Exteriors For Living

Exciting new Fire Features!

2011-05-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

Really impressed with this new line of stand-alone fire features from Conmoto! These smokeless, portable fire features bring warmth to your outdoor room, without the expense of a custom built installation. You can bring them with you from room to room, indoors or out. Designed in Italy. How gorgeous is this Roll Fire!

Winter Curb Appeal

2011-03-27T09:16:00.001-07:00

Thank you to my wonderful clients for sharing these pics. Planted less than 5 years ago, this garden continues to provide curb appeal all year long!

I state my case...A well designed garden should always look terrific (or even better) in winter! But enough of winter...spring is already here...and we're waiting!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Pink Diamonds & Black Lace

2010-10-07T15:18:00.001-07:00

Not sure if it is the time of year, or the autumn flowers...but really enjoying my recent garden visits. It is so great to see some of the gardens we've planted in years past...and how they are now flourishing under the care of their owners.

Debbie's garden really stands out! Just love the Hydrangea paniculata 'Pink Diamond' and Perovskia atriplicifolia...I know...tricky. But I knew it would work.

Just had to get the irrigation 'just right'. Both are now flourishing with very little water. And the 'Pink Diamond' again with Sambucus 'Black Lace'. Really strong end to a beautiful growing season.

The Boardwalk

2010-10-05T11:01:00.001-07:00

The Ipe boardwalk is finished, joining the upper and lower stone terraces. I just love the contrast between the cool white stone terrace and the rich chestnut brown of the sanded timber. The dark charcoal fencing offers a great backdrop.

Looking forward to planting day. Coming soon!

Before progress

2010-09-23T06:23:00.001-07:00

Despite our earlier delays, progress has been quite dramatic this past week. Here is a little snap shot of where we started...and some more "in progress" images; including excavation and installation of conduit for irrigation and landscape lighting.

Note, we've repaired the existing fence and painted it a dramatic charcoal to offset the white Indiana Limestone in the lower terrace area. And yes, that is artificial turf (i.e. fake grass) in the before photo of the lower terrace area!

Progress

2010-09-23T06:03:00.001-07:00

So pleased to see progress at one of our more difficult projects...difficult in that we are working within an L-shaped back garden that is only 10 ft. wide in some areas and up to 13 ft. wide in others. Imagine a crew of stone masons, carpenters and landscape specialists, all working together within such a confined area. At least the weather has cooled off for now.

Thank you to Dean, who has strategically staged the installation so that each specialist arrived exactly on time (to avoid any unnecessary delays and a crowded work space). Some even arrived on Saturday to get the job done. We also had an abrupt material change at the 11th hour which unfortunately, led to a long delay as we waited for my custom cut 12" x 48" sanded Indiana Limestone from Indiana. Apparently, it's not the quarry that is slow, it's a trucking issue! However, both myself and our incredibly patient clients agree...It was well worth the wait!!!

Nevertheless, a shout out to our crew who are inspired artisans and continue to impress me day after day! Have a look at this gorgeous Indiana Limestone and how meticulous the installation and precise the mortar joints. My prediction that a sanded 12" x 48" Indiana slab mortared on concrete would be divine! And so it is.

Can't wait to see it finished!

Untitled

2010-08-25T11:05:00.001-07:00

Looking forward to filming our latest and greatest garden rooms! Coming soon!

Untitled

2010-08-25T11:04:00.001-07:00

Looking forward to filming our latest and greatest garden rooms! Coming soon!

2010-07-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

What are Exteriors for Living? I have been fascinated with this idea for many years...since the day I graduated, new papers in hand!

I have spent countless hours defining what a "true" exterior for living means to me. And better yet, many more hours finding a way to communicate this to friends, family members and most importantly of all, to my clients.

The answer may be different to everyone, but naturally, there must be some continuity of opinion? Of course, Design is also subjective (they say), yet I believe, a "true" exterior for living can hover in the sphere of objectivity...if only momentarily.

At the very least, I will begin communicating what I believe is a "true" exterior for living...one that offers a sense of place that is not easily defined or duplicated. A "true" exterior for living must be theatrical, yet it is organically pre-determined by it's surroundings. It must also offer a practical framework and extension of the home, by connecting its homeowner's needs and preferences with the architectural context of the home.

And yet, a "true" exterior for living offers much, much more.

Cheers,
JH