Timeless Materials By Tony Catanzaro Remember shag carpeting? Not too popular anymore. Many trends happen in home décor, fashion, and virtually everything we do. Landscape design and the products used are also part of the trend cycle. How do we avoid the “shag carpeting” in our choice of landscape materials? Take a look at the things that never go out of style. Once you install a landscape you will most likely look at it a long time. It directly affects your homes value. When it comes to choosing what products to use such as paving, decking, fencing, and wall materials the choices can be overwhelming. Look to invest in materials that are timeless. Natural stone has been utilized in landscapes for thousands of years. Stone is the ultimate timeless material. When designed and installed properly stone will last for generations. Use clues from your home’s architecture and surroundings to choose the color and type of stone. Natural stone can be used for driveways, curbing, walkways, patios, walls, accent, and water features. It can be dry laid or set in concrete. Generally to install stone work wet or dry involves a level of craftsmanship that the average homeowner and even contractor does not have. The cost of natural stone to purchase and install may be one of the largest investments in your landscape but when done right is priceless. Wood is another natural product that is definitely timeless as well. Natural wood has a warmth and texture that cannot be emulated. The effect of wood weathering is a benefit and adds character. A weathered wood bench is much more appropriate than a plastic bench in a flower garden. Wood products in the landscape should be carefully chosen and only natural woods that will stand up to the elements such as cedar, mahogany, and redwood should be considered. Brick walls and walks certainly have that timeless appeal. A matching brick wall that extends the homes architecture into the landscape or a Williamsburg style brick path on a colonial home are other great ways to utilize timeless materials in your landscape. You may tackle an informal path but skilled craftsmen are needed for those larger brick projects. Concrete paving stones are very popular and versatile. Segmental paving similar to modern interlocking paving stones have been used for thousands of years. When natural stone becomes a budget buster concrete pavers are a viable alternative. My advice is to use pavers that have a timeless shape and color. Unless you own a contemporary house avoid some of the intricate shapes. The antiquing process helps to blend the paving stone with other natural stone reasonable well. What about plants? Can plants be timeless? Of course! Consider resisting all those twisted contorted plants and staying with more traditional choices. Consider hedges, shade trees, perennial borders. Use native plants and old favorites when possible and have reasons for placement. Don’t consider the plants in your landscape as decorations as much as having a purpose like privacy, enclosure, canopy, fragrance, backdrop, etc. With all the choices available to us for use in our landscape try to consider the timelessness of your choices. While many of these timeless landscape elements may expand an already tight install budget stop and consider the long term affect your decisions will have. How will it age and weather? Will it look out of date someday? Will it gain value and dignity with age? Take the time to evaluate these materials in person at a stone yard, lumber yard and garden center. Consult with a professional landscape designer or architect before you purchase and use skilled craftsmen to install your timeless investments.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:20:52 +0000
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