"Landscape Design: A Coming Home Approach"

By Pete Haran Vice President

In today's fast paced world of cell phones, pagers, fax machines and appointment books we certainly have less and less time to spend in our yards simply enjoying the landscape. This means we need to have our landscapes work for us both for physical and even mental relaxation.

Can a landscape design actually relieve stress, or make us feel better after a long day at the office? If the right elements are included into the master plans, absolutely!! The roots of our landscapes and gardens today are getting back down to a fundamental principle which is, enjoyment for the entire family with minimal maintenance. In the past few years landscape and garden designs have been including more functional and recreational elements to complete the overall plan. "Play areas" for the backyard are emerging steadily with swimming pools, fish ponds, waterfalls, recreational courts, even synthetic golf greens becoming more and more popular and evident. This concept of combining our lifestyles with how we treat our property should be part of some guidelines which are outlined in the design process. As part of this process, landscape architects will not only analyze the features of property to be designed, but will also analyze the homeowner and family and discuss with them their short and long term vision for the use of their outdoor space.

The customers personality, livelihood, size of family and how the property is to be used in their free time are some simple considerations that are too often overlooked. To make the landscape much more then a high maintenance set of plants throughout the property, landscape architects and designers need this type of input to tailor a plan to fit the most important part of the process....You!

There's a great advantage to taking a "coming home approach" to your property. Spend more time swimming in the pool, admiring the koi pond, chipping on the golf green with the kids or having dinner on the outside terrace. Get more use from the landscape by designing a low voltage lighting system for enjoyment in the evening. These are just a few of the amenities that can be added to your property to create your own getaway "resort" theme.

This is the direction in which landscapes are headed. Plantings are still, of course, a very integral part of completing this concept, but are not being used so typically any longer. If you are considering a landscape project for your backyard, try one of these ideas on for size, work with a landscape architect and design/build company that can design and install these features to make your home landscape a relaxing and enjoyable place to come home to.

Lipinski Landscape & Irrigation Contractors of Mt. Laurel offers a diverse range of professional award-winning design / build services to home builders and homeowners in the Delaware Valley. Be sure to visit the Lipinski web site at http:/www.lipinskiland.com.