As Winter begins to release it’s grip on the Northern Hemisphere, the vegetation starts to show signs of life. Here in the Chicago area Spring starts rather late, this makes it essential to think beyond your perennial beds. Remember, plants are only part of the visual interest in a garden. It’s important to consider hardscaping your property. Many people overlook the potential for creating additional three season outdoor living space.
Fortunately, awareness of the value in adding smart garden space to a home is catching on. Aside from the esthetic qualities, a properly designed hardscape/landscape can create more usable square footage to a home. Hardscaping/Landscaping will add significant value to a property. It’s essential to have a landscape designed around the architecture of the home, making it an extension of the interior living space. In a badly designed landscape, squiggly lines are found close to the home. This makes the house look like it was dropped in from Space. The garden should be a mirror of the house. A home will usually have lots of straight lines, and so should the landscape directly around the architecture. Hardscaping and terraces are to follow this same basic design rule. The basic principal is to link the house with it’s surroundings.
If you have a stately home with lots of property, a landscape can take on curved lines and more natural organic forms away from the home. The Ravines of Glencoe, Highland Park and Lake Forest are perfect examples of where circular and organic line in a garden can be used. Space is essential to successfully use curves and circles in Landscape Design. If you have a small urban property, use lots of straight lines in the design to reflect the rectangular lot. If you follow this basic design philosophy, your garden (yard) should take on an esthetically pleasing and timeless shape and provide years of enjoyment.
Consider hiring a professional Landscape Designer and have them work with your Landscaper and or Architect. For ideas, plan a local trip to the world class Chicago Botanic Garden or jump over the pond to the famous Chelsea Garden Show in London.
Contact Watercolour Gardens by Hartong International about landscape design services.
