Creating the Outdoor Living Space

We are often planning designs to build dream outdoor living space for our clients and a big part of that is considering their outdoor life style. Outdoor living spaces can range from a simple grilling station to an extravagant layout of kitchen, fireplace and pool. This blog is to help you think about certain aspects of the design process and what elements are best suited in your space for your lifestyle. Here are just a few ideas to consider for your outdoor living space!

Are you a grill master or a casual cook?

With so many types of grills, smokers and cooktops on the market you want to think about your cooking habits and what you will be using your outdoor space for. If you are a smaller family that likes to occasionally throw burgers on the grill you may be satisfied with a high quality gas grill. Whereas if you are a true grilling aficionado a charcoal grill and smoker may suit your needs, along with some cold storage and a cooktop. Below are some different kitchen styles we have designed for our clients.

FireMagic Gas Grill

Extended Cooking Station with Gas Grill, Refrigerator, Cooktop & Sink

Outdoor Kitchen with Grill, Refrigerator, Storage, Chiller, Cooktop & Sink

Do you like to cozy up by the fire?

             Once the summer fades away and those cool fall nights kick in do you like to spend your evenings outside by the fireplace? Do you have a group of friends and family around the firepit sharing good times and roasting marshmallows? Then a fireplace or firepit should definitely be part of your plan. Here are some examples of how we have incorporated fireplaces into our designs.

Casual Wood Burning Firepit for two OR ten, just add some chairs!

Cozy Wood Burning Fireplace with Seating Wall

Open Dining Area with Fireplace

Fireplace and Seating Wall Poolside

Stone vs. Paver vs. Brick

There is something to be said for using natural elements, but sometimes the budget constraints can prohibit that from happening. A great way to balance this out is to use stone on your focal points and leave the brick and pavers for those areas that might be more functional. Below we have some great combinations of all hardscaping materials.

Natural Stone Walls & Fireplace with Concrete Pavers

Natural Stone Flooring & Steps with Brick Risers

Concrete Block Wall & Pavers

Pergolas, Gazebos, Trellises, Oh My!

Last on our list of components to consider in your outdoor living space is a space for shelter and incorporating planting elements. A gazebo is a freestanding structure, with a roof to provide shade, shelter and possible ornamental features in a landscape. A pergola or arbor is usually a garden feature forming a shaded walkway, passageway or sitting area with a open lattice roof. A trellis is a support system for climbing plants. Any of these are a great way to add an architectural element to your space. Take a look at the examples our clients have chosen to incorporate in their spaces.

Dining Area Arbor

Poolside Gazebo and Pergola

Pergola and Trellis

We hope this gave you some great insight to the outdoor living design space you can create! Please contact us at info@tgrlandscape.com to discuss your dream outdoor living space!!

Celebrate Earth Day!

Celebrate Earth Day!

Earth Day is Sunday April 22 and we wanted to share just a few ways we can all do our part to help conserve and educate about our planet. 

 

Take a Hike! Ride a Bike!

According to rustletheleaf.com, “If people in the U.S. would occasionally ride a bike for a short errand instead of driving a car, over 70 million gallons of fuel could be saved each year.” Not to mention this is a health benefit. To keep up the momentum after Earth Day sign-up for a marathon and set some riding, running or walking goals. A great event supporting the planet and community is the Clean Air Carolina 5K Run & Walk, get registered here!

http://www.cleanaircarolina.org/?page_id=5054

A ladybug in flight spreads its wings as it flutters from grass blade to grass blade at Rooks Park in Walla Walla, Wash. on April 2, 2012. (Jeff Horner/Walla Walla Union-Bulletin/Associated Press)

Limit Use of Poisons and Toxins

Ladybugs are a great way to eliminate having to spray those rose bushes to get rid of aphids. They will eat the aphids and fly away with no need for the use of pesticides! You can also take care of those weeds by investing in a good pair of gloves and tools and pulling them up by hand rather than spraying with herbicides.

Educate the Next Generation on Our Planet

If we are not sharing our knowledge of plants and consumption we are limiting what the next generation can do to improve our resources and ecosystem on this planet. A great way to get kids involved, is get them doing things that are hands on. Below are some activities to do with your kids on Earth Day and if you are up for a play date head over to the Charlotte Nature Museum on April 21 for a fun filled morning of events!

Earth Day Activities:

- Create a compost bin

- Set-up recycling bins

- Plant a vegetable garden

- Take a nature walk

-          Put together a collection of reusable shopping bags

Earth Day Play Date at Charlotte Nature Museum: April 21, 2012 from 10am-1pm

http://www.charlottenaturemuseum.org/events/event/15/Earth-Day-Play-Date

We hope everyone has a beautiful Earth Day weekend!!!

Luck of the Irish

The four-leaf clover is a rare find on the common variety three-leaf clover plant. It has been estimated that there are approximately 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover. The original lucky clover is said to be from the White Clover plant. White clover is most commonly used as a pasture legume because it appeals to all livestock. What makes a four-leaf clover so lucky? The Irish believed carrying a shamrock would give that individual the ability to see evil coming their way. A shamrock is most referred to as a three-leaf version of the white clover plant. So in finding a four-leaf clover it warded off any of this evil or bad luck that may present itself. This Celtic charm has been passed on for generations and the luck is explained as one leaf is for faith, the second for hope, the third for Love and the fourth for LUCK! If luck strikes you here are some plant varieties that may present a four-leaf clover to you.

Four-leaf White Clover (Trifolium repens)

Pepperwort (Marsilea Quadrifolia)

Oxalis Deppei (Oxalis tetraphylla)

Another piece of Irish lore believed to bring “the gift of gab” is a kiss to the Blarney Stone. This large piece of bluestone was set into a tower in 1446 as part of the Blarney Castle in Blarney outside of Cork, Ireland. It was said that the builder of the castle, Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, was told to kiss this stone before he faced a lawsuit in court. In his time pleading his case he was said to be so eloquent and convincing that he won his case. If you do desire this prize of exhibiting eloquence, flattery and deception without offense it is not easily achieved. To reach the stone you must scour the castle’s tower lean backwards over the paraphets edge and reach out to kiss the stone.

Blarney Castle in Ireland

Kissing the Blarney Stone

Whether you seek luck or the gift of gab we hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!

Spring Fever & Spring Blooms

We definitely have a case of SPRING FEVER with all of this gorgeous weather that has been teasing us lately! Even the blooms are getting confused and we have noticed the Dogwoods and Daffodils want to wake up for the spring. With the energy and vitality of the flowers encouraging us to shake off the winter and start preparing for spring we wanted to share some of that inspiration!!

Daffodils growing under stormy skies in Central Saanich, the daffodil capital of Canada.

Dogwood Trees

Crocus Blooming

Cherry Tree Blossom

Tulips

To learn more about these flowers and other spring blooms you can check out some of these festivals and events going on this spring:

Charlotte Camellia Society’s 30th annual show will take place March 10-11

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden’s Orchid Spectacular January 20- March 18, 2012

Biltmore Festival of Flowers April 7-May 20, 2012

National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washinton DC March 20-April 27, 2012

Nature is showing the LOVE

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Most commonly we associate roses with this day, but we wanted to share some unlikely varieties of flowers and plants that can be given on this day. These images help share the beautiful ways nature represents that universal symbol of love, the heart.

Curled Heart by Lisa Luvz

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra Spectabilis)

Florida Sweetheart (Caladium Bicolor)

Ruby & Gold Babyface Pansy (Viola Cornuta)

Flamingo Flower (Anthurium)

Love Plant (Oxalis Triangularis)

Red Cyclamen

“Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow.”

- John Lennon

February- All about the heart!

As we all know February 14 is a day marked on our calendars associated with celebrating love and affection, this day is most often associated with the heart. In Charlotte we are getting a head start on celebrating and supporting the heart by attending the annual American Heart Association’s Charlotte Heart Ball on Saturday, February 11 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. This evening helps celebrate the work of the association and the efforts of the community to work together towards a common goal of raising money for research and programs that build healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and strokes. Last year the Heart Ball Campaign raised over $51 million nationwide to support research and programs and hope to beat that number this year!

This evening will consist of a silent auction full of vacation packages, restaurants, sports and home packages. You will have the opportunity to bid on our Residential Landscape Planting Plan which includes an on-site landscape plan with a 24” X 36” blueprint, a landscape planting master plan with planting details, specifications and a planting schedule.

Landscape Planting Plan

Ballroom at the Annual Charlotte Heart Ball

Silent Auction

Tickets are available for purchase at $250/each and will be available until Monday, February 6.

If you are interested in attending this event you can call the American Heart Association at 704-208-5585 or find the details on the event here https://ahacharlotte.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/20112012CharlotteHeartBall/theEvent/tabid/298749/Default.aspx

Winter To-Do List

Although the Carolinas don’t get the harshest winters we want to keep in mind that landscaping will need care and maintenance all year long. Here are a few ideas on how to maintain and prepare your landscape during the winter months. Whether you are looking to manage these tasks yourself or call in the professionals preparing your landscape in the late winter season can make for a beautiful spring!

Winter Garden at Cornell Plantations

Our suggestions for the Winter To-Do List:

1. Winter Pruning & Mulching

2. Apply Pre-Emergent to Lawn

3. Fertilizing & Soil Testing

4. Creating a Landscape Plan or Renovation

Sample Landscape Plan, County of Monterey

5. Lighting, Irrigation & Water Feature Maintenance

Contact us for all of your landscaping preparation and maintenance. Call 704-525-3300 or email us at info@tgrlandscape.com.