled (the gate brace was installed backwards). The fountain leaked, and was later abandoned. It was timeContinue reading “Updating a landscape”

Mobile Landscape Design on site

Running around a site waving your arms and explaining the wonders you’re proposing is fun, but does not work well for sharing concepts or remembering all the ideas discussed. This is especially true when we’re presenting alternate concepts that emphasize one aspect of the program over another. This is where mobile design shines. stencils siteContinue reading “Mobile Landscape Design on site”

Possibilities in the Vosges, France

The home gets a bit better every year, as old fixtures give way to modern comforts, like hot water. Outside, the mill pond glistens, the choking vegetation removed, the mill races restored, even though there’s no mill. But… maybe it could be even better… This concept blocks access to the pond from the street, orContinue reading “Possibilities in the Vosges, France”

A new garden grows in Davis

A nasty, green, unused swimming pool full of algae dominated this back yard, surrounded by safety fencing to keep everyone out. It was large, swamp green and placed smack in the middle of the garden, rendering the heart of the back yard unusable. Then a crew moved in, broke up the pool and filled inContinue reading “A new garden grows in Davis”

The plants are in!

Our project in Davis is coming along nicely as plants and irrigation fill in the design. Without the plants (and some other elements) it was much more stark – click here to see our last set of images. Next come the rest of the irrigation, then bark and lighting. Then it’s time to relax andContinue reading “The plants are in!”