A wrought iron fence takes a utilitarian structure and turns it into an expression of your individuality. By definition, fences are functional. That is, they are enclosures that present an adequate blockade around a yard or other such expanse of land for the purpose of security, primarily prohibiting or controlling intrusions from the outside.
But they can be oh-so-much more.
Wrought iron fences represent an acknowledgement by the homeowners that their living environment is not restricted to the primary structure. When you install a fence that is more than pure function, …

You’ve seen the headlines: Alicia, a major hurricane, hit the Upper Texas Coast in 1983. Hurricane Ike made landfall in 2008. In April, 2009, unnamed thunderstorms dropped record amounts of rain throughout the afternoon, five to six inches in some places.
Houston has a drainage problem. If for no other reason than these naturally occurring, yet unpredictable, weather patterns. The solution? A quality drainage system that protects your property, home and family from unwanted water.
A quality drainage system is all-encompassing. That is, it addresses all drainage issues including …

“Green” is an interesting word these days. It, of course, still means the primary color green. However, recently it has taken on the new meaning of being ecologically helpful, prudent and sustainable. Within the context of a home landscape, it means talking about a “green” green garden.
With a design for a green garden, the goals are basically the same as for any other landscape project, except we focus on using materials, plant and non-plant, that reduce the Big Four of ongoing maintenance: watering, trimming, weeding and mulching.
Following are some …

Houston landscape designers are presented with unique challenges: coastal plains weather, dense soil, drainage and flooding issues, and a variety of insects and plant diseases. Whether your project is a small garden design that only encompasses landscape planting or is a complex construction project, you can get a real return on your investment by hiring professional Houston landscape designers.
Houston Landscape Designers: Choosing One
It is important to distinguish between off-the-shelf landscaping design and a designer who can capture your personal vision. In the interview process, always ask to see a portfolio …

Modern outdoor lighting places heavy emphasis on architecture in such a way as to create a sense of living outdoors. It is more effect oriented than function oriented- as if the feeling of being inside has been taken from the home interior and placed around structures and gathering places throughout the yard. Selective illumination is then spaced around trees and gardens to distinguish the organic nature of outdoor space from the more sterile and cerebral elements of the inside of the house. This has to be done …

Protecting the environment has become a lot more important as we are starting to see the damage that pollutants are doing to it. Green homes are a great way to not only save the planet but also to save you money. There are many different adjustments that can be made to turn a home green and many of them don’t cost a lot of money. Those that do may qualify you as a buyer to get a tax credit for making your home more eco-friendly. So how what changes can …

In your landscape design, a wrought iron trellis creates an accessory accent. It gives the eye a place to rest when viewing the landscape as a whole. Most often, wrought iron trellises are paired with plants, usually a vine, to give the plants an acceptable place to climb to higher places. Trellises are also effective when situated in an open expanse to provide elevation.
Part of the landscaping vocabulary called garden structures, a category that includes outdoor gazebos, garden arbors and garden arches, trellises can be made into a dizzying …

Hardscapes-the non-plant material of your landscape design-play a critical part of any garden landscape project. When combined with green, growing plants, they create an outdoor living environment that invites you, your family and friends to come in, to sit and enjoy, to meander and explore.
Types of Hardscapes
- Pool decking. This hardscape runs from the pool to the house, connecting these two major areas. Popular choices are flagstone, brick or wood. Special attention needs to be paid to using non-slippery surfaces since it is part of a wet area.
- Entry walks. Both …

Houston can be a very difficult environment for garden designers. The heavily compacted, clay-like soil of our landscape makes it hard for the roots of certain plants and trees to gain a sturdy foothold in the earth. Heavy rains can suddenly flash flood yards and streets in a matter of hours, drowning and killing plants that lack professionally-installed drainage systems. These are not the only challenges that garden designers are faced with, either. In summer months, high humidity often pushes the heat index well over 100 …

Houston landscape architects are much more than gardeners and lawn maintenance professionals. They are degreed professionals whose training includes botany, irrigation science, construction, and outdoor lighting techniques. These multi-specialists often spend up to seven years in undergraduate and graduate studies to master these disciplines, and the expertise they develop in the process enables them to introduce sophisticated designs and structures to properties that magnify the aesthetics of Nature and unify human architecture with topography and vegetation.
To best serve their clients, Houston landscape architects begin every project with an …