Container Planting If you need to create a point of interest, a cooling sense of lush foliage, or a splash of color on your patio or in your garden, container plantings are a perfect solution. The subject of containers is discussed in every garden magazine, with many spectacular examples out there, but [...]
Structures in the Landscape In nearly every garden style, constructed elements play a role in defining space for an inviting outdoor experience. Gates and trellises, pergolas, and cabanas—landscape structures have the power to transform a garden. The variety of styles gives infinite possibility to these elements, allowing a landscape’s unique character [...]
The Night Garden It’s easy to imagine a landscape only by the light of the sun. After all, that’s when we can best see it! But what about the experience of the landscape at night and the many experiences that are unique to those special hours after the sun has set? We believe [...]
On Decks A Montgomery Robbins, Inc. deck on the cover of Sunset's 'Complete Deck Book' For a moment here in California, it seemed like decks were going out of style. Wood was being replaced with stone and concrete terraces, as homeowners began to work with the contours of their land and [...]
Landscape Topography Topography is the science of mapping land formations - determining the depth of valleys, steepness of hills, and where the flattest areas of ground lie. As Landscape Architects, the first step to any design is understanding the site, which includes the way the land is naturally shaped. Therefore, topography [...]
FALL LEAF POTENTIAL This time of year, we are easily reminded why this season is referred to as “Fall.” Fallen leaves are invariably a symbol of Autumn, as well as a yearly chore to remove from one’s yard. But what if we told you that those leaves are more than they [...]
Pathways In The Landscape photography by: Sarah Cosca In a landscape of any scale, the experience of moving through it is as important as the experience of resting within it. Imagine a destination point—a tranquil gathering space surrounded by a garden some distance from the house—and imagine if the path [...]
Backyard Stay-Cations Over the past couple of years, we’ve been thinking more about the art of the staycation and how we can bring rest and relaxation home to our own backyards. The concept of the “staycation” isn’t new (though the pun might be), but its meaning as it pertains to the home [...]
Set the Mood: Ambiance for Outdoor Entertaining As designers of space, we understand that the feeling of your outdoor living space makes all the difference, and never is this more key than when it comes to outdoor entertaining. The feeling we refer to as ‘ambiance’ could better be thought of as the transformative experience [...]
Dining "Out" Staying home has become something we love, but it's nice to have the elevated feel of our favorite haunts—our local cafes and restaurants with their outdoor seating and casual vibes. Our favorite spots have both food and ambiance down to a science. So, we have been experimenting in the [...]
