A residential landscape designer develops a landscape master plan that will reflect the architecture of the home and express the core values of the homeowner’s lifestyle.  This plan is developed after extensive consultation with the client that helps our team gain an awareness of both client mindset and intended property use.  Upon gaining a clear picture of both, the residential landscape designer then sets out to systematically develop key elements of this master plan in the areas of organic form, hardscape design, outdoor structures, and water elements that comprehensively work together to establish theme, tone, and outdoor living experience. 

The residential landscape designer develops any number of organic forms to contribute to the entirety of the landscape aesthetic.  Gardens rank preeminent in virtually every landscaping master plan.  Any number of traditional garden styles can be installed in a yard in their purist form, or in a customized style specifically reflective of a particular intent and environment.  Gardens are not the only form of vegetation that the residential landscape designer pays attention to, however. 

In a similar fashion, hedges also play a significant role in creating boundaries for outdoor rooms, gathering spots, and play areas for children.  On properties where no clear boundary exists between one lot and the next, hedges and plantings of smaller trees can form a living wall walls that shields the residence from outside view.

Tree planting and maintenance are also very important to the look and feel of any front or back yard.  Trees are some of majestic organisms on the planet.  They give shade and decoration to the environment, and they can be planted at any size in practically any location (provided they are far enough from home foundations for root systems to grow unimpeded).

Once organic patterns are been established in the yard, hardscape structures have to be created to form the backbone of the outdoor living experience.  Custom patios are perhaps the most important of these structures because they literally provide the surface areas for gathering, seating, and relaxation.  Ornamental walls work to segregate special areas from the entirety of the yard proper, and they can also a property much larger in much same manner than furniture and artwork appears to enlarge an indoor room.  Walkways create connecting pathways between varied elements of divergent interests, and motor courts provide residents and guests plenty of room to conveniently park when they come to enjoy home entertainment and outdoor events. 

The residential landscape designer must be very careful not to overdo it when it comes to designing custom hardscapes.  The intention here is to create surface areas for human activity that allow human beings to better connect with nature—not to overwhelm the environment with concrete and stone.  Materials that are used to build hardscapes therefore vary widely per form and master plan model.  It is the responsibility of the experts to select only the very best materials that will truly compliment home architecture and harmoniously blend with surrounding vegetation. 

Once these foundational elements are fixed firmly in place, specific living environments can subsequently be built in the form or outdoor rooms and buildings that are created for specific activities and lifestyle interests.  For example, one of the more popular outdoor buildings is the summer kitchen.  A completely self-contained outdoor cooking facility, it has everything an indoor kitchen has, including refrigerators, freezers, cabinets, appliances, and even stovetops and grills.  With such a structure, a homeowner can cook any meal and never have to run inside to grab food or supplies.  Generally these structures are also built with a corresponding dining area so guests can sit down right where the food is prepared.  

Other popular outdoor structures include outdoor fireplaces, entry gardens,modern courtyards, and wooden or wrought iron arbors.  These areas provide seating for gatherings, celebrations, and quiet conversations.  Outdoor lighting is always installed to make these elements visible and enjoyable regardless of time or natural light conditions.  The residential landscape designer plans each form very carefully and deliberately to reflect both the core values of the resident and to anticipate intended future use of the yard.

Water elements are also developed by the residential landscape designer—even if only on a conceptual level.  This is to ensure that anything installed in the yard appropriately compliments all surrounding elements.  Plans for custom swimming pools for example, are drafted to ensure that the pool and patio clearly respect home architecture and abide proportionally to surrounding organic and inorganic elements.  Custom fountains and natural ponds are similarly drawn up in accordance with overall landscaping theme. 

Once a detailed landscape master plan is finalized in accordance with all of these parameters, specialists in pool construction, earthworks, outdoor lighting, and custom masonry are be subcontracted in accordance with the master plan and supervised under the careful, watchful eye of the residential landscape designer.