When I talk to a client for the first time about meeting to tour their property and discuss their landscaping, most clients start off by saying,“we were thinking…” indicating, obviously that there is more than one person making the design decisions.

This delightful client has 17 horses on her acreage and felt separated from them. (After spending a day on site, we totally understood.) We were tasked with designing and shaping a space where the family could spend their time and while still feeling connected with their horses.

In an earlier post I wrote about making the perfect patio yours this summer season.  Well, we did just that for clients here on the peninsula.

This lovely couple had recently moved to the island from a colder climate and wanted to enjoy their ocean view and sun filled back yard.  However, a rotten deck and weirdly sloped lawn made that impossible. We got the call when someone put their foot through a deck board.

Recently we began an exciting new project here on the Saanich Peninsula.  Having worked with these clients previously on another property, we were all quite eager to begin another project together. 

Every landscape needs a tweak or two each season as it evolves, but when do you know when your landscape or garden needs to be completely overhauled? It’s not always easy to know where you fall on the continuum between a small investment and some time in the dirt or a serious investment and big equipment.

t seems innocent enough. If you have a contractor building or renovating your house why wouldn’t you have him or her include the deck in the plans. It makes sense, it’s great timing and they are already familiar with your project.  

It doesn’t get any better than summer evenings on a patio!  Between friends and good food, sunsets and conversation, memories are made.  And when it happens at your place, it’s even better. Here are four ways to turn your patio into the place to be.

It’s where you put your air conditioning unit, your air vents, your gas meter, your family’s bikes and stray tools. It’s the way to get from Point A to Point B, it’s transitional, It’s a catchall, and usually —it’s ugly.  It’s your side yard. 

One of the great things about landscape lighting is that much of it can be added into an existing landscape. Most of the time, LED fixtures and low voltage wiring are easily installed at any time for a quick upgrade to your landscape. 

If there is one thing that can elevate your garden from average to awesome it’s lighting. No wonder it's the top landscape focus right now. Having the right lights in your landscape can extend your enjoyment of your time outdoors. Good lighting is something that makes a substantial difference to our clients in their overall satisfaction with their landscape.

Have you ever stood in a bookstore looking for a new landscape design or gardening book only to be completely overwhelmed? I know I have. There is such a vast amount of knowledge at our fingertips and on our bookshelves that it can be hard to know where to start.

During my elementary school years we lived in what most people viewed as an undesirable area, in a small townhouse across the street from a graveyard. Our neighbourhood was incredibly diverse and many of our school friends had recently come to Canada from other countries, which I jealously thought was so cool. But the beautiful diversity of this neighbourhood was about the only thing beautiful to be found. Until my mum came along. 

Let your landscape reflect your style.

In the same way that a person’s sartorial style is expressed through their clothing choices, landscapes reflect our personalities in some recognizable ways. When we look at clothes we see that the cut can be tailored or loose, boxy or drapey, or some type of combination.

Container gardening is a mainstay of the gardening world. There is nothing more welcoming that an array of pots next to a patio door.  Containers are great for small spaces, corralling invasive species and adding some quirk and charm to a garden.  But what’s the biggest designer secret, regardless of colour, composition, style or size?

The question that elicits the strangest looks from clients in a design consultation is invariably: Are there any colours you would prefer to exclude from your landscape design?

One of the best things about landscaping a small space is the limitation itself. Often with large properties when everything is an option, the temptation can be to throw everything into the design. A small space forces the designer to focus rather quickly, which is a blessing in disguise.  

Picture yourself in the evening, walking around outside your home, a cup of coffee or glass of wine in your hand.  What do you notice about your yard? Does it fill you with a sense of peace and wellbeing, do its bright colours lift your mood?

There was so much going on in Seattle last week!  The Seahawks had just won the Superbowl a few days earlier and the city was effervescent with joy and pride. 

What was hot at the Garden show?