Saturday 8 March 2014

Collecting Wild Plants For the Landscape


When a gardener asks me how to collect Plants in the wild Im apt to say "Dont do it."

This answer is not prompted by any view of conservation, but one of dollars and cents and labor.

Just figure it out for yourself. For one, or a few Plants you drive 20 rough miles into the mountains (40 miles round trip at.75 cents per mile). Then there is the problem of lugging tools and wet sacks a half mile to the location of the Plants. Then comes the digging of the plant or Plants (why do the "selected" ones always grow among rocks?) After the Plants are burlapped comes the time to carry them (35 pounds or more) back the half mile to the car. After a hurried trip home the Plants are planted and watered. Somehow they always look much more scraggly when they are out in the open. What is the result? A 50-30% chance that the scraggly plant or Plants will survive.
I dont like the odds.

As for me, Ill go to a good nursery and pay 10 to 15 dollars for a well-shaped plant growing on a pruned and active root system. Its already dug, so all I do is take it home and plant it. The odds? About 95 to 5 that it will never show that it has been moved.

For all usual cases that is still my answer.

Those Rare Plants

There are unusual cases where Collecting is worth the trouble, however. If you find a special plant, one with unusually large or colorful bloom, better foliage or something of the sort, it may be worthwhile to bring it into your garden for further observation.

The only catch is that of the chance of losing the plant in transplanting it. With rare Plants you just cant afford. 50-50 odds.

Here is a trick for juggling the odds in your favor.

When you have selected your plant, decide how large a ball of earth you should lift with it to give it a good chance of coming through if it has a good root system. Dont forget that a wild plant almost always has so wide ranging a system of roots that you cant hope to collect more than a small fraction of it.

Now draw a circle of the selected diameter around the plant. Mark the quadrants of the circle. Now dig a trench around two opposing quadrants. Make the sides straight down to the full depth of the future ball, cutting all roots cleanly.

The trench need be only as wide as the digging tool.

Now fill the trench with a light, fluffy mixture of compost ("forest duff") and a little soil.

If you do this in October or November you can then relax until Mareh: Then return and repeat the operation for the other two quadrants.

At the next planting season you can ball this plant, working from the outer edge of the trench. Your plant will have formed a multitude of fine feeding roots in the light back-fill in the trench.

Under such circumstances you should hardly lose a plant in a hundred.

Did I hear you say "Thats hard work?"

It certainly is. Im sure you will agree that it is too much for any ordinary plant.

Of course, if your plant is as unusual as you think it is, its worth it. If not, be lazy like I am. Just let your nurseryman do the work. Its cheaper really, and it surely saves a lot of spade work.
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Friday 7 March 2014

A FLORAL DISPLAY A MONARCH COULD LOVE or A SWEEPING DISPLAY

Every two years since 1971, volunteers in Brussels, Belgium have constructed a massive and stunning floral carpet in the towns Grand Place (a UNESCO World Heritage sight). The finished product comes in at just under 20,000 square feet and one million flowers. The design is always different, but the flowers are always begonias. Belgium is the worlds largest producer of the vibrant flowers.




Officially, the first "Floral Carpet" as its present-day form was created in 1971 on the Grand-Place by the landscape architect E. Stautemans.  Stautemans had been experimenting with this art form since the early 50s making simple small carpets, more like rugs, mainly consisting of begonias. He very quickly realized that floral carpets would be an excellent vehicle for the promotion of his beloved begonias, which he had always worked with, technically, economically and aesthetically.
This coming year (2010) the floral carpet will be created in Brussels during the second week of August.



The slender thread which links this post and the previous two (Daniel Ost, Vaux-le-Vicomte) is the ornate and stunningly flamboyant influence of traditional French design. In looking at these floral carpet designs, one can they see influence of 17th, 18th century French tapestry and ultimately the French parterre in every design.
Louis still rules!



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Thursday 6 March 2014

Help Your Landscape Survive Drought

Watering

1) Use drought tolerant plants ( ex. native plants, deep rooted plants such as Persimmon, Loblolly Pine, Oak, Hickory )

2) SHADE!!! Drought tolerant trees filtering the sun will drought proof the rest of your garden ( avoid water hungry greedy root trees such as Poplar, Willow, Maple ).
In cases of extreme heat it is ok to built structures using cloth over newly installed perennials, plants ( never use plastic which intensifies heat )

3) Sun exposed unshaded concrete and asphalt may not make the entire planet warmer but it will make your garden hotter and can cause serious damage to many more delicate garden plants during heatwaves. While Southern Oak / Pine as well as Ginkgo and some other trees can tolerate this kind of heat, I see many trees and plants used in parking islands in shopping mall parking lots that are totally inappropriate and are certainly destined for death. Many London Planes growing in such conditions drop so many leaves in summer that their shade becomes virtually worthless.

- Always control weeds in your garden. They compete for food and water.

- Fertilize your plants. Early spring for vegetative growth and fall for root growth is especially important. Much of the plants root growth occurs into the fall long after top growth has ended for the season. A healthy root system equals a healthy plant next year. FALL IS AN EXCELLENT TIME TO PLANT because of this. I find fall plantings fertilized immediately with bonemeal are much stronger the following summer than are plants planted the following spring which are more delicate and need more water in the summer heat.

- Quality of soil is excellent and DIG DEEP. Many trees that are drought tolerant such as Hickories and Southern Pine are so because of their deep roots that reach a layer that may only dry out during long term extreme drought and not a typical several week summer dry spell. This does not help if there is a layer of rock, clay or construction debris blocking their downward advance. A tree is a long term investment, planting it right will permanently affect its growth and survival.

- DO NOT PLANT TREES 2 FEET UP IN THE AIR. The center of the root ball should be 2 inches above surrounding soil AT MOST for drainage if that is an issue. Trees planted to high will be PERMANENTLY affected by drought more than they need to be. Any landscaper that does this is either doesnt know what they are doing or are too lazy to dig a real hole. Mixing organic material into the soil, especially if it is sandy will help increase water retention during dry periods. I should know this more than anyone. I used to live outside of Leamington, Ontario which while summer thunderstorms are frequent, that water would run right through the sandy soil leaving the plants dry in no time.

- Use sprinlers during the daytime into dry air and you will find alot of the water will evaporate and never reach your plants.

- Scoop little bowls in the soil around the base of each plant to hold water. When you water it, the water should be going into the ground, not running away from the plant. If you see water running down your driveway or sidewalk then you know you are wasting water.

- Water deeply, directly onto the root systems, and not too often, early in the morning or in the evening. Water deeply and your plants will develop deep roots. Younger plants will need to be watered more deeply than older, well-established plants.

- MULCH!!! shredded bark or leaves, fine gravel, straw or grass clippings all helps protect and cool the soil from the burning summer sun as well as conserve moisture.
Most plants discontinue growth if the soil becomes too hot.

- Trees and turf dont mix. Trees with sod on top of their roots always show drought stress and nutrient deficiency faster and more severe than trees with either cool mulched soil or even bare soil. Many rural shelterbelt and foresty plantings are smothered and ruined by competition with field grass. Purchasing roundup is worth saving your investment ( and dont wait for a drought to kill weeds because Roundup only works on green vegetation ). For a lower price on Roundup / Glyphosphate shop where the farmers shop. Call your local Coop

- DO not fertilize a plant while it is under drought stress. You will burn its roots and stunt its growth. Only fertilize plants that are well hydrated. Fall and spring is better anyway.

- It perennials and shrubs are wilting and suffering from extreme drought and cannot be reached with water CUT THEM BACK. Its better than them dying. Most perennials ( excluding ones that go dormant early which are by now probably already "resting" for next year ) and shrubs will continue next year if this is done.
The less excess growth a plant has, the less water it needs to support that growth.

- Use a rain gauge. Most plants and lawns can thrive on an inch of water per week in the summer season.

- If there is a watering ban in your area, then you will have to allow your lawn to enter a dormant state. The lawn turns brown when it goes into dormancy, but the crowns or growing points of the lawn will remain alive for at least 4 to 6 weeks without water.

- DO NOT SPRAY WATER ALL OVER YOUR PLANTS IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY ( esp. Beech and Japanese Maple ) you seriously risk intensifying the sun and burning the leaves.
On other plants you may also increase the risk of fungal diseases and on all plants you will loose most of the water due to evaporation anyway.

- Water woody plants and perennials during evening. This will allow the plants to recover from the days heat and absorb all the water they need.

- Watch for Spider Mites on conifers especially Dwarf Spruces as well as Lacebug on Azaleas. Browning on foliage looks like drought damage from a distance but on closer inspection tells the tale of the Rocky Mountain Locust Plague in miniature.
These infestations may happen during drought and further weaken or kill the plant.

Water fewer days, but deeper. This will encourage your plants to send their roots deeper, making them stronger and less susceptible to dry spells.

Harvest your rain! Consider putting in a rain water tank to collect the water running off your roof. The pure water (no additives) can be used directly on your garden and your plants will love you for it.

Lawns

- To keep your lawn alive during this drought dormancy, apply only 0.2 inch (3 mm) of water each month. Apply this water in the early morning in order to allow plenty of time for the lawn to absorb it before the sun appears. This very small amount of water will help keep the lawn alive, but it will not stimulate the lawn to break dormancy. You want to avoid watering heavily and breaking the dormancy, and then letting the lawn dry out again, forcing it back into dormancy as this can stress and kill your lawn.

- Eliminate lawn grubs permanently with Milky Spore. Grubs chewing the roots of your lawn will certainly help kill it during drought. You will then see big dead patches in your lawn in the fall when your neighbors turns green.

- Water lawns too frequently and you will turn your lawn into the botanical equivalent of a crackhead. It accomplished nothing but weak surface rooting and more diseases.
Watering deeply once a week will encourage deeper rooting and deeper roots drink from a layer of soil which dries out far less frequently than the surface layer. Shallow rooted lawns and lawns getting reflected heat off concrete and asphalt are always the first to go brown during watering bans.
Soil preparation is important before sodding and seeding. Sod placed directly on top of hardpan clay will certainly end up dead.

- Fall fertilizers are important on lawns that have suffered drought dormancy. The fall fertilizers will help the lawn recovery by stimulating growth of new roots.

- If you have lawn area on a slope, it is important to use a low volume water sprinkler in order to allow the water time to be absorbed by the lawn.
Aeration also helps the lawn absorb water on slope areas.

- Fertilizer doesnt work without water; it has to travel down to the roots to be absorbed. Its much easier for roots to swallow fertilizer when its watered down.
If you have a commercial lawn care company spray fertilizer on your lawn, water the grass thoroughly following application to send the fertilizer directly and quickly to the roots.

- If the temperature approaches 37° C (100° F), reduce the temperature of the turf surface by lightly sprinkling (syringe) the area. This sprinkling does not replace the need for longer, deeper watering, which will become even more critical to continue during these adverse weather conditions. During this extreme heat it is extremely important that the soil layer 4 to 6 inches deep is kept moist due to deep watering.
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I Love This Color Palette!


Chairs by Loll
I love the rust colored wall with subtle graffiti as it meets the concrete floor and how both set off and ground the lime green recycled chairs by Loll, $580-  Ive seen a house and an apartment complex utilize this palette.  It comes off very modern but grounded/earthy.

Palo Alto Eichler Home
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DRL TEN in Bedford Square


A bizarre structure being built in Bedford Square by staff and students of the AADRL (architectural association design research laboratory).
This structure based on topographical form rather than geometric form was designed to a brief requesting a "small pavilion (no bigger than 10m W x 10m L x 5m H) that offers spatial experiences to DRL TEN visitors as well as passers-by on Bedford Square”. (Quote from AA website).
www.aaschool.ac.uk/aadrl this website has further information on the project.
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Wednesday 5 March 2014

Planning Your Garden 1

I am a firm believer that everyone can and should be involved in their garden to some extent. Even in the lowest maintenance gardens that we create, I usually try to create a space where the owner of the garden can add or change things for themselves.

If you have a desire to do your garden yourself, think hard before embarking on the project. There is a lot involved in creating a beautiful garden that will last. It may not save you any money in the long run, and it may take longer than you expect.

If you are confident in your abilities, or are just really keen to get stuck in yourself, then get all the info you can.

Spend a lot of time thinking, and planning before getting down to the doing.

I once heard a proverb that said you should sit in a garden for a year before doing anything to it. Only then will you know the effects of light, wind, sun, water and seasons.

There are several things to take into account in the design and planning stages:
  1. Who will use the garden? How many people? Any animals?
  2. What do I need in the garden? i.e. play space, entertaining areas, lawn, shade etc.
  3. What are the negative things to take into account or negate? slopes, bad soil, bad views
  4. What are the positive aspects that should be enhanced? views, trees, light, shade
Make a list of all these things first. Dont skip this step!
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Custom Eyeball Fire Pit Burner

300K BTU Crossfire Burning System with custom cut aluminum pan - 80" in length, 40" wide.

If you are a commercial business owner, home owner, builder or architect, please contact us for your custom fire pit today. 1-877-556-5255.

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Tuesday 4 March 2014

Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Kitchen


Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Kitchen



Today homes are Thomas More than simply ampere come out to eat sleep and bathe. They own evolved into multi-functional places where we locate our office exercise and entertain. As a bon ton weve begun to place angstrom unit higher value on our leisure time so it makes horse sense that designers are now finding fresh approaches to everyday living. One of the newest interior contrive revolutions is actually fetching place in the back yard with refined and comfortable outdoor kitchen and dining rooms.


In the 1950s families gathered Hoosier State the backyard approximately vitamin A charcoal barbeque grill. In the 1970s and 80s gas grills were placed on decks and patios. Now this outside sustenance phenomenon inspired designers to create permanent wave living orbit centered on eating and entertaining. These spaces fire be cozy and adumbrate operating room large and expansive. They usually hold in a cooking Beaver State food homework area and a dining space. Lets look at some of the elements that can make up the perfect outdoor kitchen


· Stone or Brick cookery Counter - The fix has decided to have the kitchen outside. momma no longer inevitably

Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Kitchen



Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Kitchen


to be sequestered inside piece everybody else relaxes on the patio. Now the grill sink and counters are all outdoor so cypher misses out on conversation Oregon good times. Natural stone or brick are popular treatments for these outdoor islands.


· Complete Kitchen Island - The concept of the out-of-door kitchen foresee can be taken single step further into an expanded kitchen island. This larger place is designed to include a refrigerator oven microwave and counter trend seating area. Bar style stools or chairs can embody situated on ace operating theater both sides of the counter. Many families choose this everyday approach for everyday dining.


· Natural pit or Masonry concealment Walls - These outdoor entertainment centers are actually minuscule rooms. Sometimes the boundaries are marked simply by amp patio floor simply stone walls in combination with shrubs and other natural features backside likewise demarcate the room.


· Outdoor Fireplace - ampere brick operating theatre Harlan Fisk Stone open fireplace is an nonesuch focal point. It is oftentimes placed crossways or kitty street corner to the food preparation area to advance people to pull together forth from the grill. This maximizes space and encourages an even and well-situated flow during parties and vauntingly gatherings. An outdoor fireplace sets the perfect tone peculiarly for dark events.


· Permanent Pergola - A pergola antiophthalmic factor perm canopy with open sides can demarcate an domain of the outdoor room. Posts potty be located into ane operating room deuce short brick walls or the posts lav be centered into a patio floor. The pergola can designate a dining or cooking area.


· Covered out-of-door Room - If your yard is in type A very sunny area and youd like approximately shade for your backyard kitchen consider angstrom pavilion panache room with four open walls. The roof and patio floor make the room and angstrom pit parry island and stone hearth can add exciting elements.


Outdoor kitchen-dining rooms can stand alone or beryllium incorporated into a pool or pond setting. inter-group communication an experienced stone mason for design ideas and suggestions.

Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Kitchen


Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Kitchen




Relate Tag : Outdoor Kitchen,Outdoor Kitchen Pictures,Outdoor Kitchen Island,Outdoor Kitchen Designs,Outdoor Kitchen Plans

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Hollyhock

Alcea

Alcea ficifolia ( Figleaf Hollyhock )
A very fast growing biennial ( often perennial if cut back after blooming ) reaching up to 7 x 3 feet, that is native to Siberia. It may act as a perennial if cut back to the basal foliage immediately after flowering.
The deeply-lobed leaves, up to 7 inches across, are mid-green.
The single or double flowers, up to 5 inches across, are borne on spikes during early summer.
Hardy zones 2 to 6 in full sun on well drained soil. It is moderately rust resistant.

Alcea rosea ( Common Hollyhock )
A large biennial, reaching up to 8 x 3 feet, though plants as large as 27 x 5 feet are known to have existed. It may have originated in the wild in Turkey however has been in cultivation for centuries. It no longer exists in the wild other than scattered locations around the world where it has escaped cultivation
The rough leave are deeply-lobed.
The single or double flowers, up to 6 inches across, are borne during summer.
The flowers are variable in color ranging from white, yellow to pink, red or purple.
Hardy zones 3 to 6 in full sun on fertile, humus-rich, well drained soil. It may be prone to rust in regions with humid and hot summers. Seed can be sown early in a greenhouse or sown directly outdoors during mid-spring. Where rust is a problem, cut plants down to 6 inches after flowering and burn the prunings to get rid of spores which may overwinter.

* photos taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario


Chaters Pink
Reaches up to 8 feet with double pink flowers.

Chaters Scarlet
Reaches up to 8 feet with double scarlet-red flowers.

Chaters Violet
Reaches up to 8 feet with double violet flowers.

Chaters White
Reaches up to 8 feet with double white flowers.

Old Farmyard
Reaches up to 10 feet with large single flowers of various colors.

Simplex
Reaches up to 6 x 2 feet, bearing single flowers of various colors.

Alcea rugosa ( Russian Hollyhock )
A biennial or short-lived perennial, reaching up to 9 x 3 feet, that is native to the Black Sea region in the Ukraine and Russia.
The foliage is gray-green.
The showy, single, mid-yellow flowers are borne along sturdy stocks from mid-summer well into fall.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun on well drained soil. It is drought tolerant and resistant to rust. It may self seed but not invasively.

* photos taken on Aug 2 2013 in Stratford, Ontario
* photos taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario
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Warming Trends Testimonials About Fire Pits Crossfire Burners

We here at Warming Trends love and appreciate all the testimonials that our clients and customers took the time to leave on our Houzz reviews page. Here are just a few of the testimonials they had to say about our custom fire pits and crossfire burner systems:

"After looking at thousands of photos for our outdoor fireplace (I have been researching for years) the old fashioned way, magazines. I found the perfect fireplace on Houzz. With one click I had the manufacture that made the insert for the fireplace, I gave the dimensions , they sent me the perfect fit and sent it within a week. My brother built the insert in a few hours. Done with two clicks, a phone call and one week later, the perfect fireplace.

Customer service is top notch. The fireplace is our families favorite thing in our home and will bring many years of good times sitting by the fire.

Thank you Houzz and Warming Trends LLC"

Kendra Ahlquist-Pollack

"We remodeled out backyard this summer. I had an existing wood burning firepit and wanted to convert it to gas burning. Warming trends made it so easy to do. I sent them the sizes of my existing firepit and they custom made the plate and burners. The fit was perfect and it is beautiful. Warming trends was very helpful and did an excellent job. We sit by it almost every morning and evening. See the photo".

L.F. Keller

"I hired Warming Trends to make a custom brick fire pit for my back yard. I did not want a small flame and Warming Trends had the biggest flame I could find. They matched the brick on my house and shipped it to me quickly. I absolutely love my fire pit and receive many complements on it! I highly recommend Warming Trends."

Burner 501

More reviews from Houzz

Houzz

If youd like to learn a little more about Warming Trends and our fire pit products, please visit us online or call today. 1-877-556-5255

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Update Steeply Sloped Garden



I got a chance today to visit a garden we completed in the beginning of winter this year. Its one of my favourite parts of my job - going back to check and see how things are going in a garden that Ive planted months or even years before.

I approach these visits as if I were seeing a long lost friend again - with mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation. Youre really looking forward to seeing them, but youre also wondering whether time may have been unkind to your friendship.

As much as I research, and deliberate and finally decide on a design for a garden, there are always things that I havent bargained for, and sometimes things dont always turn out exactly as Im expecting. Sometimes a certain plant may not have worked in its situation, other times, weather or pests have taken their toll.

But often the hard work does pay off. Sometimes Im even pleasantly surprised to see how well things have taken. It may be a combination of plants that Im trying for the first time or a plant that does very well in its new home. But it always makes me happy to see one of my gardens thriving.

Today was one of those days, and it also happily reinforced my love affair with grasses.  The steep slope from the road up to the house, on which we planted mainly wild grasses is covered in lush green Aristida, and the bergundy plumes of Melinis are a lovely greeting as you drive into the property. Bearing in mind that the garden was planted at the beginning of a relatively dry winter, the growth has been amazing.

The only blight on the visit, was that white ants had eaten the bark off the base of 2 of the Crossberries that we planted on the bank, and in the process assigning them to the compost heap.


The groundcover in front is Asystasia, a pretty little groundcover that thrives in coastal sand dunes, and great for stabilizing banks quickly. The plan is that in time the grove of Cross berries will hide the fence, and blur the boundary. At the same time they will help create a bit of screening from the house.
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Landscaping Designs Important Points To Consider


You can create a chic Landscape without turning it into a Design disaster. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, "kitsch" is defined as "sentimentality or vulgar, often pretentious bad taste, especially in the arts." Applying this term to the Landscape can be quite different. It could imply specific garden elements unnecessary in the Landscape or a plant species variety that is too dominant. Whatever the reasoning, here are a few tips to keep your garden looking unique without being kitsch.

Simplify the Landscape. Consider how you would like the space to be utilized. Will there be spaces for entertaining guests, family gatherings, play areas for kids and pets, etc.? You may also want to xeriscape gardens or maintain specific plant varieties native to your region. Too much of a good thing can turn your Landscape into a nightmare. Keep garden spaces simple and allow room for plants to mature. Gnomes and glass objects may be "fun" for some gardens, but distracts from the original purpose of a garden. Redefining the space will further clarify what plants will grow best in a thriving Landscape.
Landscaping is any activity that develops an area into something attractive and beautiful. They said that it can add value to ones properties. For instance when you want to sell your house, potential buyers will be encouraged in buying if they are attracted to the houses landscape. While there are already many professional landscapers, home owners would tend to make their own Landscaping Designs, either to save money or to fill their leisure time.

Now, many home owners who dare to develop their own front yard only knows how to take care of plants and preserve structures on their lawns but lack the ideas of how to layout Landscaping Designs. Thus, lets discuss points to consider in order to make designing easier.

The first things to consider are the tools or equipments you will possibly use during Landscaping as well as during maintenance. Are these tools readily available? Or do your Designs promote easy access to the equipments you will be using? It is important that you ask these kinds of questions so that you can avoid uprooting a plant or landscape structure because of any troubles with the equipments.

Next is the highlight of your landscape and the plants and other features you want to see in your lawn. The highlight should draw the attention of the viewers, and it should stand out among others. It has to be congruent and proportionate to other features of the landscape. Meanwhile, plants and other features should complement each other in color, size, and form. For instance, if you want your lawn to stimulate a cool feeling, then you can use cool colors of the flowers and structures (like blue and purple).

Still other points to consider are the shapes and movement of your landscape. It is better to incorporate curves in your Landscaping Designs, like amoeba-shaped flower bed. Movement pertains to plants that would surely sway by blowing winds, and also to flowers that attract birds and butterflies. All of these contribute movements to your landscape, which will make it livelier. Landscapes which lack movements are said to be as dead as a painting and kind of boring.

So, as you can see, making a layout for your landscape is not really hard, especially if you get ideas to start with. Once you get an idea, all other things will just pour out from your creative imagination. Just remember not to limit yourself in designing your lawns. And if you want to be sure, you can ask professional help anyway.

Do you seek professional help for Landscaping? Cardiff Landscaper provides expertise in different kinds of Landscaping services at an affordable price. They are equipped with the skills, resources, and tools that will give you the landscape that fits your style and needs.
http://blogspot.com/
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Bedroom Furniture and the Minimalist Bedroom

If youre thinking of redecorating your home in a minimalist style, you might want to start with the bedroom. Many of us prefer open space and a crisp, clean look in our bedrooms as it evokes feelings of comfort. This spacious and comfortable look is inherent to the minimalist aesthetic. If you are in need of new bedroom furniture, you will find there is no shortage of options when it comes to this trendy style of home furnishing.

Normally when it comes to redecorating or refurnishing a bedroom, you start by taking inventory of what to keep and what to get rid of. If youre planning to infuse minimalist décor into your home, however, you will find that traditional furniture does not generally mix well with minimalist furniture. In the case of redoing your master bedroom, decide which pieces of bedroom furniture can be moved to other parts of the house. Chances are, youll be purchasing an entirely new bedroom furniture set.

There are two major components to minimalist design: space and light. The idea behind this is to create space through minimal material elements. In terms of bedroom furniture, youll simply want the basics: a platform bed, nightstands, and a dresser. The bed is always the focal point of the bedroom. The platform bed exemplifies this with its minimal components. It simply is that: platform and mattress. These slow lying beds do not include a box spring so it is therefore essential that you select a sturdy bed frame and comfortable mattress so that you get the support required for a good nights sleep. Matching this minimal look are the other pieces of bedroom furniture. Find pieces that feature clean, geometric lines and are low to the ground.

In terms of lighting, minimalist home decorating generally prefers light colors to dark. The same white walls that sometimes give a sterile, almost empty feel to a room work well in minimalist rooms because they open space. In order to counterbalance this sense of sterility, find bedroom furniture and bedroom accessories that are darkly finished (or at least, darkly framed) that will contrast the white. Darkly colored linens also work well to create balance in the room.

Finally, in addition to bedroom furniture, consider the natural lighting of the room. This will help you make major determinations about furniture and color schemes. If you are interested in investing in a new, modern look for your bedroom, outfit your room with a minimalist flair. Just be sure to do your homework first and take your time buying the furniture, lighting and accessories you need.

Looking for a wide selection in dining room furniture, coffee tables or just furniture in general? Be sure to check out Eco-Furniture.com!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vicki_Duong
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Seizure





I visited Roger Hiorns installation in london. It is situated in a low rise block of flats in Elephant and Castle that are due for demolition. It was created by filling a flat with copper sulphate and hot water, then leaving it for a few weeks and then draining the water. The result is a space covered in sharp blue crystals. It was interesting seeing a place so transformed and seemed like another world within this flat. No objects or furniture were in the flat (except a bath tub) which was a shame as I feel this would have contributed to an even more intriguing and surreal experience.

This was a great example of a derelict and unused space being given a purpose and identity if only temporarily. Throughout the surrounding area there were many boarded up buildings even entire high rise blocks, it would be great to see more done with these temporarily unused spaces that could benefit the local and wider community.
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Ammon Jones Landscape Helps Homeowners Avoid Common Mistakes With Cincinnati Landscape Design Tips


The main benefit of hiring a professional Landscaper like Ammon-Jones Landscape, aside from a helping hand to take care of the hard labor, is the valuable insight which comes from years of experience in the Cincinnati Landscape Design business. Do-it-yourself landscaping is a great way to improve the home, and a wonderful activity for a relaxing afternoon but the mistakes of an inexperienced Landscaper could cost more in corrections down the road.

It is recommended that owners enlist the services of a professional Landscaper such as Ammon-Jones Landscape to get the Design and initial concepts started. Then the homeowner can take over the maintenance, if preferred. A professional Cincinnati Landscape Design team such as Ammon-Jones Landscape can help homeowners prevent common mistakes. A Cincinnati Landscape Design service knows the business inside and out. The team understands soil, which plants works well with others and which Design will compliment the home. Essentially, an experienced Landscaper has a seasoned eye that cannot be easily duplicated by the average DIY hobbyist.
Landscaping Mistake Number 1: Not Planning for the Future

Cincinnati Landscape Design services, Ammon-Jones Landscape, understand plants. They know what looks great now, and what will still look just as good ten years down the road. Planting shrubs for example, start out only a couple of feet high. The do-it-yourself enthusiast may not be forward thinking enough, or even know plants well enough, to not realize that the shrub may be capable of growing over ten feet high. This is particularly troublesome when planted right under a front window.

Cincinnati Landscape Design services can plan for a great looking garden this season, and a Landscaped property that will continue to improve appearances with age.

Landscaping Mistake Number 2: Neglecting the Front of the House

Most people spend their time in the privacy of the backyard. When landscaping as a hobby, many homeowners prefer the backyard to do their gardening and home improvement tasks. There is usually a lot more space to work with in the backyard too, so a lot of ideas can bloom. However, when the front is neglected, it can look really plain, or even bad!

Ammon-Jones Landscape, the Cincinnati Landscape Design service can take the small front yard space and create a look that will not only draw attention but can even improve the value of the home. Appearances count, so put your best face forward with a well Designed front yard.

Landscaping Mistake Number 3: Not Having an Eye for Imperfections

When devising a plan for the lawn, Cincinnati Landscape Designers understand that every yard is not created on an even grid. Hardly any yards are! They have an eye for bumps, curves and unnaturalness, which nature brings to every property. They work with these imperfections with an eye for opportunity, to bring out any flaws and irregularities.

Professional Landscapers Ammon-Jones have the ability to create a beautiful and inviting Design with a heightened aesthetic appeal.

The Cincinnati Landscape Design Team to Bring your Lawn to Life

Founded in 1950 Ammon-Jones Landscape is the premier Cincinnati Landscape Design service for all lawn Design and maintenance including: snow removal, Landscape planting, mulching, pruning, mowing, paver patio installation, stepping stones, fire pits and more. To see their gallery of finished works, or to contact them for more information on their landscaping services visit, ammon-jonesLandscape.
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