Imagine eating dinner outside or relaxing with friends in your new landscape next summer. Landscape design: Laura Kleppe, Gardenworkz.
Do the gray, rainy days bring you down? Perhaps it’s time to dream about relaxing in your landscape next summer with a cool drink in your hand.
Maybe your existing landscape doesn’t feel very relaxing. Maybe you spend too much time working in it and not enough time enjoying it. Now is a great time to begin planning changes to improve it. A landscape designer can help.
First, take a closer look at your landscape
In winter, when the leaves are off the trees, you can more easily see the “bones” of the landscape. These include structures such as walls, patios, sculpture and walkways, along with trees and shrubs that form the landscape’s solid elements.
Take a walk around (perhaps between rainstorms) and take a closer look. Does something feel out of balance? Is there a sightline you would like to enhance, or one you would like to block? Perhaps a tree or shrub has grown too large for the space or has struggled in your environment. Could you enhance an area for better entertaining, or add a secluded space for solitude?
Our landscape designers would be happy to work with you to correct problems in your landscape and create a space that you and your family can enjoy for many years. The thoughts and ideas that come from your walkthrough can help make the process smoother and more efficient.
Consider designs: what appeals to you?
You may want to browse some garden design books, magazines or websites. Rainy afternoons are a good time for this.
Houzz is a great place to start. Our Houzz profile shows some of our designs. You can also get ideas from other firms’ projects by searching for specific landscape elements. If you find photos that you like, you can share them with us on the Houzz website or via email, or save them for a design meeting.
There are hundreds of books on landscape design. You can find many of these books at your local library. Here are a few to get you started.
- Northwest Home Landscaping shows designs that incorporate plants suited to the Pacific Northwest.
- The Pacific Northwest Garden Tour describes 60 gardens that are open to the public to visit for ideas and inspiration.
- The Northwest Garden Manifesto talks about how to create a sustainable yard.
- Garden Design lists almost 20 garden design books.
Here is a list of garden design magazines that may offer ideas and inspiration. Or just browse a newsstand and pick up one that appeals to you.
As you peruse landscape designs, make notes about what you like and don’t like, and save photos of designs or design elements that appeal to you. These will be very helpful to our designers.
In Harmony design and installation process
Initial meetings
A sales representative meets with you to discuss your project goals, budget and timeline. They show you our portfolio and explain our philosophy, history and services.
Our goal is to create a landscape that will work well for you and your family over many years. We also consider elements of sustainability, such as:
- Selecting plants that will thrive in your landscape, are resistant to pests and diseases, and are drought-tolerant. They may attract birds and beneficial insects such as pollinators.
- Using efficient lighting and irrigation as well as efficient pumps for water features.
- Using recycled materials, such as using recycled concrete instead of crushed rock under hardscapes.
- Amending the soil during installation so plants get off to a good start.
At an initial design meeting, the landscape designer interviews you about your landscape goals and maintenance objectives. At this meeting you may want to share examples of landscapes and elements you like from your review on Houzz, in magazines and books, or at public gardens. The designer walks your landscape with you to assess its opportunities or constraints.
Landscape design
The landscape designer measures and photographs your existing landscape. This includes views and sightlines, buildings, plants and neighborhood context, then creates a base map of the site.
The designer then creates one to three concept drawings, depending on project size. The drawing will show proposed major elements, such as a walkway or patio, along with existing site elements. The designer presents and explains these concepts to you.
You review and contemplate the drawing(s) to determine which character and features best fit your goals and needs.
Design selection
- The landscape designer meets with you to finalize your concept decisions and discuss details and project phasing.
- The designer produces the final landscape plan, including design details, construction materials and an itemized planting list.
- The sales representative develops a cost estimate and proposal broken into segments so you can phase it over time if desired.
- The sales representative presents the final design along with the installation proposal and contract. Once you have chosen to install, you contact the sales representative.
Installation
The install manager coordinates project dates with you. He manages all installation details to insure your satisfaction. The designer conducts site visits as needed to review progress and direct the crew on installation details.
When the project is completed, the sales representative walks through the landscape with you to review all elements and answer your questions about plant care, maintenance or system operations.
What our clients say
“In Harmony completely transformed our yard to give us the natural outdoor oasis we desired. The design options were amazing and the install was completed in the estimated time. The people we worked with through the entire process were all very professional and knowledgable.”
“We hired In Harmony to do a complete makeover on our backyard. They worked with us to ensure all of our ideas were incorporated into the design, and offered many great ideas we hadn’t thought of. . . . Our expectations for our backyard were very high, and they exceeded them.”
“In Harmony completed an absolutely wonderful upgrade of our backyard this past fall. We could not have been more happy with the work of the entire team.”
Contact us
Contact us if you would like to talk with a designer about options to improve your landscape.
