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Serving the Naperville Community
 Does your Hinsdale, IL, landscape seem too flat? A few simple additions can make a huge difference in giving your landscape more visual interest and dimension. Here are some dramatic landscape design ideas that make use of pillars and walls.
Related: 4 Aesthetic Themes to Consider for Your Landscaping in Naperville, IL A Warm Welcome An elegant masonry driveway entrance with a pair of pillars on either side, sloping down to a lower garden wall and adorned with lights, could give your home a “gated estate” look. Pillars and/or a low wall along the walkway to your front entry are also a way to integrate landscape lighting without the need for stand-alone light fixtures. At the entry, make a statement with twin pillars to add symmetry or balance for a prominent tree, or opt for solo pillars that serve as focal points (add a gazing ball, light fixture, sculpture, potted plants, or even a small fountain for even more interest). A Clutter-Free Outdoor Space Solve the problem of a cluttered patio by installing low seat walls. Never again push chairs out of the way or leave guests wondering where they can sit. Seat walls along the perimeter of your patio can define the space. Look into integrating landscape lighting in an attractive way under this landscape design, and consider pillars on either end of the seating wall to serve as a place to rest a drink or plate. Seat walls are especially welcome near a grill station or outdoor kitchen, or encircling a fire feature. They make the space feel cozy, and they offer enough seating for a big backyard cookout! If you don’t want a solid masonry seat wall around your patio, create an airier enclosure by looking into installing a series of pillars with wooden benches supported on either side by the pillars. Flat pillar caps are functional as a place for a beverage or decorative (colorful flower pots, interesting rocks, treasures from your travels, outdoor lighting). For added drama, give thought to the installation of a series of tiny fountains in these bench pillars—just imagine the relief of its cooling effect on a hot day! Special Effects At night, create a dramatic light show with copper, concrete, or metal fire bowls set atop pillars. Use two to frame a view; use one as a focal point; or install several around the patio for a luxury effect. The installation of a low wall along walkways would offer a place to rest and a way to integrate landscape lighting. Walls can encircle planting beds, create raised planting beds, serve as the base for a privacy fence. If you want more privacy without feeling closed in, consider a tall stone veneer wall with a pump that feeds water over the top to cascade down into a pebble-filled pond. Over time, moss and aquatic plants will grow on the wall to create a gorgeous living wall with the added bonus of the tranquil sounds and movement of water (best on an east- or north-facing wall, where the plants won’t get too much sun). Built-in planters on a masonry wall would give you a place to introduce seasonal color for an ever-changing landscape or enjoy a vertical garden filled with herbs and vegetables. Pillars and walls vertical interest to your landscape, and offer many practical functions as well. If you’re ready to add an artistic and practical touch to your landscape this year, give us a call! Related: 5 Pet-Friendly Landscaping Ideas in Wheaton, IL
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 A fire pit in your Wheaton, IL, landscape would offer a warm, cozy spot where everyone will want to gather. If you are planning on adding a fire pit to your backyard, here are three ways to make sure it becomes the center of your outdoor living.
Related: Modern Landscaping Design Ideas to Try in 2020 in Naperville, IL 1. Consider Location The location of your fire pit could be the most important consideration. Does this mean it needs to be right smack in the middle of the patio? Not necessarily—in fact, you may want to avoid putting a fire pit in the center of the patio unless the patio is very large. Keep in mind you would not want to run into challenges with the placement of lounge or dining furniture around the fire pit while you do need to leave enough room to comfortably seat a small crowd. For those reasons, look into offsetting the fire pit to one side of the main patio, or you could create a separate space for it altogether. This could lead to a dedicated fire area without impeding traffic on the patio. It’s also an opportunity to take advantage of a view. Whether you have a gas-fired or wood-burning fire pit, consider placing it in a sheltered area where strong winds won’t affect your experience. 2. Choose the Size Carefully Part of deciding on the location is how big of a fire pit/seating area you want. It does not have to be massive to become a focal point. Even a small fire pit can be a focal point if positioned and designed correctly. Plan for seating around the fire pit (and a fire pit size) that will allow for both group gatherings or cozy, intimate one-on-one time. If space is tight, consider seat walls, either with or without back rests. Seat walls visually define the space and allow more people to share the space. Also avoid completely enclosing the space with walls. Leave some room for people to stand, or to pull up a few chairs. If your fire pit is positioned to take advantage of a view, make sure that the entry to the fire pit area doesn’t also face the view: offsetting the entry will give most people enjoying the fire the option to also take in the beauty of your landscape. Most fire pits are somewhat lower than seat walls, so consider the elevation of the fire pit area as a way to draw the eye toward the flames. A sunken fire pit area can draw out many conversations long into the night. It encourages people to gather, it holds heat very well, and it offers a sense of privacy. By contrast, an exposed fire pit—for example, on a hillside overlooking a stunning view—tends to give people an expansive and uplifting feeling. 3. Opt for the Right Materials Fire pit materials depend on whether the fire pit is portable or permanent. Portable fire pits offer a bit more flexibility in terms of placement, but you may find this option to be an inconvenience if you entertain frequently. A permanent fire pit gives you the opportunity to use masonry that complements the patio and the home—and this approach positions the fire pit as an important focal point rather than a temporary addition. A fire pit does not have to match vertical surfaces around it. In fact, you can create a stunning contrast by using different materials on the fire pit and the surrounding seat walls. Whether your backyard vibe is rustic or sophisticated, a fire pit could be a hit with everyone. With choices in materials, shapes, sizes, and fuel type, you can choose a fire pit that’s perfect for your uses and your aesthetics. Related: 4 Aesthetic Themes to Consider for Your Landscaping in Naperville, IL Brick is not only reliable but is also classic. It has adorned homes and public spaces for centuries and, over time, has shown fantastic versatility when incorporated into modern designs. It’s no wonder that a brick patio remains a favorite among contemporary homeowners undertaking landscape renovations. Here are a few ways to enhance the look of your brick patio in the context of the aesthetic theme you are using, so that it looks more anchored within the landscape. Click here to read more.   Your old brick patio has a charm of its own, but if it’s starting to feel dated, there are some relatively simple updates to consider to give your patio a fresh new look. Here are some tips for modernizing your old brick patio in Naperville, IL.
Related: 4 Aesthetic Themes to Consider for Your Landscaping in Naperville, IL Deciding What Needs to Change Modernizing a brick patio is an opportunity to rethink what gives a space personality and decide what you love about your outdoor space—and what you want to change. First, brick pairs exceptionally well with any style of home including traditional, rustic, cottage, contemporary, or ultramodern. You may find that the secret to creating a modern space using relatively dated materials is to embrace contrast. Do you love the color, or are you tired of it? Modern brick patios tend to favor neutral patio colors that do not detract from the home while still making the patio an interesting space in its own right. If you want a lighter and brighter color, you can look into replacing the main patio pavers and repurposing the existing pavers as beautiful borders, accents, or inlays for a stunning personalized look. Color Changes Staining is one option for homeowners who want to change the color of their existing patio. Stain can be used to bring a darker hue to brick—anything from a subtle tint to bold and dramatic. It can be very difficult to lighten brick using stain, but going dark will create an exciting modern look. For added drama and a modern touch without changing the color of the brick, look into adding darker accent colors such as charcoal in the form of privacy walls or furniture. If you love the color but want to bring the look into the 21st century, consider changing out the patio furniture to something sleek and minimalist. Whether you go light or dark, the contrast could completely transform the space into a chic and inviting backyard retreat. Paying Attention to Patterns Are you tired of the laying pattern in your brick patio? Very precise laying patterns such as herringbone or basket weave are visually interesting, but they’re also prone to being busy. Some homeowners find that they tire of busy patterns quicker than simpler arrangements. Manage the busy look by contrasting it with minimalist furnishings and simple decor. Again, the contrast is beautiful, and the balance of simple and busy works together to create a pleasing space. While your brick pavers may not have a lot of tactile texture, the look itself is highly textured due to the small sizes of brick pavers and the many joint lines. Minimize visual texture by replacing the jointing compound with a color that blends better into the dominant color of the patio material. Contrast Through Masonry Use lighter masonry to create seating walls or outdoor fire features to lighten the look of a brick patio. Alternatively, blue- or gray-tinted stones such as bluestone, granite, slate, or limestone are a way to tone down the color of a dated-looking patio. Use these materials on retaining walls, benches, outdoor kitchen walls, your new outdoor fireplace or fire pit, and any water features. Related: 4 Questions to Ask When Deciding If a Brick Patio Is Right for Your Naperville, IL Home |
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