Landscaping...
Rooms Without Walls

 outdoor rooms 1

    Looking for a quiet retreat from your hectic day? A place to entertain family and friends? Casual dinning at its best? Look no further than your own backyard. Rooms without walls can transform your outdoor spaces. Gone are the days of a concrete slab patio and the lowly charcoal grill. More and more outdoor rooms are being designed for a variety of home sites. From the beaches of Shore Drive, to the historic neighborhoods of Ghent, or woodland Williamsburg, outdoor rooms are serving triple duty - cooking, living and dining space all in one backyard oasis.

     Is your backyard too shady or damp to maintain a lawn? A raised patio of tumbled paver stones redirects water away from the foundation of your home. This once ‘unusable’ space is now transformed into a welcoming retreat. Shade loving camellias, hydrangeas, ferns, hosta and repeat blooming Encore Azaleas add interest throughout the seasons. With a portable fire pit this space is now a cozy retreat on cool evenings.

     Maybe a hot tub is your idea of true relaxation. The feel of a ‘secret garden’ can be achieved by selecting the right plants. Combining different leaf shapes and textures offers a lush tropical feel. Fine textured foliage partnered with the freckled leaf of an aucuba create a soft evergreen screen.

outdoor rooms 2

     Don’t forget colorful planters -  and ‘bigger is better’ when it comes to planters. Your container should be large enough to accommodate an upright evergreen that visually anchors the center. A dependable plant with a trailing habit to cascade over the sides combined with bold seasonal color is always a winning combination.

     Too much sun or too little privacy? A pergola or arbor will provide your outdoor room with screening both from the sun and the neighbors. More outdoor structures are being requested by home owners than ever before. New and durable materials offer a variety of options. Built-in grill islands have moved to the       
 ‘must have’ list.

paver pattern

     As the line between indoor and outdoor space continues to dissolve the repetition of materials gives a sense of harmony. Using stone, metal or glass inside as well as out gives the feeling of a larger space. Repeating colors or patterns in fabrics, wall covering and accessories add to the feeling of spaciousness.

     Ready to extend the comfort of your home to the great outdoors? Call  722-7463 ext. 312  to schedule a design appointment. McDonald Garden Center offers full design services from concept to complete installation.



by Theresa Mullins, VNLA landscape designer

 

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Last Updated: 5/25/2006
all contents ©2006 McDonald Garden Nurseries.