Modern Zen Entryway Garden, from Design to Build

We are coming to the completion of a redesigned “Modern Zen” entryway garden, focused on reflection pool, vertical fountain and lush plantings in Bonita Bay. We thought that you might enjoy seeing the process build through photos from DESIGN to BUILD. The step-by-step visual story of the creative process of modernizing the space into a more dynamic and multi-functional space.
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Uncaging the Possibilities

We have all heard in home sales that “The most important view is what can be seen from the street”—that’s called curb appeal. We have found that there’s another important view that exists within the “pool cage” or “beyond” the pool cage. This area has the greatest potential for untapped opportunities. It is often overlooked in home sales, renovations, and buying for added value renovations.

By extending the outdoor living space beyond the pool cage, the outdoor space can often flow more outward, from the interior theme to the outdoors extending the living space—connecting the interior to the ‘out of doors’ living areas and beyond the exterior. To extend the spaces beyond the immediate exterior we need to consider whether a larger lawn area, a beautiful fairway or putting green exists, a natural or manmade water body or just a pretty view needs to be considered. Connecting these areas for a broader landscape offers unlimited possibilities to visually enlarging an outdoor living space for a more harmoniously “connected” home with abundant spacial opportunities. Screens can sometimes create a disconnect to these spaces if not designed appropriately, or may be too restrictive in their structure type. With careful evaluation of each home we can determine if the removal of a screened cage will enhance the home’s outdoor living space and optimize any views; in some designs this “un-caging” can create wonderful experiences with new found freedoms by connecting a home’s interior to the exterior and beyond—extending the visual surroundings in a vivid way.

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BEFORE & AFTER: The Waterfront View

In this project we felt the design element of the frame’s vertical braces forced the eye to abruptly adjust from one view to another and limited the horizon view of the waterfront. Often times when space is limited beyond the pool, such as in this project, we suggest extending the view past the pool to the absolutely magnificent waterfront coveted by Floridians. By removing the pool cage and adding a new infinity-edge spa, we achieved the illusion of a much larger space for a ‘zen like’ mental freedom. The spa acts as a quiet pool and adds a touch of ‘seamless’ resort – providing tranquility within the newly found expanded outdoor living space with a luxury waterfront view.

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BEFORE & AFTER: A Small Lot with Big Possibilities

In this project the cage’s vertical braces and low height clearance made the space feel claustrophobic and confining, forcing the eye to abruptly stop at the caged edges.  By removing the older home’s existing cage we were able to utilize untapped square footage within the outdoor living space for the greatest outdoor use — increasing the home’s overall value. On this particular project, we were able to introduce a lawn around the pool creating more green space. We also introduced a somewhat rustic stone pool coping (which was not possible with a pool cage) to create a much softer, ‘cooling’ and relaxed look by bringing turf up to the edge of the pool. This reinforced the small cottage feel to match the existing home’s architecture. In eliminating the screen, we now had increased paving area that we redesigned as turf that now acts as an informal terrace, which allows our homeowners to entertain in a much larger outdoors area connecting to the raised deck area.

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BEFORE & AFTER: Same Lot with a New Point of View 

Looking at it from a new point of view, we took time in the design phase to look at the home from all perspectives. With landscape design, all views are equally important. In this project, the view from the back corner of the lot to the back of the house and vice versa were equally considered. By adding a statement piece at the door, we guide the viewer to a more visually aesthetic view of the pool, moving the eye out and up to create the illusion of a much larger space. The clients now have an equally beautiful view from the rear of the lot towards the back of the home.

While we agree that it is important to embrace the “curb appeal,” the utility of the back yard offers more outdoor living opportunities if we can redesign use beyond the pool cage for increased home value. Many of our clients prefer pool cages but many find it unnecessary if used only seasonally, when pests and weather conditions are of little nuisance. In going screen-less, we sometimes need to compensate for the removal of the sunscreen abilities a cage can offer by adding additional details such as shade palm trees, sunbrellas, and in some projects pergola structures.

Please contact us at Garden Bleu Landscape Architecture if you are considering uncaging the opportunities for your real estate listing or home improvement at 239-430-9995.

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New Meanings to Shade-scaping

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Click the image above to see the effects of shade-scaping

 

Shade and sunshine are environmental conditions that can make or break a good landscape design. Today, with the aid of technology and good design practices, we are able to focus the best attributes of each to create drama, spotlight beauty, and even provide refuge. 

With today’s technology, landscape architects can design using time-lapsed environment rendering models to demonstrate sun and shade patterns throughout the day or season. Tools that help identify potentially problematic sun and shade areas and allow architects to design effectively (planting the right plant in the right place) potentially save thousands on incompatible plantings due to dramatic seasonal sunlight changes throughout the year.

Here are a few examples of how working with sun and shade can improve outdoor living environments.

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Creating Pattern Graffiti

Positioning plants in the path of the sun can create dramatic shadows and shading effects. In this project we created “pattern graffiti” with shade. We effectively altered the look & feel of the space in a creative way by changing a bright, uninteresting paved surface into a more attractive and actively interesting medium. With the slightest breeze, the palm fronds create ‘moving’ shadows on the paving. It all works together creating shade, movement, and a non choreographed shade dance.

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Creating Natural Spot Lights

Even the darkest of shaded areas can create an interesting and functional garden refuge when spotlighted with a beam of sun light. In this project we were challenged with a dark canopy of leaves and branches that obliterated sunlight and washed out all color. By pruning out strategic branches of the shade tree, we were able to create a spot light effect that directed the view out of the dark and into the light, towards a beautiful and dramatic tree garden filled with hanging orchids.

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Creating Beauty and Utility with Sun & Shade

The biggest challenge of a new pool installation is understanding the home environment and its orientation with the sun, pool and home roofline. The roofline cast shadow was extremely important in the relationship to this new pool. Although the studies were primarily for the new plantings, it was just as important to study the positioning of terraces for outdoor seating areas to ensure that the seating did not end up in an unanticipated shade area due to the rooflines of the house and its very important orientation to the sun. Outdoor living in Florida during the winter months can make all the difference between a space that is too cold for morning coffee and a space that is effectively warmed by the morning sun—or too hot in the afternoon for entertaining.

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Afternoon Shade


Our boutique sized team of award winning landscape designers & architects can guide you to envisioning your home’s landscape project from start to finish, taking into account the seasonal changes of sun and shade patterns for a custom design that fits your lifestyle of entertaining, relaxing and enjoyment. Contact us today for an initial consultation. 

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Ask about our 2D rendering and 3D modeling services.

 

 

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Warming Trends in Outdoor Living

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Fire tables, fire pits and fire features are a huge trend in outdoor and backyard landscape design. Homeowners and Designers can choose from a wide range of materials to create a variety of styles to fit any home design—from modern to traditional. There are several options to take into consideration when designing a fire pit for your outdoor living space and from my experience it should begin with location, location, location. Fire Pits can become a focal point in an outdoor living space, either as a starting point or or visual anchor point within the garden landscape. They can be simple, such as a bowl being purchased and delivered, or they can be more customized as a built-in outdoor features. Incorporating a fire pit into your outdoor living area provides soft natural lighting, added warmth, and a welcoming environment for entertaining guests as well as an comforting area for entertaining and dining.

Seven tips to keep in mind when designing your Fire Pit:

fire_terrace_14_crop• Location. Location. Location: incorporate your fire pit to include a view, whether it be a waterfront view, golf view or a flowering screen. These elements add to the drama of the environment. Position your fire pit within the landscape so that it does not impede the natural flow of the use of the space. Create it so that it has multiple uses: a quiet place to relax, a place to entertain. Whether the fire pit is on or off, it should still be visually appealing.

What’s a pit without a fire?: Incorporate an always ready supply of gas. We advise a gas tank to be installed and that a gas supply company refills the tank occasionally instead of taking on the responsibility yourself; otherwise you may find the challenge of unexpectedly running out of gas when you could be enjoying the relaxation of your fire pit.

See the light: incorporate lighting under seating, along pathways or moonlit through palms to create moon shadows for a more romantic look.IMG_4083

• Keep it simple and keep it safe: a remote control device is perfect for controlling the instant use of your investment. And, be sure to always follow all recommended safety precautions and specifications.

Function & utility: incorporate enough seating and storage for your style of entertaining. Perhaps the use of built-in benches as utility for storage fits your lifestyle. Storing your outdoor furniture cushions & accents can ease impromptu entertaining. You’ll be more apt to use the space more often if the area is ready and available at all times. Or your solution could be moveable seating that adds flexibility and a cost savings.

IMG_5934Noise can be a downer: noise such as AC venting, neighboring pool equipment and traffic can undo a relaxing environment. Soundscaping can be incorporated to mask unpleasant sounds. Speakers can also be added to create a mask and a pleasant environment or positioning of the fit pit location in design.

Design, dream & live: working with a licensed landscape architect can provide you with 2D renderings and offer suggestions on how to design your dream living space when taking all points above into consideration.