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Details in Design

December 20, 2012 posted in General Design

It’s often the details in a design that stand out against everything else. Details allow us as landscape architects to conceal the utilitarian aspects of a design, celebrate superb craftsmanship and incorporate personal design elements.

 

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Sometimes the beauty of a design lies in what you don’t see, like this cleverly designed irrigation line that is hidden underneath the pot.

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Or this rain chain that looks more like sculpture than a gutter.

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Or in the thought that went into design and construction for materials to seamlessly blend together.

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

 

Paying special attention to lighting can do double duty by highlighting details and being a unique detail in itself.

 

Camarata Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Silverstein Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Camarata Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Plants can be used to soften large areas of hardscape and bring life to an otherwise empty space by using built-in planters or simple pots.

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in General Design | Tagged Camarata Residence, Fowles Residence, hardscape, Lighting, Planter, Pot, rain chain, Silverstein Residence
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Fire

October 3, 2012 posted in General Design

 

Cool October nights are perfect for relaxing outside, savoring the last nights of summer and enjoying the warmth of a beautifully designed fire. The possibilities for incorporating fire into your garden design are endless!

Here are few of our favorites:

 

 

 

 

 

There’s the traditional fire pit

 

Camarata Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Here are few tips to ponder as you consider your fire feature:  1. River cobble holds moisture and can be explosive when heated! Ouch! 2. Crushed glass works great, but use lava rock under the glass to act as a filler 3. Winds can blow out a fire feature…plan for the wind. 4.  Some cities have permitting processes for fire features…and finally, 5. Keep flammable plants clear of the fire…a bit obvious but you’d be surprised.

 

Construction Zone ltd.

 

Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture

 

Usona

 

Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture

 

Debora Carl Landscape Design

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Or a fireplace or built-in fire

 

 

Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture

 

Urban Earth Design

 

Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Rowland Broughton Architecture and Urban Design

 

Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

 

John Maniscalco Architecture

 

There are torches and moveable fire features

 

 

Alison Brod

 

Brasa Fire

 

Mod Fire

 

Planika

 

Planika

 

Planika

 

The Sharper Image

 

Brasa Fire

 

And then there are the sculptural fires

 

 

Elena

 

Residence and Sculpture by Northland Design Group

 

Greener Grass Design

 

Zeterre Landscape Architecture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in General Design | Tagged Fire, Fire Pit, Fireplace, Modern, Sculpture, Torch
2 Comments

The Blanket Fort

September 13, 2012 posted in General Design

 

“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.  No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before…Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before-colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.”

 

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

Courtesy of John Kuczala for The New York Times

 

Are you ready to learn the secret of being a great designer? As landscape architects, we are often asked…”how did you come up with that idea?” And…”you create such great outdoor space. Where did you learn how to do that?” All we have to do is mention the words, Blanket Fort and a rush of childhood memories start dripping onto our conference room table.  This is design in its purest state.  That simple need to create and escape to a special space. We all have this in us…its innate.

 

Courtesy of thepartyfaq.com

 

 

Look at this childs focus, void of distractions…you’d think those blankets were 4′ thick concrete walls… very soft concrete walls.

Courtesy of Stuart Isett for The New York Times

 

Looking in those eyes is there any question that this is an award winning design? Perfectly planned and perfectly scaled.

Courtesy of blog.buildllc.com

 

Who needs a baby sitter?

Photo by smwright

 

Great outdoor spaces are defined by 3 blanket fort design principles…

The vertical plane….great enclosure!

Courtesy of blog.buildllc.com

 

The ground plane….check out the great floor treatment…so good she doesn’t mind settling down to a good book on it.

Courtesy of blog.buildllc.com

 

 

and the overhead plane…this one doesn’t need encyclopedias to hold the corners of the blanket down…he’s in it for the long haul.

Courtesy of blog.buildllc.com

 

This the essence of great design. Simple design principles applied in creative ways and catered to meet the needs of the end user…So, if you see your blankets being torn out of the closet and the couch cushions standing at attention…wait about 15 minutes and you’ll be asked…”mom, can we sleep in here tonight?”…say yes!

 

Want to share some of your awesome fort photos?  Send them our way at northlanddesigngroup@gmail.com and we’ll add them to the post.  We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in General Design |
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Making the Grade

August 14, 2012 posted in General Design

At first glance a garden with a lot of elevation change can seem like a challenge, but we’ve pulled together some of our favorite inspirational pics to help you turn a seemingly unusable space into an exciting escape.

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Creating imaginative playgrounds are one of our favorite ways to manipulate landforms.  A hillside is a wonderful opportunity to create a natural slide, a winding path or a secret passageway.

 

Pacific Heights Residence by Andrea Cochran

 

Pacific Heights Residence by Andrea Cochran

 

Pacific Heights Residence by Andrea Cochran

 

And who doesn’t love rolling down a simple grassy hillside?

 

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

 

Retaining walls come in handy when challenging slopes make a space unusable.  The possibilities for designs and materials are endless, but here are a just few great examples.

 

Mill Valley Cabins by Feldman Architecture

 

This first project makes great use of natural materials to blend the walls into the landscape using timber and hanging plants.

 

Mill Valley Cabins by Feldman Architecture

 

The color of corten steel contrasts beautifully against green plant materials and gray crushed stone or concrete.

 

D-Crain Design and Construction

 

Penninsula Residence by Andrea Cochran

 

Penninsula Residence by Andrea Cochran

 

Big Sur by Blasen Landscape Architecture

 

Big Sur by Blasen Landscape Architecture

 

We love how the simple plant palette below emphasizes the scale and form of the space.

 

Shades of Green Landscape Architecture

 

Bastian Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Bastian Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Gabion walls are a great way to incorporate natural stone into your design.

 

Badec Bros Deco

 

Multiple levels really help to break down this large space and the natural weathering on the corten steel is awesome.

 

D-Crain Design and Construction

 

Creating small gathering areas as shown in the image below is a great way to take advantage of elevation changes and highlight the views.

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Just as there are endless ways to retain a slope, there are also endless way to travel through it.  We particularly like how the following image transitions seamlessly across the stairs.

 

D-Crain Design and Construction

 

Marmol Radziner

 

D-Crain Design and Construction

 

Ziger Snead Architects

 

D-Crain Design and Construction

 

The grass covered steps in the background of this garden are beautiful.

 

Ten Eyck Landscape Architecture

 

Maher Residence by Huettle Landscape Architecture

 

Jeffrey Gordon Smith

 

 

Need some help figuring out what to do with the slopes in your garden? Leave us a comment in the reply box below.

 

 

 

Posted in General Design | Tagged Bastian Residence, Corten Steel, Fowles Residence, Playgrounds, Retaining Wall, Stairs
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Why We Design

August 4, 2012 posted in General Design

‘The Cloud Gate’ at Millennium Park in Chicago. Designed by Anish Kapoor

Before beginning a blog about design, we feel that we must attempt to answer the question of, “Why do we design?”, or rather, “Why do we create?”.

 

“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.  No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before…Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before-colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.”

 

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

 

 

 

Fowles Residence – by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence – by Northland Design Group

 

The desire to create is an emotion that is deeply inherent in each of us. We’re all familiar with the rush of accomplishment that comes with taking an idea and turning it into something tangible; something that has never existed before, and that can be seen, heard, touched, smelled or tasted. Suddenly a small, intimate piece of your soul is now a part of the world.

 

The Tanghe River Park by Kongiian Yu

 

Park City Residence – by Northland Design Group

 

We often find design inspiration from nature, such as this Spiral Aloe (Aloe polyphylla)

 

Many designers have said that the desire to create stems from the feeling that it’s what they were born to do.  We each want to have a place in the world and know that we are contributing to it in our own unique way; creation is a powerful way to achieve these desires.

 

‘Falling Water’ by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. One of the quintessential examples of fantastic design that blends architecture, landscape architecture and interior design.

 

Window display at Anthropologie. They are always wonderful examples of great design.

 

Another amazing Anthropologie window display.

 

‘Rest’ – A beautifully designed bench by LandscapeForms

 

There is no limit to what design or creation entails.  It could be a simple meal, or an intricately designed skyscraper.  It could be a thousand-year old sculpture or an impromptu melody.  Design is everywhere and in everything.  This blog is a way to share and discuss the many aspects of design and more specifically, the art of place making, which is what we as landscape architects create.

 

Peterson Residence – by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence – by Northland Design Group

 

Fowles Residence – by Northland Design Group

 

Our mission at Northland Design Group is to create memorable environments that enrich lives.  We strive to incorporate all aspects of design and the latest reserach into our creative process so that we can develop the best possible solutions for our clients.  At the heart of each of our projects is that insatiable desire to create; to share in the collaborative process with our clients and build something that has never existed before, something that will be uniquely yours.

 

An inspiring print by artist Rex Ray

 

Fowles Residence – by Northland Design Group

 

The Copacabana in Brazil, designed by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx

 

A shadow from the oculus in the Pantheon in Rome, a masterfully designed work of architecture

 

 

Holly: “I must create…something, or be enslaved by another man’s…something. I will not reason or compare, my business is to create…something.”

 

Gerry: “Did you just make that up?”

 

Holly: “No, no, it’s William Blake, but I completely screwed it up…  All I know is, if you don’t figure out this something, you’ll just stay ordinary, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a work of art or a taco or a pair of socks!  Just create something… new, and there it is, and its you, out in the world, outside of you and you can look at it, or hear it, or read it, or feel it…and you know a little more about…you.  A little bit more than anyone else does.  Does that make any sense at all?”

 

Gerry: “Yeah…you’re saying you want to paint socks.”

 

Holly: “Maybe!”

 

P.S. I Love You (A Warner Brothers film)

 

 

“The Highline” in New York City. Designed by James Corner Field Operations, Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Piet Oudolf. Photograph by Iwan Baan

 

 

Why do YOU design?  Please share your comments and inspirations with us by typing in the reply box below.

 

 

Posted in General Design | Tagged Anthropologie, Architecture, asla, Belgard, create, Design, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Landscape Forms, New York Highline, Northland Design Group
2 Comments

Creating a ‘Structured’ Environment

July 18, 2012 posted in General Design

 

 

Tim Cuppett Architects

 

 

Just as the spaces within architecture are typically defined by mass and void, so are the spaces within landscape architecture.  Outdoor structures such as pool houses, garden sheds, pergolas and fences are all great ways to create the framework of a successful outdoor room.

 

 

Pool Houses

 

Fowles Residence

 

Simpson Design Group Architects

 

Mayta & Jensen Architects

 

Northland Design Group

 

Michael Abrams Limited

 

Photo courtesy of 2bmodern.blogspot.com

 

Kettal Bitta

 

 

Garden Sheds

 

Banyon Tree Design Studio

 

Scott Lewis Landscape Architecture

 

Gardens by Gabriel

 

Ville Hara and Linda Bergroth

 

Ville Hara and Linda Bergroth

 

Ville Hara and Linda Bergroth

 

 

Pergolas and Overhangs

 

Huettl Landscape Architecture

 

Cross River Design

 

Stout Landscape Design

 

Siemasko and Verbridge Interior Desgn

 

Mathias Klotz and Edgar Minond Architecture

 

Studio William Hefner

 

Cathy Schwabe Architecture

 

Northland Design Group

 

Urban Landscape Inc.

 

Great Oaks Landscape Associates

 

Lori Scott Landscape Design

 

Tensile Fabric Structure

 

Blasen Landscape Architecture

 

 

Fences

 

Debora Carl Landscape Design

 

Shades of Green Landscape Architecture

 

Feldman Architecture, Inc.

 

Suzman Design Associates

 

WA Design

 

WA Design

 

 

 

Posted in General Design | Tagged Cabana, Central Utah Water Gardens, Column, Fence, Garden Shed, Green Wall, Morton Residence, Overhang, Pergola, Pool House, Privacy Screen, Shade Structure, Trellis
1 Comment

Have a Seat

June 22, 2012 posted in General Design

 

Sometimes the best seat in the house is actually in your garden. Integrating seating into your landscape design is one of the keys to defining an outdoor room and a fun way to add some personality to your space. Whether is stands alone or is built in to the overall design, outdoor furniture welcomes people into a space and gives it life.

 

 

Design by Fernanda Marques Architects

 

Some outdoor furniture stands alone.

 

Image courtesy of Design Decor Staging

 

Photo by Elke Borkowski

 

Design by Epica Home

 

Design by Vito Selma

 

Prideaux Design

 

Design by Outer Space Landscape Architecture

 

Design by Gleena Partridge

 

Courtesy of angelatmytable.com

 

Design by Furnibloom

 

Design by Costello Kennedy Landscape Architecture

 

Design by Grounded

 

Chesapeak hammock by Pottery Barn

 

Photo courtesy of Cedar Works

 

Some outdoor furniture creates space.

 

 

Courtesy of indulgy.com

 

.

 

Design by Arterra LLP Landscape Architects

 

Courtesy of alamodeus.com

 

Design by Dirtworks, PC. Photo by William Geddes

 

Courtesy of atouchofluxe.blogspot.com

 

Design by Huettl Landscape Architecture

 

Design by Outer Space Landscape Architecture

 

Courtesy of Sotheby’s Reality

 

Design by Pull Tab Design

 

Design by Rozewski & Co.

 

Courtesy of House and Home Photo by Janice Nicolay

 

Design by Victoria Pearson

 

Design by Escale Design

 

Design by Thom Felicia

 

Design by Hamilton Design Associates

 

Design by Life Outside

 

 

Some outdoor furniture creates memories.

 

 

Design by Urban Jobe Architecture

 

Courtesy of shannoneileenblog.typepad.com

 

Courtesy of iamblessed.com

 

 

 

We would sure love to have some of these designs in our gardens.  Which would you like to have in yours?  Thanks for sharing!

 

 

 

Posted in General Design | Tagged Bench, Chair, Deck, Dining, Firepit, Fireplace, Hammock, Lighting, Outdoor Furniture, Swing
1 Comment

Making the Most of Your Side Yard

June 16, 2012 posted in General Design

Magleby Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Side yards can be some of the most appealing spaces in a landscape;  they are a place that offers serenity, a place where detail is noticed, and a place that dramatically enters you into another space.  Most people don’t take advantage of side yards because they don’t realize the great potential that these spaces have, so we would like to share some our work and inspirations to help get you started.

 

Magleby Residence by Northland Design Group

 

One of the simplest ways to add some style to your side yard is to create a sense of entry.  Inviting gateways, graceful arches and attractive lighting are sure ways to draw people in and make them want to discover what lies ahead.

 

Design by Via Eden Makers

 

Design by Amelia B Lima Associates

 

Design by KMZ Landscape Design

 

Design by AAA Landscape Specialists

 

Flower pots, climbing vines and green walls are great ways to incorporate vegetation if your planting space is limited.

 

Design by Debora Carl Landscape Design

 

Design by Wyatt Studio

 

Design by Notting Hill Gardens

 

Design by Rees Roberts + Partners

 

Houston Residence by Northland Design Group

 

Design by Bright Green

 

Try using a green wall or a tight screen of vegetation to provide privacy and visual interest.

 

Design by Woodburn and Company Landscape Architecture

 

Design by The Garden Consultants

 

 

We love how the red chairs at the end of this path draw you in.  Sculpture, water features or even your own custom artwork can also make great focal points.

 

Photo courtesy of Sunset Gardens

 

Design by Jamie Durie

 

Design by Shades of Green Landscape Architecture

 

Lewis Residence by Northland Design Group

 

A distant gathering space makes for a enticing focal point.  Side yards are often some of the quietest, coziest spots in your yard.  Check out how the designs below turned small spaces in inviting retreats.

 

Design by Molly Wood Garden Design

 

Design by Joan Grabel

 

Design by Michael Partino

 

Silverstein Residence by Northland Design Group

 

And don’t forget the great views you can create when you’re inside looking out into your side yard!

 

Vienna Way Residence by Marmol Radziner

 

 

 

What fun things have you done with your side yard?  We’d love for you to share your thoughts and inspirations in the reply box below!

 

 

 

Posted in General Design | Tagged Arbor, Art, Chalk, Gateway, Green Wall, Lantern, Lighting, Pergola, Pots, Sculpture, Side Yard, Site Furnishings, Trellis, Views, Vines, Water Feature
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Northland’s Favorite Plants

June 8, 2012 posted in General Design, Plant of the Week

We love plants!  Over the years we’ve put them to the test to find out which ones provide the best year-round interest, ease of maintenance, and longevity.  Here’s a sampling of the ones that have proven themselves year after year.  Enjoy!

 

Butterfly Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri)

 

Butterfly Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri)

 

May Night Salvia (Salvia x sylvestris)

 

'Moonbeam' Tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata)

 

Bristlecone Pine (Pinus aristata)

 

'Arctic Fire' Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera)

 

When most plants look dull in the winter, the ‘Arctic Fire’ Dogwood shows off its brilliant red and yellow stems.  Beautiful!

 

'Karl Foerster' Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora)

 

Globe Blue Spruce (Picea pungens glauca 'Globosa')

 

This is an excellent dwarf evergreen!  Mature size is only about 4′ tall and 5′ wide.

 

'Sunday Gloves' Daylily (Hemerocallis)

 

'Pardon Me' Daylily (Hemerocallis)

 

Stella d'oro Daylily (Hemerocallis)

 

'Summer Wine' Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolious) Spring blooms

 

'Summer Wine' Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) Summer foliage

 

The purple leaves of the Ninebark create great color contrast in the garden.

 

'Heavy Metal' Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum)

 

Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn (Crataegus crus-gali var. inermis) Spring blooms

 

Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn (Crataegus crus-gali var. inermis) Fall color and fruit

 

Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn (Crataegus crus-gali var. inermis)

 

The Hawthorn is fantastic when it comes to creating year-round interest; it has blooms in the spring, great fall color, produces bright red, persistent fruit and has excellent form.  What more could you ask for?

 

'Hameln' Dwarf Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)

 

Meidiland Rose (Rosa x Meidiland)

 

This rose blooms ALL SUMMER and is care free!

 

'Morning Light' Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis)

 

'Sargentina' Crabapple (Malus sargentii)

 

'Sargentina' Crabapple (Malus sargentii)

 

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

 

'Gro-Low' Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

 

Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) Fall color

 

Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)

 

You know you’re a plant nerd when you get excited about bark, but come on-you have to admit this tree has pretty cool bark.

 

Camperdown Elm (Ulmus glabra)

 

 

We’d love to know what some of your favorite plants are!  Please share your thoughts and comments in the reply box below.  Thanks!

 

 

 

Posted in General Design, Plant of the Week | Tagged Conifers, Deciduous Trees, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Shrubs, Weeping Trees
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‘Crusader’ Hawthorn

June 1, 2012 posted in Plant of the Week

Crataegus crus-galli inermis ‘Crusader’

 

.

 

Type: Deciduous Tree

 

Zones: 4-7

 

Height x Width: 15′ x 15′

 

Growth Rate: Slow

 

Sun: Full sun to part shade

 

Water: Low-Moderate

 

Bloom Time: Spring

 

Bloom Color: White

 

Fall Color: Orange

 

Fruit: Bright red, small, persistent

 

Wildlife: Fruit attracts birds in the winter

 

Special Notes: Abundant spring flowers,  amazing fall color, bright red berries and beautiful structure combine to make this a tree with superior year-round interest.  It’s also a thornless variety.

 

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Posted in Plant of the Week | Tagged Deciduous Tree, Fall Color, Ornamental Tree, Persistent Fruit, Spring Flowering, Thornless
2 Comments
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