Good Design Matters

Good Design Matters! The quality of our environment affects our health and spirit. Gardens are points of connection, grounding, and continuity. Well loved spaces, indoors or out, heighten our living experience. Nature should be interpreted in designed spaces, not imitated.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN GOOD DESIGN

Spatial Balance

All the elements (including the house!) relate to each other and to the surrounding landscape.

Scale and Proportion

A skillful delineation of space and combination of details in which nature is interpreted, not imitated.

Structures that add balance

and are in harmony, with no one object either too prominent or deficient

Consistent Style

Your garden like your home is a place for self- expression and personal choice. Well-made gardens and landscapes are those that are individually styled to best suit the owner.

The language of design is universal and is much different from the response we have to style, which is highly individual. We all want our spaces to be highly individual and also have great design.

Functionality

The space needs to be capable of serving the purpose for which it was designed. ie., A path can be beautiful but if a secondary path develops as a result of people choosing to walk in the most direct dirsction than it isn't functional!

Appropriate Planting

Plantings that are suitable and harmonize with the surrounding landscape provide a sense of calmness and peace. Indigenous (not necessarily native!) to the region and the site create a"low maintenance" landscape.

In a well-designed space, all of the elements click and that results in a distinctive, calming feeling. Yet it is difficult to define any one specific aspect that produces this effect. That is great design. The sum is greater that the parts. A seamless communication exists between the built elements and the natural elements. A wonderful magic takes place when one is drawn into that exchange.

Some Examples-

Proportional and good use of a difficult space Probably NOT the best use of the space

Balance, structure, planting See the difference?

all working together

This structure is perfectly sited

Just HAD to include this because I have never really seen anything quite like it!

Complimentary Landscape Design Consultation

Now is the time to design your garden for next spring. Take advantage of a complimentary at-home consultation.

Realize your properties full potential, whether focusing on a master plan, planting project, terrace or lighting.

Please contact:

Christine Krause Landscape Design

860-453-4009

christine@christinekrausedesign.com