Custom Landscaping

Custom landscapes require design and construction methods based specifically on the lifestyle of the homeowner. Properties are shaped around the themes of home architecture and the interests and activities of the occupants. Custom landscapes require more than a just a simple knowledge of botany and hardscape design, however. They require in-depth consultation with the client, sophisticated planning and design skills, and leadership skills for managing teams of specialists brought to build specific outdoor structures and forms.

One of the first things we take into consideration is the size of the family itself. A large percentage of our clients have children, so their desires have to factor into the equation just as much as those of their parents. We need to know what these kids are interested in, and how best to accommodate their interests. We may build them a natural swimming pool separate from the custom swimming pool we build for the adults. Or, we may bring in sports experts to construct a special ball court or grassy play area to use as a soccer practice field.

Home entertainment also plays a big role in custom landscape design. How people intend to use their yard literally shapes the proportions and forms within it. People who expect to entertain large numbers of visitors will need a landscape that expresses expansiveness and variety, while people who want to entertain small groups of relatives or friends will need garden designs and exterior structures such as arbors, private patios, and trails that create a feeling of intimacy, privacy, and special treatment.

Custom landscaping also has to factor in the convenience of arriving guests by creating parking areas that will accommodate the anticipated number of people arriving at hosted events. Without some practical considerations in this area, overflow parking creates an eyesore in front of the house and a nuisance for the neighborhood. Knowing how many people normally show up for events, and how often those events are held, enables us to build driveway areas that meet the demands of attendance and contribute to the overall aesthetic of the home and property. Many properties also have service vehicles that show up at the residence, and we must make certain that any access points or parking areas we create for other vehicles

Personal lifestyle is obviously a major part of any custom landscape. Every client is different and has unique tastes and proclivities that need to be addressed throughout the entire scope of the aesthetic. While we consider it foundational to the entire design process to respect home architecture in the many forms and structures we create, we also make it a point to develop these features in patterns and forms that reflect personal and stylistic traits.

While custom landscaping is a very deliberate science that reflects the subjective mindset of the homeowner, it is always done in harmony with Nature. Trees, soil conditions, natural topography, and natural light conditions all help us with parameters that we can use as guidelines for planning and construction.