Placing your water garden near your house allows you to hear your waterfall through open doors and windows. When time allows, pull up a chair and sit a spell outside.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Outdoor Spaces: A "Peace" of Paradise
With the financial stress of today's economy, we could all use a little "peace" of paradise to calm our nerves and lift our spirits. Investing in a small (or large) water feature is truly an investment in your health. Listening to the melodic waterfall while sitting by the pond's edge is sure to lower your blood pressure and improve your outlook on life.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Aquatic Plant Beauties
School has begun but summer is still going strong in the water gardening world. While some of your annuals may start looking a little shaggy, many aquatic plants still look healthy and beautiful. Here's a few of my favorites.
Nothing boasts summer like a bright, Yellow Snowflake. The petals' frayed edges add to the playful character of this show-stopper.
Nothing boasts summer like a bright, Yellow Snowflake. The petals' frayed edges add to the playful character of this show-stopper.
Friday, August 5, 2011
From Landscape to Waterscape
People love before and after photos ... an ugly duckling turned swan. I like to think this is because a positive transformation touches on something personal to each and every one of us. We each see our own flaws, and stand in amazement when our spouse or love interest thinks that flaw is cute and endearing ... we're also appreciative they feel this way. And so it is with before and after projects ... someone has looked at a dilapidated home and seen the charm of yesteryear that can be restored. Or consider the barren, boring yard that an artful landscaper sees as a blank canvas for a creative outdoor oasis. So today I'm sharing some amazing transformations with you, in hopes you'll be inspired to create some beauty of your own ... in your own backyard.
BEFORE: Hundreds of thousands of yards look just like this one. Lots of green grass, a fence for privacy, a shed for tools, a patio for outdoor dining, and a shrub or two.
BEFORE: Hundreds of thousands of yards look just like this one. Lots of green grass, a fence for privacy, a shed for tools, a patio for outdoor dining, and a shrub or two.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Livin' the Outdoor Lifestyle
Back in the 1950s, the lawn was a status symbol of suburban living. The bigger and greener the lawn, the better. The first lawn spreader was invented during this era, and the market was flooded with lawn care products. Today, we're ripping out those green lawns for eco-friendly landscaping solutions like native plants, rainwater harvesting systems, and ecosystem ponds. In addition, we're moving the indoors out ... fireplaces, cushioned furniture, gazebos, even kitchens have moved outdoors. Here's a home located in the suburbs of Chicago that truly seems to have it all when it comes to outdoor living.
Outdoor kitchen to the left, beautiful paver patio for enjoying waterfront views, and a floating deck and gazebo for personal interaction with this amazing pond and waterfall.
What a great place for entertaining! Ample seating is available on the floating deck and dining furniture is available at the far end of the paver patio, as well.
A rustic boardwalk traverses the pond, beckoning visitors to feed the fish up-close, or simply dangle feet into the cool water. By the way, this backyard is featured on a pond tour in Downers Grove, IL on August 20th. The tour is free and more information is available here.
Ornamental shrubs soften the cool, hard edges of rock and lend a calming color palette to the overall design. Very natural. While only 2 years old, this water feature looks as though it's been part of the property forever.
Mossy, well-worn rocks were hand selected to provide an aged feeling to this new water feature. The small rock urn on the right was hand-crafted and pieced together by an artistic friend and pond builder, of BJL Aquascapes in New Jersey.
The same waterfall scene all aglow with energy-efficient LED lights.
Rain dances on the pond while beautiful greenery hugs the rocks.
Large stepping stones descend from the patio to a pebble beach. This is a favorite spot of the children and their friends.
This outdoor paradise is a far cry from the plain, grassy turf it once was. With a little design inspiration, there's no telling what you can create in your own backyard! What element would you enjoy most? And don't forget, you can see this pond in person on August 20th during a FREE Pond Tour in Downers Grove, IL. Click here for locations, descriptions and directions to the ponds.
Linking to:
Wow Us Wednesday at Southern Savvy Style
Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer
Outdoor kitchen to the left, beautiful paver patio for enjoying waterfront views, and a floating deck and gazebo for personal interaction with this amazing pond and waterfall.
What a great place for entertaining! Ample seating is available on the floating deck and dining furniture is available at the far end of the paver patio, as well.
A rustic boardwalk traverses the pond, beckoning visitors to feed the fish up-close, or simply dangle feet into the cool water. By the way, this backyard is featured on a pond tour in Downers Grove, IL on August 20th. The tour is free and more information is available here.
Ornamental shrubs soften the cool, hard edges of rock and lend a calming color palette to the overall design. Very natural. While only 2 years old, this water feature looks as though it's been part of the property forever.
Mossy, well-worn rocks were hand selected to provide an aged feeling to this new water feature. The small rock urn on the right was hand-crafted and pieced together by an artistic friend and pond builder, of BJL Aquascapes in New Jersey.
The same waterfall scene all aglow with energy-efficient LED lights.
Rain dances on the pond while beautiful greenery hugs the rocks.
Large stepping stones descend from the patio to a pebble beach. This is a favorite spot of the children and their friends.
A closer view of the pebble beach where the kids can have hours of fun with their buckets and beach toys. Water lettuce at left provides an element of softness.
A fallen log slows the water before cascading over small rock pillars. What a unique waterfall design!
This outdoor paradise is a far cry from the plain, grassy turf it once was. With a little design inspiration, there's no telling what you can create in your own backyard! What element would you enjoy most? And don't forget, you can see this pond in person on August 20th during a FREE Pond Tour in Downers Grove, IL. Click here for locations, descriptions and directions to the ponds.
Linking to:
Wow Us Wednesday at Southern Savvy Style
Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer
Friday, July 22, 2011
Ponds Aren't Just for Fish
Baby, it's hot outside! If you're one of the lucky souls who has their own water garden, you can easily take advantage of its cooling magic during the dog days of summer. You can swim in a large pond (don't worry, the fish won't bite). And with a smaller pond, you can dangle your feet into its refreshing waters. A pond cools the air around it so if you're like me and hate being cooped up on a summer day ... no matter how hot ... be sure to sit by your pond where the air is cooler. A patch of shade and a gentle breeze will simply add to the refreshment you'll enjoy.
Water gardens pull kids outside, away from the TV and video games. Mom and Dad get to spend relaxing time watching their children and catching up on the day's events. This is so much better than reality TV!
Water gardens pull kids outside, away from the TV and video games. Mom and Dad get to spend relaxing time watching their children and catching up on the day's events. This is so much better than reality TV!
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