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Landscaping Ideas

In order to understand how we develop great landscaping ideas for your home, it is necessary to first understand the types of homes and yards we encounter daily.
Once a picture of both becomes clear to the mind’s eye, it becomes inestimably easier to sit down with your landscaping consultant and flesh out the specific elements of your new landscape master plan.
Formal European architecture can be accented with a number of great landscaping ideas developed around focal points of the sublime and the beautiful.
To paraphrase Edmund Burke, the sublime as that which has the power to compel us, and the beautiful is that which is well-formed and aesthetically pleasing.
You have only to look at an Old World mansion to immediately see that both the architecture and the surrounding estate are intentionally sublime in some places, and deliberately beautiful in others. In our Houston landscape, this same juxtaposition of the two phenomena is readily apparent on very large lots with multi-story homes.

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Sublime themes are developed with elements that appear unmovable and absolute, such as decorative stone walls, wrought iron fencing, and iron arbors. Beauty is established through formal garden designs that are rich in pattern, color, and symmetry.
Formal European landscapes include Italian, French, and Mediterranean. Specific elements that are used to develop individual properties often derive directly from the residents’ personal tastes. In this sense, landscape forms are almost like symbols of personal consciousness that represent the lifestyle of the homeowner.
Southern and Colonial themes represent great landscaping ideas that are close to the American heart.
Although representative of different geographies both share a common love for large houses and expansive yards. Landscaping design plans here are focused on establishing a sense of freedom and choice. Larger lots tend to be overwhelming to the eye, so different zones of interest can be created using an interconnected system of walkways, pathways, courtyards, outdoor buildings, large gardens, and water features.
This gives people choices between where he or she would like to enjoy a portion of the evening. It also reinforces the American ideal of mobility by interconnecting these areas of interest with transit areas that lead from point to point.
Great landscaping ideas for contemporary homes are based upon a combination of abstract thought and stark geometric form.
Contemporary art is challenging by nature. It defies given assumptions and forces us to go beyond the boundaries of our belief systems in to the world of the unknown. It is often strangely disquieting to many people because it sees no need for a comfort zone, and therefore does not necessarily offer one.
Contemporary homes by nature feature highly customized architecture. As such, contemporary landscape designs feature a heightened level of customization because no two properties are ever identical. Common landscape elements such as patios, gardens, fountains, swimming pools, and trees are highly eclectic in scale, proportion, and position on the landscape. This is necessary in order to maintain continuity between the house and its surrounding outdoor elements.
Exterior Worlds never considers any great landscaping idea truly “great” unless it personally speaks to the heart and mind of the homeowner directly.
In fact, many of our best ideas come straight from the homeowners themselves and take on greater form and dimension as we refine them into landscaping elements that contribute individually to a larger aesthetic living experience.
For more the 20 years Exterior Worlds has specialized in servicing many of Houston’s fine neighborhoods.

Ideas for a New Backyard Landscape Design

Adding a tree wall to your backyard landscape design will keep others from seeing into your yard. A wall of trees will look far less imposing than a tall brick wall which runs the risk of clashing with architecture and possibly making your neighbors feel rudely shut out. Trees create a natural barrier that is softer and more aesthetic. They also look superb when illuminated with up lights that add
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Using Climbing Vines to Add Vertical Impact to Formal Garden

Formal gardens feature some of the most opulent design work in Houston landscaping. In many respects, they represent some of the most refined softscape elements in our city because they lend sophistication to home architecture. Climbing vines add vertical impact to gardens by organically enhancing the many vertical elements that are typically built as garden focal points. Such elements can be arches, pergolas, or outdoor courtyards. Because the Houston landscape
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Landscaping Shade Plants

Landscaping shade plants are very important. They are very diverse in number and type, so you have many options to choose from. There are over 130 native East Texas plants alone that can be added to your Houston landscaping plan that will create different kinds of shade, and different degrees of shade, in your yard. Exterior Worlds also has botanical expertise and many years of design experience that will help you
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Landscaping Ideas for Shade

We have to be clear on our definition of shade in order to come up with the right landscaping ideas for shade. Technically, any area of a yard that receives less than 6 hours of direct sunlight is considered shade. Much of the shade in a yard is created by shadows cast by trees, houses, and outdoor buildings. Other shade is deliberately created by Houston landscaping professionals. These shady spots are
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Privacy Landscaping Ideas

There are many privacy landscaping ideas that can be integrated into Houston landscape designs that enable homeowners to relax in the outdoor without the worry of being seen by all the neighbors. This enhances one’s sense of retreat, and it also helps discourage neighbors from inviting themselves over whenever they see their friends outside. There are a number of landscape elements that can be constructed that will shield special
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Landscaping Wall Ideas

Landscaping wall ideas can be an integral part of any Houston landscaping plan. It does not matter what style of design characterizes your outdoor living space. Walls can be used to fulfill several purposes that contribute to curb appeal, comfort, and personal satisfaction. They can be built from a variety of materials as well, and they can be built in any area of the yard. Walls play many different roles
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Landscaping Ideas Backyard

No matter how sophisticated many of our projects are, Exterior Worlds always begins by meeting with clients to hear their landscaping ideas. Backyard zones of interest tend to be based around activities specific to the lifestyles of homeowners. It is essential to understand each client’s personal tastes in order to create an outdoor living environment whose form and function reflects their sensibilities. Inspiration can come from many sources. People
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What Is Fall Landscaping?

With November right upon us, it is time to invest in fall landscaping if you have not already done so. There are certain basic services that every Houston landscaping client needs to ensure the best possible aesthetic for next year’s spring. Some of these services are intended to safeguard existing plant life, while others are intended to prepare for new forms that will emerge after winter has passed. Garden
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Why have a landscape path?

Landscape paths enhance the aesthetics and functionality of Houston landscaping designs. The geometric patterns they create in a yard give definition to landscape style. They also help support the architecture of the home by reflecting key elements of material build and architectural motif. Pathways have a direct impact on the emotional state of the viewer, alter perceptions of space in highly desirable ways, and help create special zones of interests
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Landscaping Ideas

In order to understand how we develop great landscaping ideas for your home, it is necessary to first understand the types of homes and yards we encounter daily. Once a picture of both becomes clear to the mind’s eye, it becomes inestimably easier to sit down with your landscaping consultant and flesh out the specific elements of your new landscape master plan. Formal European architecture can be accented with
more