ChicAngel Landscaping Ideas
Consider the design from above. Think about how the garden will be viewed from inside the home. For sunken patios, consider adding graphic elements to the design that are particularly pleasing when viewed from above. Here, an irregular paving pattern of mica schist stones surrounded with stabilized crushed aggregate add year-round interest for those looking down at the garden.
nature appeal
gold inner area will hive a warm light
Candle light. Notice the large planter type iron candle holders by the support posts. Can use mine as well in this fashion. Candlelight. Candles are so simple and flexible — you can put them anywhere, and you don’t need to worry about wiring. Best for casting a soft glow around a table or small seating area, look for candle holders or hurricane lanterns that will protect the flame from blowing out in a breeze and don’t be shy about using a lot.
Very cool idea to the front door. Find what will work between the stones in Arizona, that is compact and drought resistant, low maintenance and edible. The multicolored globes are awesome.
Love this idea as a pathway to the front door. Soft light along the path. A lighted alley of trees. On a larger property, a path lined with trees makes an elegant way to progress from one point to another in the garden or to light the path to your front door. Encourage enchanted evening walks with up-lights positioned at the base of the trees, plus landscape lighting on stakes to light up the path.
I love the planters in front of the support columns. Wisteria would be good here or a vine. Be careful with vines so as not to invade the structure of the column. Outdoor chandelier. What could be more romantic than sitting down to dinner in your own private garden, lit by the glow of a chandelier? If you’re willing to invest in outdoor wiring, a chandelier hung over an outdoor dining table is certainly worth the splurge. If you go for it, be sure to have a dimmer switch installed so you can control the ambiance.
Submerged lighting is not the only way to shine a light on water features. Highlight a beautiful fountain by positioning landscape lighting nearby and pointing the glow in the right direction. Just remember, less is more: Think softly glowing lamp and not glaring spotlight.
I love this water feature. The placement of the large stones and rocks and lighting at evening is so soothing. Submerged lighting. If you’ve invested in a water feature for your garden, such as a pond, waterfall or stream, help it shine after the sun goes down with submerged lighting. The glow of light under burbling water creates a magical effect, softly illuminating the landscape. Lighting designed for water features should be installed by a pro.
Arbor of light. An arbor, with or without plants growing overhead, is a lovely feature — play it up at night by stringing it with fairy lights. The soft glow provides just the right amount of illumination to make an outdoor gathering feel cozy.
Love the assorted hanging lanterns idea. Solar is best.
Love the use of grays and yellow. Simple blocks with wood slatted seat and yellow pad are minimalist and simple smooth lines.
Dark walls trick the eye to a feeling of expanse. Love the silver globes here among the grasses.
Make an espalier in tight spaces for small areas using a fruit tree that can accomodate the style without damaging the tree or bush. Perhaps plum, quince or dwarf citrus varieties. Myrtle is good as well for espaliers.
Love the mirror tiles to add the feeling of space. Build the biggest deck you can. Dinky platform decks feel cramped and can make a small space feel even smaller. Make the most of your plot with the largest deck or patio you can fit. To get a bit more green, leave space along the edges of the hardscape to plant vines to cover the fences, and add some big containers with lush foliage.
Add a structure. Pergolas and arbors help define an area of the garden for a specific use, such as relaxing in the shade or enjoying a morning cup of coffee. In a small garden, adding a structure creates a different environment in a space that could otherwise feel monotonous. Here, a curved wooden arbor provides light shade and an attractive canopy for a small seating area. Love the chimnea with the iron swirl feature for a conversation feature.
Add a focal point. What would otherwise be a nondescript side yard becomes an inviting destination with the addition of a large Italian-style urn filled with branches, a trio of terra-cotta pots mounted to the garden gate and lushly planted borders. Offering multiple attractive areas for the eye to rest makes a space feel larger. When the plants die down in winter, the large terra-cotta pot will still provide a focal point and visually
Outer space Landscape Architecture 5. Create multiple areas. Although it may feel counterintuitive, breaking up a small garden into defined-use spaces will actually make the area feel bigger. The designer of this urban garden made the most of its sloped lot by splitting the area into two distinct areas: one for outdoor dining and the other for relaxing by a fire pit. The built-in benches maximize seating, while the planting areas behind the benches provide room for vines and shrubs.
I love this exaggerated additional outdoor feel with the use of these doors, which are double paned and insulated
Q