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5 Ways to Get Your Yard Ready for Fall

Posted on 08/30/19 by Tera Stubblefield
fall harvest decor with title image
porch steps with view of feet with socks and fall foliage with a pumpkin, coffee and book

We’re not going to lie to you. It’s still hot in Texas, but fall is almost here! That means it’s time to start getting ready to enjoy cooler temperatures and longer evenings under the stars. To help you get ready, here are 5 ways to prep your landscape for fall.

GET CRAFTY WITH PUMPKIN PLANTERS

Add some unique pumpkin planters with fall-blooming perennials. Need some inspiration? There are pictures all over Pinterest! They’re a great way to blend some pumpkin décor into your overall design.

Many of the ideas online are done using real pumpkins! If you choose to use a fake pumpkin, you’ll probably want to transplant to a different planter eventually, so choose your flowers wisely.

HEB should be selling pumpkins before we know it. In the meantime, we discovered they have a Pumpkin Guide you might want to check out. It has templates for carving, no-carve ideas and pumpkin seed toasting recipes!

GET COZY WITH A FIRE PIT

We may not have a big need for fireplaces in Central Texas (even if we like to have them all the same) but we can make almost any excuse for an evening by the fire.

Building an outdoor fire pit can be an easy process by hiring a team like Best of Texas Landscapes or finding a DIY design option that works for your home and skill-set.

These are some of the fire pits we’ve built in the past or you can find some DIY options here.

ADD OUTDOOR SEATING

Is your backyard an inviting place to kick back and relax? Or are you constantly shuffling chairs and arranging an ever-changing ‘space’?

Invest in your sanity and upgrade your outdoor seating arrangements with one of these trends:

  • Indoor/Outdoor Seating. Is it for the inside? Is it for the outside? Who can tell! And that’s that beauty of it. Visit any local furniture or home improvement store and you’re sure to find an array of options to choose from.
  • Farmhouse or Picnic Tables. Large enough to seat 6 to 8 people, these tables are great for hosting family and friends. Add a focal point with a large center piece of fall foliage.
  • Contemporary Seating Options. Variety is the spice of life. Add some character to your landscape with a unique seating space. Check out these DIY ideas for some inspiration. You’ll love #16
up-cycled headboard bench painted in teal and set in outdoor setting

SHINE SOME LIGHT ON IT

The perfect combination of outdoor lighting (accent or security lights) can help create the ideal ambiance you’ll need to go from blah to bliss.

Your outdoor space will truly feel like an extension of your home when you can walk freely from one space to another with lighting along your paths and around sitting areas.

You’ll also enjoy more engaging conversation and have light to read or play games by and your nighttime landscape will still look like a work of art.

LOVE YOUR LAWN

Your lawn is like the carpet of your landscape. Unfortunately, your carpet can get unsightly bare spots. Cool-season weeds will begin germinating in late September and where there are thin spots, weeds will thrive. It’s important to provide good care in mid to late summer to increase the density of your turf.

The harsh summers in the hill country can be brutal for your grass if you can’t or don’t water enough. Consider a sprinkler system for years to come or more native plants with less lawn care requirements.

If your bare patch is due to high foot traffic, your lawn may benefit from a core aeration to stimulate new growth in the root system. If all else fails, you may want to design a more drought-tolerant plan for your outdoor space.

 

If you’re thinking you would prefer a more all-inclusive option that you don’t have do, now is the perfect time to get on our calendar so we can get started on your project.

 

We proudly serve Leander, Liberty Hill, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Round Rock, Lakeway and their surrounding areas.

Urban Landscape Designs for Modern Homes

Posted on 07/31/19 by Tera Stubblefield

Urban Spaces

Modern and contemporary homes are both known for clean, architecutral lines and an open-space feel. It is often the case however, that modern designs (as in mid-century modern) often have more wood elements and contemporary designs have more stone and steel. The end result for both is a minimalist, clean look that both charms and calms the senses with a touch of class and order.

One myth regarding modern landscape designs is that you will have to sacrifice functionality for minimalism. We’re going to show you how you can incorporate both so you can enjoy an outdoor space with all of your choice amenities and a clean landscape design that complements your modern home.

Beautifully Blended

Modern and contemporary homes are commonly being outfitted with more indoor to outdoor living installations. In the picture of above we were able to create a seamless backyard design with

  • A fluid indoor to outdoor transition
  • An artful blend of wood, stone and steel elements
  • Clean lines and modern elements
  • A contemporary feel
  • A pop of color
  • And gorgeous 360° views!

The end result is a contemporary landscape design that perfectly complements and completes the overall look and feel of the home.

Look closely and you'll find that this backyard is also not suffering from a lack of functionality that would render the space overlooked and under-utilized. In fact it is fully equipped with

  • An outdoor kitchen
  • A zero-entry pool
  • Paths and walk-ways
  • Benches and plant beds
  • An almost indistinguishable outdoor shower
  • And outdoor lighting!

Whether you want a calming place to relax or an inviting space to entertain, this backyard has it all!

Make the Hard to Reach Easy to Maintain

If you're the kind of person that wants to finish your lawn maintenance with a few turns of a push-mower, be sure to make the hard to reach spots easy to maintain.

You can do this by including hardscapes like stone patios and paths or rock beds with select accent plants. Be sure to consider your plants spacial requirements for future growth and use different sizes and shapes to create depth and focal points.

 

 

To capture the aesthetic of your home or create a modern outdoor design, you don't have to abide by strict guidlelines or a uniform style. While contemporary designs are known for their monochromatic tones, a pop of color or the warmth of wood can be a welcome addition. Additionally, you can have a functional outdoor space that meets your minimalist goals. Your vision can be a reality with a little planning, some creative design and a trusted team of experts.

 

Luxury Landscape Designs for Small Spaces

Posted on 06/18/19 by Tera Stubblefield
Tiered backyard with modern landscape design looking at pool view.

Creating a luxurious landscape design is possible regardless of the size or shape of your yard. By incorporating a few well-advised elements, your outdoor space will be an inviting getaway your family and friends will love.

  1. Create A View

Here, a clean pool design gives this backyard a luxurious, modern feel.

Best of Texas Landscapes poolside backyard renovation
  1. Create Small Backyard Zones

With a tiered lawn, each area acts as its own zone. Different plant groupings and raised beds divide the upper yard from the lower yard.

Luxury landscape designs for modern backyards
  1. Make it Cozy

Specific zones help to break up the yard and create an intimacy that’s cozy and inviting for a perfect escape to read or relax.

  1. Use the Power of Perspective

Long straight lines trick you into thinking a small yard is bigger than it is. Use this to your advantage. Even a fence will do this job for you and enhance the overall design of the area.

Best of Texas Landscapes backyard design and installation
  1. Boost Interest & Mix It Up

The mixture of materials, hardscapes and plants help add interest to a small backyard, pulling the focus from the size to the details.

  1. Create Small-Space Features

Make a unique space that helps add to the illusion of a larger space with something creative like a vertical feature or climbing vines.

  1. Raise Planting Beds

Add a sense of height and depth to a small space with raised beds for planting. Short retaining walls of steel, stone or other hardscapes help keep the eye moving up.

Best of Texas Landscapes backyard renovation in Travis Heights

Call us today at 512-260-1430 to talk to us about scheduling your design consultation!

Landscaping a Gated Entry or Driveway

Posted on 05/02/19 by Tera Stubblefield
Image of a gated entry with landscaping and a rock wall with the words "Landscaping Street Entries" over-layed on image.
When guests arrive at your property, there are a few things they notice right away. This is your opportunity to welcome your visitors and set the stage for what’s to come.

A welcoming entryway doesn’t start at your front door. Your driveway is possibly their first impression, so use it as an opportunity to frame the experience for your visitors. If you really want to make a statement, go with a gated entry.

As the portal to your home, your entry or driveway should draw guests seamlessly from the curb to the front door.

Lush greenery and maintained flowers could suggest a country retreat, where stark stonework and geometric hedges suggest a more modern approach. Choose elements that align with the aesthetics of your home, without clashing with the surrounding landscape.

Here are 4 tips for creating a wow-worthy entry to your home.

Contrast and Complement
Color, texture and balance are important aspects to consider in your landscape design. Use a color wheel to find a few choice colors you may like to incorporate and which colors best complement your primary options.
Height and Depth
Add depth by creating focal points between the street and the house. A natural rock wall also makes a beautiful backdrop. Unlike a front porch entry, where you may be inclined to go with more-is-better, the street entry can be a dynamic part of your overall design with a few, properly positioned, choice elements.
Low Maintenance
Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant plants are a great way to go in the Central Texas area. During the summer especially, if you don’t have irrigation installed along the street, you’ll want indigenous plants that are known for living through the toughest temperatures.
Lighting & Safety
To keep your landscape safer from cars and possible “plant pickers” use lighting around the edges or for specific focal points. If you have security cameras, especially at a gated entry where your car has to stop, using a camera-floodlight combo is a proven deterrent for burglars.
Set the stage for your guests from the very beginning and enhance the beauty and security of your home in the process.
Not sure which plants are indigenous to Texas? Check out this list of native, drought-resistant plants in Central Texas.

Need more design inspiration? We found a great Pinterest board with tons of ideas!

Call us today at 512-260-1430 to talk to us about scheduling your design consultation!

Landscaping with Natural Rock

Posted on 01/25/19 by Tera Stubblefield

Rocks are a natural hardscape that you can use for a variety of landscape solutions from decor to paths and retaining walls.

From small stones to large boulders, the central Texas area is full of rock. If you live west of I-35, especially in the Leander or Lago Vista areas, chances are good there’s a lot of rock on your property.

Here are 5 ways to take advantage of the rock you already have, or how to incorporate natural rocks into your landscape for a more native design.

1. Use large boulders and rocks to make a change in elevation more fluid or to break up a larger space.

Best of Texas Landscapes - Austin, Tx Landscaping, Sprinkler Systems, and more
Natural rock retaining wall designed by Best of Texas Landscapes.
Natural rock landscaping designed by Best of Texas Landscapes.

2. River rocks are ideal for creating drain beds for water runoff while adding to your home’s curb appeal.

Source

3. Use a mixture of rocks and flower beds to spice up your look with added texture and height variances.

Flower beds and retaining walls designed by Best of Texas Landscapes.
Landscape Design
Flower beds and borders designed by Best of Texas Landscapes.

4.  Use a combination of rocks to create a harmonious xeriscape for an easy maintenance solution.

Best of Texas Landscapes - Austin, Tx Landscaping, Sprinkler Systems, and more
Paths and walkways of gravel and stone designed by Best of Texas Landscapes.
natural stone walkway with gravel and rock and plant accents
Paths and walkways of gravel and stone designed by Best of Texas Landscapes.

5. Use large flat rocks to create a gorgeous staircase or walkway.

Stone Pathway in Grass
Paths and walkways of gravel and stone designed by Best of Texas Landscapes.

From large rural spaces to smaller urban areas, natural rock hardscapes are a popular look that can be used for functional and decorative solutions.

What can we design for you? Contact us here to get a complimentary consultation.

See More Hardscape Designs

Best of Texas Landscapes

P.O. Box 1876, Liberty Hill, TX 78642
PH 512-260-1430

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