design - LJN Blog Posts - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-29T13:08:46Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/designWhy this Garden Works - Lan Su Chinese Gardenhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/lan-su-chinese-garden2016-12-13T09:39:34.000Z2016-12-13T09:39:34.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>Lan Su Chinese Garden, USA</b></font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">In this second design article on 'Why this Garden Works' we'll look at a traditional Chinese garden. Unfortunately not in China but, nonetheless, authentically built by Chinese artisans in Portland, Oregon.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">Lan Su (<a href="http://www.lansugarden.org/">www.lansugarden.org</a>) is a great example of urban garden design. Its whole purpose is to help people relax and to inspire creativity by connecting with nature, even in the centre of town. Although it is modelled after a 16</font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">th</font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"> century city garden, Lan Su's design tips are just as relevant today.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>Boundaries and Views</b></font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">Like some of the earliest Middle Eastern gardens, the classical Chinese garden is enclosed by walls. High, whitewashed walls hide the city streets with additional walls and screens dividing up the space within. This doesn't sound too different from a prison but the garden manages to feel more like a secluded oasis.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314739126?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314739126?profile=original" width="750" class="align-full" /></a></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>Design Tips:</b></font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>1. Feature your boundaries. </b></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">Painting boundary walls bright white goes against the strategy of densely planting up garden boundaries and painting them dark to try to make the garden look bigger. The idea behind the white walls is that they act like the paper in a landscape painting – the garden scene is artfully arranged in front. Warning: your planting design has to be pretty awesome to pull this off.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>2. Add transparency to your divides. </b></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">Openings in Lan Su's walls help to avoid the claustrophobic feeling of a totally enclosed space. You can always see out and through. Walls have decorative windows and circular moon gates. Screens are rarely solid. Trees are pruned to lift their canopies so that you can peek between the trunks. Creating these multiple vertical layers makes a small space look bigger and more tempting to explore.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>3. Draw the eye away from bad views. </b></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">Most urban gardens have views that you want to hide: overlooking properties, power lines, a neighbour's shed. Even if you can't totally screen views outside the garden you can encourage people to look within the garden. A good distraction is amazing paving, or indeed, anything low down and interesting. My eye is instantly drawn to the ground plane in the Lan Su garden where I find it really hard to stop looking at those beautiful pebble paths.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>Layout</b></font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">The Lan Su garden is centred around a large pond, circled by buildings and courtyards. Hardscaping and planting are highly symbolic. There are meanings behind almost every rock and tree - very different to most western gardens.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314744514?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314744514?profile=original" width="750" class="align-full" /></a></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>Design Tips:</b></font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>1. Question the lawn. </b></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">There is no lawn in a traditional Chinese garden. The centre of the garden is usually a large pond rather than the typical western lawn. But it serves the same purpose. Gardens can feel more relaxing if you balance flat, open spaces with enclosed spaces such as structures and planting. The open space can be lawn, water, paving or even sand. In some small Chinese gardens the pond was replaced by an area of white sand, which looked like water in the moonlight. In time this became the Japanese zen garden.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>2. Include space to rest. </b></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">We often design for activity in the garden: trampolines to bounce on, terraces for entertaining, vegetable gardens to tend. We can neglect areas designed for peaceful stillness. The Lan Su garden contains dedicated areas for really connecting with nature: a space for contemplating plum blossoms, one for listening to rain fall on large leaves, another for feeling the wind through the bamboo. It would be hard to convince most of our clients to dedicate areas in the garden for such esoteric pursuits but it's always worth asking them when or where they feel most peaceful and happy in the garden. Even if they can't answer this question, try to design in as many seating areas as possible to encourage clients to simply sit down and rest.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>3. Don't show everything at once. </b></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">As well as helping people to relax, the traditional Chinese garden also aims to inspire creativity. To do this the garden has to be interesting and tantalising. It's hard for a garden to be interesting when you can see all of it at once. It was impossible for me to take a photo of the entire Lan Su garden even through it is a relatively small space. Paths are curved or zig-zagged. There's always something screened or just out of sight, tempting you to explore further. This labyrinthian design is very different from the long views of many European gardens – a sculpture at the end of a straight path or double-herbaceous borders.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>Planting Design</b></font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">Plants have been very carefully selected in the Lan Su Garden to fit into small spaces and to reflect the four seasons. I've been to the garden twice now - in January and in June. The garden looked just as fully-planted in the winter as in the summer.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314743100?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314743100?profile=original" width="750" class="align-full" /></a></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>Design Tips:</b></font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>1. Design with your nose.</b></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"> Looking through the plant list for the garden I'm struck by the high proportion of plants chosen for their scent - especially their winter and night-time fragrance. Winter gardens can often focus on the look of the plant: red stems, peeling bark, evergreens. But small, urban gardens are perfect places for scented plants.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>2. Try new plants. </b></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">There are quite a number of lovely plants on Lan Su's list that are unfamiliar to me. I know that Portland's climate is very similar climate to much of the UK so I'm going to search out these plants. It's easy to get into the habit of just planting whatever you can easily find at your favourite nursery, assuming nothing else will grow locally. Better to try out at least one new plant each time you design a planting scheme – some might fail but others could be a spectacular success.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif"><b>3. Shrubs are back. </b></font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">How many perennials can you see in these photos? Not so many, yet there is year-round interest from trees, shrubs and grasses. These are not your stereotypical 'heavy' shrub borders with clashing conifers and dark rhododendrons. There there are a large number of evergreens but only a few conifers with the exception of pines. The borders have a light feel and are restful to the eye. The main colour is mid-green with subtle pops of colour here and there. There is a lot more focus on leaf shape and plant height. A few high-canopy trees, a mix of shrubs (some large but mostly small), and a lot of lower ground cover – especially swathes of evergreen grasses.</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><font color="#000000"><font face="ArialMT, serif">The Lan Su Garden is very different to gardens many of us are used to and has pushed my own ideas about garden design. It's one of the few gardens I've genuinely enjoyed wandering around in the winter. As the festive season draws near, I hope that you will be able to find your own little space to be creative, connect with nature and, most of all, rest. Merry Christmas!</font></font></p>
<p class="western"><strong>Articles in the Why this Garden Works series:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/Tuinen-Mien-Ruys">Tuinen Mien Ruys</a></li>
<li><a href="http://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/lan-su-chinese-garden" target="_self">Lan Su Chinese Garden</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="western"><strong>About the author</strong></p>
<p class="western"><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314809486?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="80" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314809486?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="80" class="align-left" /></a></strong></p>
<p class="western"><strong>Tracy Rich is a landscape designer </strong>based in Stirling, Scotland.</p>
<p class="western">Tracy provides a full range of garden design services for private residences and community spaces.</p>
<p class="western"><a href="http://servedbyadbutler.com/redirect_alink.spark?ALID=7706&ID=168428">www.tracyrichdesign.com</a> <img src="http://servedbyadbutler.com/adserve/;type=alink;ALID=7706;ID=168428" border="0" width="1" height="1" /></p>
</div>9 Hottest Garden Design Trends - 2016https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/9-hottest-garden-design-trends-20162016-07-13T06:58:07.000Z2016-07-13T06:58:07.000ZRicky Goodwinhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/RickyGoodwin61<div><p>In our busy lives, there are times when you wish to be closer to nature. Gardens are simply the best options to do so, without having to venture out in long, risky, adventurous jungle-rides. Bought a beautiful new house and planning a garden or need to give a nice make-over to the existing garden? There are a lot of beautiful garden designs trending this year that will help you transform your outdoor space into beautiful hangouts for your friends and family to rejoice and cherish.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314798015?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314798015?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" /></a>It is a good idea to keep your garden as an useful space all throughout the year, which can also be used as an extra room in your house where you can socialise while getting some fresh air and relaxing. While a lot of people across London invest heavily in recreating their outdoor spaces, here are some good ideas to catch up to, as we enlist for you the hottest garden design trends that are going to dominate 2016.</p>
<p><strong>1.    Outdoor Living Area</strong></p>
<p>Using furniture in your garden has always been a popular practice but in 2016, it is going to witness a whole new level of innovations. Extended kitchen areas, fire-pits and also a stylish welcoming area to relax and enjoy are trending. Also installing a barbecue and seating area helps in giving your garden a fresh new look!</p>
<p><strong>2.    Natural Looking Furniture</strong></p>
<p>This has been in trend for a few years now and is still going strong. Using furniture with natural look helps in giving your garden a Mediterranean feel. With the choice of plants or through the design of cushions and other accessories, you will always have scope to add different colours and patterns so that your garden looks unique.</p>
<p><strong>3.    Minimalist Design</strong></p>
<p>The minimalist design has been in trend for indoors but in 2016 it is sure to spread to outdoor design as well. With monochrome palettes, one can create sophisticated and calm garden spaces. Grey shades can be used to give your garden a soothing feel. Additional features like stone water, slate and white flora can enhance the beauty of your garden.</p>
<p><strong>4.    Vegetable Plantation</strong></p>
<p>As increasing numbers of people are looking for different ways to make their outdoor space more useful throughout the year, one trend which is catching up pretty fast is the vegetable plantation. It helps you in being partially self-sufficient and with proper strategy; you might avoid supermarkets altogether. Vegetables planted in your garden also assure that you are having healthy and natural, homegrown food.</p>
<p>The Garden Builders team will help you decide the best way to plant vegetable patches in your garden. Its award-winning team will exclusively work to help you out with finest of solutions and ideas.</p>
<p><strong>5.    Lighting Variety</strong></p>
<p>It has been noticed that using lighting to enhance the garden beauty has picked up way faster. There have been a lot of notable innovations, such as LED bulbs and mobile app-controlled lighting systems which have helped in surging the sales of lighting products, especially for gardens. Garden owners are using greener solutions such as solar LEDs to highlight important trees, rare plants and other architectural features.</p>
<p><strong>6.    Different Materials</strong></p>
<p>In 2016, you shall also witness a lot of variety in the material used for your garden design. Different texture and atmosphere help in redefining a space. Mixing wood with iron or steel with wicker can help you get results like never before.</p>
<p><strong>7.    Illusion See-Through Fencing</strong></p>
<p>We know that both see-through and fencing are contradictory terms because fencing is for privacy but it is all about how well can one experiment. The slats can be placed at an angle which helps in giving a feel of see-through and also lets a lot of light come in.</p>
<p><strong>8.    Compactness</strong></p>
<p>Dwarfs and compact plants are very helpful in managing good gardens in confined spaces. These plants have the same characteristics as bigger plants but they help in saving a lot of space. It also has the advantage of fewer management worries and easier cleaning. Compact hydrangeas and shrub roses are the best options for gardening purpose in restrictive spaces.</p>
<p><strong>9.    Pallet Furniture</strong></p>
<p>This concept has got famous very recently. The innovation behind this concept is amazing and has managed to grab a lot of attention from across the world. These are even used in bars which are mostly handmade. It can indeed be an amazing moment for your guests when they come to know that your furniture has been crafted from pallets.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>
<p>There are a lot of garden designs ideas and suggestions available over the internet. It is, however, very important to choose the most sustainable options of all. One also has to keep the budget in mind while designing the garden. If there is high expenditure involved while making the garden area then there are high chances of high maintenance expenses too in the future. Hence, make smart, well thought of and sustainable choices for your garden design in 2016!</p>
<p>Still Confused? Call the experts for help.</p>
<p></p>
</div>Bespoke artificial hedge planter transforms a tired balconyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/bespoke-artificial-hedge-planter-transformed-a-tired-balcony2016-04-29T08:39:03.000Z2016-04-29T08:39:03.000ZJenny Mellishhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/jennymellish<div><p><a width="250" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314806109?profile=RESIZE_320x320" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314806109?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p><p>Dave has lived in the penthouse for 6 years. He was not happy about the tired red brick wall on the balcony. He called for my help.</p><p>It was straightforward to install the<a rel="nofollow" href="http://hedgedin.co.uk/shop/artificial-hedges/artificial-ivy-leaf-50cm-x-50cm/" target="_blank">ivy leaf hedge panels</a> onto the existing surface. Use cable ties to fix the hedges onto the metal frame as there were some gaps to utilise. And use galvanised masonary nails to secure the hedge panels onto the wall.</p><p>It was slightly trickier for the other side of the balcony. Dave wanted to build a tall privacy screen to hide his BBQ and other objects behind the scene when not in use, but to remain accessible. Also it acts as a windshield.</p><p>I suggested we use the same <a rel="nofollow" href="http://hedgedin.co.uk/shop/artificial-hedges/artificial-ivy-leaf-50cm-x-50cm/" target="_blank">artificial ivy leaf hedge panel</a> to build the planter. I built the hedge planter the same height and colour as his balcony. One challenge was the narrow staircase to access the apartment. I overcame this by building the planter on site.</p><p><a href="http://hedgedin.co.uk/how-to-build-artificial-hedge-fence/" target="_blank"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314807688?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p><p>Dave's balcony has been transformed into a greenery. He is planning a party to show off his oasis to his friends and family.</p><p>This is what he wrote " <br/> <em><strong>Jenny is an artist and has great vision. She works with you to develop the ideal garden or installation. The work she does is superb in quality, style and look. I cannot say how much she has transformed my garden space into a wonderful place to relax and spend time."</strong></em></p><p><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314807956?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></p></div>Sell your house quicker with the help of artificial hedgeshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/sell-your-house-quicker-with-the-help-of-artificial-hedges2016-02-24T14:12:31.000Z2016-02-24T14:12:31.000ZJenny Mellishhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/jennymellish<div><p><a href="http://www.hedgedin.co.uk" target="_blank"><img width="600" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314733121?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="600" class="align-full"/></a></p><p>Louise wanted to put the house on the market to sell. There was a problem, because from her living room she could see a mouldy wall in her courtyard.</p><p>Louise searched online and decided to cover the offending wall with artificial hedges. After examining various samples from suppliers, she decided to go ahead with <a rel="nofollow" href="http://hedgedin.co.uk/shop/artificial-hedges/artificial-ivy-bush-50cm-x-50cm/" target="_blank">Hedged In Ivy Spring Bush</a> as it offered the best solution. She received 20% off as a taken of good luck, also some advice on installation. Her artificial hedges arrived next day, and was installed by her husband in less than four hours. Louise has since sold her house and moved on, but knows her former courtyard will look fresh all year round.</p></div>Top 5 Screening and Storage Solutions for the Gardenhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/top-5-screening-and-storage-solutions-for-the-garden2015-06-08T10:28:35.000Z2015-06-08T10:28:35.000ZAnna @ Jacksons Fencinghttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AnnaJacksonsFencing<div><p>Just like your interior accommodation, the outside room that is your garden needs to fulfill a number of functions, which means there is a strong risk that outdoor based clutter can sometimes be at odds with the desired stylish alfresco living setting. </p><p><span>The solution to this problem is to employ successful screening tactics combined with creative storage solutions. And whilst screening can be used to great effect to hide or disguise certain features, it also has an important role to play in defining key areas within the outdoor space.</span><br/> <br/> <span>Here’s our take on some of the best screening / storage ideas to keep your garden looking gorgeous this summer.</span></p><h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;" class="font-size-5"><strong>Wonder walls</strong></span></h2><p></p><p><span>Walls provide the ultimate in privacy and shielding and with the right choice of materials, complement Britain’s natural countryside. Authentic stone walling will not only add rustic charm to your outdoor space, it also ages beautifully. Walling is also a favoured choice for garden designers looking to introduce an individual stamp on an outdoor space and has many applications beyond just offering a secure perimeter boundary. It can be successfully used to create a more intimate and sheltered patio area; build eye catching (and low maintenance) raised beds and can also become the backdrop to a stunning water feature.</span></p><p><img src="https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/pages/multimedia/db_image.image?CrnID=-1&id=14235&width=200&height=150&quality=85&crop=False&percent=0&vm=0" alt="A garden living wall" align="right" width="200" height="150"/>Living walls have been the talk of the landscaping community in recent years and offer an excellent opportunity to create a stunning visual screen, which blends perfectly with the garden landscape. A living wall is a self sufficient vertical ‘mini garden’ grown in a panel system that is attached to a free standing frame or to the exterior of a building. The plants contained within the wall receive water and nutrients from within the vertical support instead of from the ground. Visit the RHS website for more info: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=547" target="_blank">www.rhs.org.uk/advice</a></p><h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;" class="font-size-5"><strong>Designer fencing</strong></span></h2><p></p><p><span>A fence provides the perfect screening device as well as a useful boundary marker if you are looking to create distinct zones within the garden. Attractive </span><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/fencing/fencing-panels/woven/fencing-panels-woven.aspx" target="_self">woven panels</a><span> or bold </span><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/fencing/fencing-panels/venetian/fencing-panels-venetian.aspx" target="_self">Venetian horizontal</a><span> panels, not only represent excellent stylish screening solutions, they both also benefit from offering striking filtered light effects to deliver a visually stunning focal point within the garden.</span><br/> <br/> <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/fencing/secret-garden-collection/trellis-premier-lattice/secret-garden-collection-trellis-premier-lattice.aspx">Lattice Trellis </a><span>panels complemented by beautifully scented climber flowers such as clematis can be used to establish a private area in the garden for dining or relaxing. They can also be combined with pergolas to establish a commanding structure that sections off a slice of the garden.</span><br/> <br/> <span>There are occasions where screening may be required for safety rather than aesthetic purposes, for example, screening off a swimming pool. Here it is important that the fence represents a strong and robust structure to maintain a secure boundary that cannot be easily scaled and which does not pose any risk of injury to young children as a result of entrapment of limbs. </span></p><h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;" class="font-size-5"><strong>Hedge your bets</strong></span></h2><p></p><p><img src="https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/pages/multimedia/db_image.image?CrnID=-1&id=21566&width=200&height=133&quality=85&crop=False&percent=0&vm=0" alt="Green Garden Hedge" align="left" width="250" height="167"/><span>There's a lot to be said for boundaries that consist of plants rather than solid materials. Hedges provide shelter and food for wildlife, as well as adding colour, texture and even fragrance across the seasons. And if you’re interested in planting a hedge, which can act as a burglar deterrent, planting options for the security conscious include barberry, firethorn, rose, holly, hawthorn and gorse. </span><br/> <br/> <span>Hedges are also frequently used to segment spaces within the garden, providing an entirely natural line of division between one area and another. Hedges used for this purpose also offer the additional benefit of boasting aesthetic appeal and can become a focal point in their right – mazes and topiary being good examples of this.</span></p><div>Hedging plants can be chosen to suit your local area – mixed native hedging looks good in a rural setting, while mop-head hydrangeas or silver-leaved sea buckthorn work well for coastal gardens. Classic hedge plants such as yew, holly and box can be easily trimmed to a particular size or shape, making them look good in a formal setting.</div><div> <div><img src="https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/pages/multimedia/db_image.image?CrnID=-1&id=11070&width=173&height=200&quality=85&crop=False&percent=0&vm=0" alt="Jacksons Wheelie Bin Storage" align="right" width="173" height="200"/><h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="font-size-5"><strong>Bins be gone</strong></span></span></h2><p></p><p>Wheelie bins are a household necessity but do little to complement the garden scenery. Conjure up a classy disguise for your bins by storing them in a bespoke <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/fencing/secret-garden-collection/sheds-wheelie-bin-store/secret-garden-collection-garden-sheds-wheelie-bin-store.aspx" target="_self">wheelie bin storage shed</a>, crafted from smart tongue and groove effect boards supported by a strong galvanised steel frame.</p><h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="font-size-5"><strong>Children’s ultimate play zone</strong></span></span></h2><p></p>Just as you may have a play room inside the home, where all the children’s toys are neatly contained, you can do the same in the garden by installing a dedicated <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/fencing/secret-garden-collection/shelters-zone/secret-garden-collection-shelters-zone.aspx?pg=871" target="_self">Zone shelter </a>which doubles up as a sun-safe getaway for the younger members of the family.<br/> <br/> So with a little forward planning and screening savvy, your garden can be clutter free! Tweet us <a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/Jacksonsfencing">@JacksonsFencing</a> with your personal clever screening / storage solutions for the garden.</div></div></div>Street Furniture and The True Cost of Buying Cheaphttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/street-furniture-and-the-true-cost-of-buying-cheap-12015-03-04T11:14:16.000Z2015-03-04T11:14:16.000ZBailey Artformhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/PaulGarratt<div><p>First of all I'd just like to say that I'm not a Dr of anything and don’t have an "ology" to my name. In fact the only Bsc I have is a Bronze Swimming Certificate!<a href="http://www.baileyartform.co.uk/artformblog/street-furniture-and-the-true-cost-of-buying-cheap/" target="_blank"><img width="350" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314754933?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350" class="align-right"/></a></p><p>What I do have however is over 20 years' experience in the Street Furniture business so I hope you enjoy reading what is my personal opinion on a subject that is close to my heart.</p><p>I was recently highlighting a particular design of seat to a client and the first words out of his mouth were...</p><p>"I really like the design Louis, but it looks expensive to me."</p><p>And although he was very happy when we discussed the actual cost his words kept coming back to me and it really got me thinking.</p><p>So I decided to write this guide...</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>The 3 things you need to know when buying or specifying street furniture</strong></span><br/> <strong>(...in order to ascertain the true cost of an item)</strong></p><p>Over the years I've seen literally thousands of items of street furniture sold and far too often the "only" consideration has been the price of the product.</p><p>It's sad but true to say that when discussing outdoor seating for instance, I've had comments such as "it's just for sitting on" and "they all do the same job" used as justification for buying the cheapest possible benches for a scheme. Whilst yes they are all "for sitting on", those comments over simplify the decision making process and can adversely affect the life cycle cost of the product in the months and years to come.</p><p>Another factor which makes it difficult to accurately establish the overall "on-cost" of a piece of site furniture is when there are different budgets available for installation versus maintenance. As a result the two are never married up and the actual real world cost of a specific product over time is never calculated or understood.</p><p>Ok so to nail down this issue of "true cost" once and for all, what are the 3 things you need to focus on?</p><p><strong>1.) Original cost & material specification of product</strong><br/> <strong>2.) Cost of installation & delivery</strong><br/> <strong>3.) Ongoing maintenance costs and expected life-span of product</strong></p><p><br/> Let's look at the first point in more detail</p><p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>1. Original cost & material specification of the product</strong></span><a href="http://www.baileyartform.co.uk/artformblog/street-furniture-and-the-true-cost-of-buying-cheap/" target="_blank"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314749924?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-right"/></a></p><p>I'm sure we've all seen schemes where the street furniture looks in need of some maintenance despite being installed for less than a year. This is usually the result of budgets being slashed as the project nears its completion and funds areQuote drying up, thereby specifications are being downgraded.</p><p>The decision of which item of street furniture is to be chosen for a particular scheme most often begins with choosing the material from which it is made, typically wood, metal, stone and combinations of all three. To illustrate the importance of choosing not just the right material but also the right "grade" of material at the outset, I will highlight two real world examples that cover "stainless steel" and "granite" as two popular material choices in contemporary landscaping schemes.</p><p><strong>Example A) - Stainless Steel</strong></p><p>Let us imagine then, that scheme A calls for stainless steel as a material choice. Stainless steel is widely acknowledged as being aesthetically pleasing, fully recyclable and viewed as a low maintenance material.</p><p>So is one <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.baileyartform.co.uk/browse-by-product/bollards/diffusion-news.html" target="_blank">stainless steel bollard</a> as good as another? The answer is a resounding no!</p><p><strong>Grade</strong><br/> If the installation setting for your bollard is a coastal location (which means there will be high sodium chloride levels in the air) then grade 316 stainless steel must to be used. Yes it’s initially more expensive than grade 304 but it will resist contamination resulting in a longer life span.</p><p><strong>Finish</strong><br/> Also we must consider the finish of the stainless steel. When the finish is specified in the more "cost effective" brushed satin or dull polished then although this results in a lower cost for the item usually it results in higher maintenance costs...</p><p><strong>Why?</strong></p><p>Because airborne pollutants can adhere to the stainless steel better when there is a surface that it can cling to, resulting in what many people refer to as "tea staining" <strong>(see image 1 below)</strong></p><p><strong>Cleaning & Maintenance</strong><br/> This can be cleaned with a specialist cleaning agent but again this comes at a cost that isn’t usually considered at point of sale (see image 2 below where a small area has been cleaned) So it’s always best to choose a bright polish finish which adds lustre whilst also minimising maintenance costs, as there's nowhere for these pesky airborne pollutants to stick to!</p><p><a href="http://www.baileyartform.co.uk/artformblog/street-furniture-and-the-true-cost-of-buying-cheap/" target="_blank"><img width="710" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314751870?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="710" class="align-center"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314758512?profile=original" target="_self"><br/></a> <span class="font-size-2">You know, all this metallurgical talk is taking me back to my younger days, when I was involved in the jewellery trade. On many occasions customers would come into my premises, really excited over the bargain gold jewellery they’d bought whilst on holiday asking me to test the quality of the "gold" and value it for them. I'd explain that the acid test would ruin the item if it was a fake but they always asked me to go ahead.</span></p><p></p><p>Nearly 100% of the time their faces would show shock when the acid was applied (to the item not their face) and it started bubbling away eating into the cheap base metal.</p><p><strong>It may have looked like the real thing and been able to be worn by the owner but did they REALLY get value for money?</strong></p><p>I am reminded of a quote by John Ruskin...</p><p><span class="font-size-4"><em style="font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="font-size-4"><em><b>"It's unwise to pay too much, but it's worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money - that's all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do."</b></em></span><br/></b></em></span></p><p></p><p><strong>Stainless Steel Bench Case Study</strong><br/> Here is a brief <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.baileyartform.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bailey Artform</a> case study to demonstrate how these principles apply in real world examples</p><p>The Bailey Artform <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.baileyartform.co.uk/libre-seat.html" target="_blank">Metalco Libre Seat</a> shown below was specified for the first phase of a scheme on the site a modern University Campus</p><p><a href="http://www.baileyartform.co.uk/libre-seat.html" target="_blank"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314772670?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center"/></a></p><div id="stcpDiv"><p>However on the second phase of the project, a cheaper "look-a-like" seat was chosen from a different supplier as a "cost saving" exercise.</p><p>But look closely at the cheaper look-a-like benches installed on the second phase and you will soon see evidence of defects due to lower grade materials used. The surface has significantly deteriorated in a very short space of time and is clearly visible to the naked eye.</p><a href="http://www.baileyartform.co.uk/libre-seat.html" target="_blank"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314773677?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center"/></a></div><div><div id="stcpDiv"><p>And the takeaway lesson from all this...?</p><h3>"Cheap is most certainly NOT always best when it comes to specifying urban furniture!"</h3><p>I'm pleased to say that our Libra Seat was once again ordered for the final phase!</p></div></div><p><strong>Example B - Granite</strong><br/> So let's move on to our second material of choice to discuss...Granite.</p><p>Granite as a material is extremely durable and is virtually maintenance free. It's a sobering fact to think that any item of granite street furniture that I provide to my clients is likely to long outlive me, and probably still be around when my grandchildren are grandparents!</p><p>For longevity of product lifespan combined with huge value for money, I genuinely think you would have to search for a very, very long time to find a better example than the Bailey Artform <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.baileyartform.co.uk/browse-by-range/gravin.html" target="_blank">Gravin Range</a> of Granite Street Furniture products. This attractive family of superior quality natural stone products offers a selection of exceptionally high-grade granite outdoor solutions, chosen specifically for outstanding quality and creative design.</p><p><a href="http://www.baileyartform.co.uk/estela-bench-951.html" target="_blank"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314770809?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center"/></a></p><p><br/> As for the "looks expensive to me" syndrome, this range perhaps more than any other is the most surprising in terms of "actual cost" (very low) compared to "perceived value and material performance" (very high)</p><p><strong>Ring me and just ask how much the Couso bench pictured below is.</strong></p><p>No I'm serious!<br/> Pick up the phone now, call me, say you’ve just read my blog & ask how much the bench below is</p><p>Direct Line: 01625 855 903<br/> Mobile: 07795 246 400</p><p>I promise you’ll be amazed at how affordable it is, coming in at a lower cost than most "so called" cheaper and certainly inferior alternatives out there.</p><p><a href="http://www.baileyartform.co.uk/couso-bench.html" target="_blank"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314757452?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center"/></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-4"><b>2. Cost of installation & delivery</b></span><br/> Understanding the different terminology used for street furniture fitting options is essential in ensuring the right fixing is chosen to minimise installation costs on a project.</p><p>I never automatically assume that everyone I speak to is familiar with the difference between root fixed and sub-surface, or base plated and surface mounted. (However I also try never to teach my grandmother how to suck eggs, so I apologise in advance for highlighting something that you may already know!)</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314776966?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314776966?profile=original" width="700" class="align-center"/></a></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-4">As installation of street furniture is usually at the end of the scheme sometimes issues can arise if the logistics haven't been carefully planned.</span></strong></p><p></p><ul><li><span class="font-size-2">For instance will fork lift trucks still be available for offloading as most items are delivered on pallets.</span></li><li><span class="font-size-2">For offloading of heavier items a crane or HIAB may be required. ('HIAB' is used as a synonym for a loader crane of any make)</span></li><li><span class="font-size-2">For the larger items will there be vehicular access adjacent to where the items are being installed?</span></li></ul><p><strong>Careful planning of the delivery and installation will ensure unnecessary costs aren’t incurred</strong></p><p><strong><span class="font-size-4">3. Ongoing maintenance costs & life-span of product</span></strong><br/> Taking care during installation ensures maintenance is kept to a minimum later on.</p><p>For example, bollards that are being installed where block paving will be the final surface finish. I have been to sites where all the protective packaging has been removed before the block pavers have been installed. The ground workers have been cutting blocks and the particles of brick and steel from the saw has been hitting the bollards contaminating the stainless steel.</p><p>Another issue being if all the packaging is removed, there is a good chance that concrete will be splashed onto the bollard during installation again causing contamination.</p><p>Before handover another "favourite" of mine is where a site operative has been given the task of making sure that all bollards etc are clean and an oily cloth is used to wipe the surface of the stainless steel. Guess what happens!</p><p>I feel like I’m the harbinger of doom being negative about the pitfalls of poor choice of products and poor maintenance but I genuinely dislike seeing the results of neglected street furniture.</p><p><strong><span class="font-size-4">Summary</span></strong><br/> So why does all this matter? What’s the point? Who actually cares?</p><p>Well apart from stating the obvious point that every single construction professional involved in delivering a project (from landscape architect, through to product designer & manufacturer, main contractor, ground workers & installation team) should strive to deliver the very best they can in order to give the client the end result they paid for, to the agreed quality standard and "fit for use" specification...apart from that?</p><p>I think the ultimate "customer" when it comes to public realm projects and shared urban spaces is the public, (that includes you and me) tourists, workers, young people, old people...the users of this space who live amongst these designs each and every day to meet, to communicate, to rest, to interact..and to appreciate (whether consciously or subconsciously) the true value of good design.</p><p>When we are in a public space that is well designed and well maintained we have an automatic personal feeling of wellbeing. We want to stop and interact with the landscape.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br/> So perhaps by specifying quality site furniture we’ve paid a little bit more, but by doing so we’ve not only ensured that these products stand the test of time... investing in well-designed street furniture means we’ve made a lasting positive impact on the lives of people we probably will never meet.</p><p>This is the point made by well-known British architect Richard Rogers when he said</p><p><span class="font-size-4"><strong><em>"My passion and great enjoyment for architecture, and the reason the older I get the more I enjoy it, is because I believe we - architects - can affect the quality of life of the people."</em></strong></span></p><p><strong>Now that’s what I call true value for money!</strong></p><p>If you're as old as me you might remember having to "save things for best" (usually an item of clothing that your mum or dad bought you)</p><p>They spent more on that special item than perhaps was usual but how did it make you feel?</p><ul><li><span class="font-size-2">Wasn't it really well looked after and you got told off if you got it damaged.</span></li><li><span class="font-size-2">You got pleasure and enjoyment from showing it off to your mates.</span></li><li><span class="font-size-2">You got envious looks and they wished they owned something similar.</span></li><li><span class="font-size-2">And it really did last a long time and still look like new!</span></li></ul><p>In my own daft way, I want to help my clients specify <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.baileyartform.co.uk/" target="_blank">street furniture</a> that is looked upon and treated in the same way</p><p>I want it to be looked after</p><p>I want people to be proud of what we've "given" them</p><p>I want it to be enjoyed for many years to come.</p><p><span class="font-size-4"><strong> Louis Lynch - Commercial Director, Bailey Artform Ltd.</strong></span></p><p><a href="http://www.baileyartform.co.uk/dahlia-planter-904.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314772910?profile=original" width="150" class="align-full"/></a></p></div>Beautiful Boarders Show Garden Competition 2015https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/beautiful-boarders-show-garden-competition-20152015-01-20T12:55:29.000Z2015-01-20T12:55:29.000ZBBC Gardeners' World Live 2015https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/MatildaSandysRenton<div><p><span><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314723624?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314723624?profile=original" width="620" class="align-full"/></a>Apply now</strong> to be part of the <strong>Beautiful Boarders Competition</strong> at <strong>BBC Gardeners' World Live 2015</strong></span><br/><br/><span>Beautiful Borders are unique to BBC Gardeners' World Live, providing an opportunity for horticultural <strong>studen</strong></span><span><strong>ts and budding gardeners</strong> to experience the design, planning and build of a horticultural exhibit in a show environment, without the large financial and resource commitment of a show garden.<br/><br/>This is a great opportunity for <strong>first time show garden designers</strong>, and is a launchpad for the up and coming <strong>designers of the future</strong>. <br/><br/>Follow the link below to read the facts and apply:</span></p><p><span>http://www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com/Content/Beautiful-Borders</span></p></div>Need garden design inspiration?https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/need-garden-design-ideas-inspiration2014-12-16T07:37:20.000Z2014-12-16T07:37:20.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314768587?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Check out some of the projects on <a href="https://www.houzz.co.uk" target="_blank">Houzz</a>.</p>
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<div><a href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/20177540/surrey-large-garden-contemporary-garden-south-east"><img src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/80410b29046ddfea_8-1677/contemporary-garden.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="326" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #444;"><small><a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/contemporary/landscape">Contemporary Landscape</a> by <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/professionals/landscape-architects-and-garden-designers/east-anglia">East Anglia Landscape Architects & Garden Designers</a> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/rosemarycoldstream/rosemary-coldstream-garden-design-limited">Rosemary Coldstream Garden Design Limited</a></small></div>
<div><a href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/13372577/family-garden-contemporary-garden-manchester-uk"><img src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/4f810d53039ec9f2_8-9533/contemporary-garden.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="334" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #444;"><small><a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/contemporary/landscape">Contemporary Landscape</a> by <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/professionals/landscape-architects-and-garden-designers/manchester-UK">Manchester UK Landscape Architects & Garden Designers</a> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/barneswalker/barnes-walker-ltd-landscape-architects">Barnes Walker Ltd - Landscape Architects</a></small></div>
<div><a href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/6947143/hitchin-barn-garden-contemporary-garden-other-metro"><img src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/2a11baed028bab9c_8-5154/contemporary-garden.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #444;"><small><a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/contemporary/landscape">Contemporary Landscape</a> by <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/professionals/landscape-architects-and-garden-designers/east-anglia">East Anglia Landscape Architects & Garden Designers</a> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/amanda-broughton6929927/amanda-broughton-garden-design">Amanda Broughton Garden Design</a></small></div>
<div><a href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/6941564/manor-house-pool-building-contemporary-garden-other-metro"><img src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/7d31e199028b46c3_8-9340/contemporary-garden.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="490" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #444;"><small><a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/contemporary/landscape">Contemporary Landscape</a> by <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/south-west">South West Architects</a> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/yiangou/yiangou-architects">Yiangou Architects</a></small></div>
<div><a href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/13372700/new-cheshire-estate-traditional-garden-north-west"><img src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/2ca1db6e039ece05_8-6364/traditional-garden.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="334" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #444;"><small><a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/traditional/landscape">Traditional Landscape</a> by <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/professionals/landscape-architects-and-garden-designers/manchester-UK">Manchester UK Landscape Architects & Garden Designers</a> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/barneswalker/barnes-walker-ltd-landscape-architects">Barnes Walker Ltd - Landscape Architects</a></small></div>
<div><a href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/13372508/traditional-landscape-traditional-garden-north-west"><img src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/6811b961039ec6a6_8-3057/traditional-garden.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="376" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #444;"><small><a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/traditional/landscape">Traditional Landscape</a></small></div>
<div><a href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/17940572/woodland-rain-gardens-traditional-garden-other-metro"><img src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/d011c16b0429bf32_8-2073/traditional-garden.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="400" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #444;"><small><a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/traditional/landscape">Traditional Landscape</a> by <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/professionals/landscape-architects-and-garden-designers/c/Alexandria--LA">Alexandria Landscape Architects & Garden Designers</a> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/jeffreycarbo/jeffrey-carbo-landscape-architects">Jeffrey Carbo Landscape Architects</a></small></div>
<div><a href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/13354181/garden-in-the-hills-contemporary-garden-north-west"><img src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/66c12109039c6339_8-7950/contemporary-garden.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="480" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #444;"><small><a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/contemporary/landscape">Contemporary Landscape</a> by <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/professionals/landscape-architects-and-garden-designers/north-west">North West Landscape Architects & Garden Designers</a> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/katepatersongardendesign/kate-paterson-garden-design">Kate Paterson Garden Design</a></small></div>
<div><a href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/13151552/bali-awards-winners-2013-traditional-garden-other-metro"><img src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/c1c1f7c60396e3ff_8-9400/traditional-garden.jpg" border="0" width="500" height="332" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #444;"><small><a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/traditional/landscape">Traditional Landscape</a> by <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/professionals/schools-organisations-and-associations/west-midlands">West Midlands Schools and Organisations</a> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="http://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/bali-uk/british-association-of-landscape-industries">British Association of Landscape Industries</a></small></div>
</div>Enjoying the great outdoorshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/enjoying-the-great-outdoors2014-11-28T20:26:47.000Z2014-11-28T20:26:47.000ZGeorge Smith - GreenArthttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/GeorgeSmith<div><p>A recent study by The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) showed that the average new family home had less than 100 square metres of floor space while it had 75 square metres of rear garden. As homes are getting smaller and gardens represent a significant proportion of our living space, homeowners are thinking carefully about how to get the best use from their outside space.</p><p>There will always be room for gardens that look good; aesthetically pleasing spaces that complement and enhance a property and its surrounding. In fact good design is a vital part of achieving this as optimisation of space becomes more and more important.</p><p>Homeowners are demanding more of their gardens, which, given that even a modest garden is probably the biggest living space they have, makes its design even more important. The challenge is to create a usable and practical outdoor space while keeping it versatile, easy to maintain and affordable to begin with.</p><p>The biggest single issue we all have to think about when it comes to gardens in the UK, is the weather. Outdoor dining on long hot summer days might be easy to plan for, but you can still enjoy your garden and use the space it provides you with on cooler, wetter days.</p><p>If 2015 follows the same pattern as recent years, we will see more homeowners building garden rooms, offices and summerhouses so they can enjoy their garden all year round and in any weather. We’ll also see more covered pergolas, loggias and outdoor kitchens to enjoy the sun, shade and even occasional showers, while features such as pools, streams, lawns and even veg beds can still be enjoyed in all weathers.</p><p>Outdoor lighting is becoming more important as we look to extend the time we can spend in the garden, as are innovative seating areas to allow us to appreciate the new evolving space.</p><p>With more and more demands being made on household budgets, the important thing is to prioritise. A recent Which report in 2014 said that the average cost to re-fit a kitchen was £8,000 and a new bathroom was £4,500. Together these rooms are unlikely to account for even a third of the space that your garden represents and the amount of time you and your family spend in them could be significantly less than the time spent outside – even when the sun isn’t shining.</p><p>So, as more and more people are seeing the value of investing in their outside space to enjoy today, as well as a way to add value to their property, where is the best place to start? Like all successful projects, proper planning will make all the difference to the end result. Choose a garden designer with practical experience of hard landscaping and ground works as well as horticultural qualifications and creative ideas. The prettiest design may not always be the most practical to build, or to enjoy in years to come. Choose the best quality landscaping materials you can afford to get the greatest return from your investment. Natural stone and hardwood have already stood the test of time before getting to your garden, so they should ideally be your first choice. Finally, choose a designer you feel you can trust based on their track record and recommendations from customers as well as your ‘gut feel’.</p></div>Gardens to support people living with Dementia.https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/research-is-underway-on-gardens-to-support-those-suffering-from2014-11-03T12:09:21.000Z2014-11-03T12:09:21.000ZDebbie Carrollhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/DebbieCarroll<div><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong> "Why don't we go into the garden?"</strong></span></p><p><strong>(3 November 2014)</strong></p><p>Our reseach into why care homes don't use their gardens more, even when designed to latest guidance, for people with dementia was at last completed last summer and our findings have now been completed and a diagnostic tool to support both the Care industry and Design sector has been developed.</p><p>The original intention was to identify what design aspects were not working and what was needed to ensure gardens were fully used and monies were well spent and most importantly that Residents who wished to could actively engage with the outdoors. Our journey took us on a completely unexpected route as we quickly realised that the design was not the key to the success but that it was about the people who made the interactions happen that mattered. We crossed the threshold into the care homes themselves to better understand what was at work.</p><p>We ended up with a large scale project and gathered nearly 1500 of interactions with the outside by residents with the outdoors. We identified that the most active gardens were directly correlated to how relationship-centred the care was and that the level of fear associated with Health and safety would also cap interactions.</p><p>Where gardens were designed beyond a homes cultural position on a spectrum towards relationship-centred care there was a greater likelihood that the garden would fall out of use after the initial novelty has worn off and that the level of use would return to that matching their cultural position before the new garden was installed. Our diagnostic tool can assist in understanding the cultural position of a home and understanding the type of support a designer can provide to ensure it is effective as a home grows in its use of the outdoors.</p><p>To find out more about our findings and intended work to share this as widely as we can to benefit people in care to access the outdoors more visit our new website. Our aim is to turn our original question "Why don't we go into the garden?" into an invite. If you would be interested in future workshops on these findings then feel free to complete the contact form to join our mailing list. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://stepchange-design.co.uk" target="_blank">www.stepchange-design.co.uk</a></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong><u>Government announce funding to enhance environments for those with demenita</u></strong></p><p><strong>(25 July 2013)</strong></p><p>Governement support to improve environments for those with demenia has been announced following trial projects via the Kings Fund see <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/launch-of-pioneering-dementia-care-pilot-projects">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/launch-of-pioneering-dementia-care-pilot-projects</a> . I am currently working on two hospital gardens benefiting from this funding. One of which was part of the original scheme and has redesigned thier main wards.</p><p>The Dementia research project currently being carried out by Mark Rendell and I is now half way through looking into understanging how to ensure gardens are an active space when the designer leaves. We have had over 400 interactions recorded so far and carried out 9 of the intended 21 detailed visits to care homes across the UK. Some funding from John Lewis has enabled the purchasing of some garden items to test some further theories unfolding from this work. The detailed data gathering phase will be complete by the middle of September with outcomes identified and shared later in the year.</p><p><strong>(22 April 2013)</strong></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Following links made via NAPA (National association for Providers of Activities for Older People) we were inundated with<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314108281?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314108281?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" height="138" width="229"/></a> 50 care homes enquiring about our study. From this 24 have been selected to take part in our study by compiling diaries through the summer on interactions with their outside space. 7 homes have been chosen to take part in detailed observational visits across the summer by the Designers and to test out which elements in a garden give the most positive benefits to those living with dementia.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11pt;">The attached press release has been issued enabling those who want to know more to get in touch or to be kept informed as the project unfolds between May-September.</span></p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314108281?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314107955?profile=original" target="_self">EffectiveGardensMEDIA%20RELEASE1Apr13.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p>(17 January 2013)</p><p><span style="font-family: Verdana; color: black;">We are now seeking Care homes or hospitals with a range of outdoor space to be part of our wider study to run from May to August this year. This builds on work trialled last year. An article will appear in the NAPA (National association for Providers of Activities for Older People) magazine issued to many Care homes across the UK to locate interested locations for two studies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Verdana; color: black;">15+ homes are sought to carry out a simple diary/journal based study on how their outdoor space is currently used by those with dementia and the interactions identified. A further 6 homes are wanted for a more detailed observation based Environmental-behavioural study involving 3 visits by the Designers across the summer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Verdana; color: black;">Locations interested in taking part should contact either of the Designers for more details and detailed packs will be issued at the end of February for those taking part.</span></p><p>Debbie Carroll Garden Designs <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.dcgardendesigns.co.uk/">www.dcgardendesigns.co.uk</a></p><p>Mark Rendell, The Growing Company <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.thegrowingcompany.co.uk/">www.thegrowingcompany.co.uk</a></p><p>(16 December 2012)</p><p>In September I, Mark unfortunately got stranded behind floods, attended a workshop held by NAPA (National association for Providers of Activities for Older People). This small charity packs a mighty punch as it supports care home organisations and is currently advising Government on how activities form an integral part of the care package.</p><p> Their whole ethos sits with the growing move to Person centred care and away from larger group activities to a more tailored, individual activity mix that also supports wider medical needs. This workshop sat well with the project we began this year and has focused our minds to developing our plans to take our project forward on a larger scale and ultimately share the results in 2013. </p><p> In particular we will be looking for Care homes who look after those with Dementia and have an outside space, designed or not, to help us progress the research part of our project. Attached is an introduction page covering the main aspects of our project and how you may be able to help or can pass to anyone you may know who may be interested.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314112371?profile=original" target="_self">Dementia gardens research Designer Intro Dec12</a></p><p> Our focus has refined to the following three key aims:</p><ol><li>To carry out a data gathering exercise with two strands that will use a variety of data capture approaches and will be used to inform best practice to share both with Garden designs but also with the Care industry and appropriate charitable support organisation.<ol><li>A wide scale gathering of information will be used to better understand how the outside space is used currently and how it can be enhanced further.</li><li> A smaller detailed study will be used to test assumptions on existing practice and aims to identify simple garden elements that give the greatest positive impact to the lives of those living with dementia.</li></ol></li><li> To provide a training package for Garden designers to bring them up to date with the latest guidance for garden users with dementia, understanding how care industry structures work to ensure finished gardens are used on completion and describing current good practice from our observations of what works best in designing gardens for people with dementia.</li><li>To offer training and support for key members of the care professions to provide practical and achievable actions for incorporating the outdoor environment more fully in their care regimes and practices. This will also enable them to get the best out of any garden designers employed so they can <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314112170?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314112170?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"/></a>ensure their own expertise on their residents needs is fully considered from the outset.</li></ol><p> We have made contact with NAPA, CQC, HIW and The Alzheimer’s Society to raise the profile of our project and will keep them informed of progress.</p><p> While this project began to support Garden designers it has been widened to include the Care industry themselves, who are the real experts in this field, and are essential to the successful use of their outsides space. Our various strands aim to ensure that where gardens are created, or existing spaces brought into use, they not only look good but are actually “switched on” as an active part of care.</p><p>We also hope to provide evidence of the elements that provide the most positive responses for memory jogging and activity avoiding out of context gimmicks that can add to frustration and confusion.</p><p> Longer term the hope is to refine the most positive elements from our research that can be adapted to the domestic garden so enabling the garden to remain a valuable tool to support the care of those living with dementia while still at home.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>(Photo:Sweetpeas, very familiar & can be cut to take to those with less mobility)</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>(21 September 2012) </p><p> </p><p>It is Alzheimer’s awareness day reminded me to do an update on Mark Rendell's and my progress on investigating how gardens can support those suffering from dementia.</p><p> </p><p>Since my last updates (see below) we have refined a series of tools to aid the early design stages this includes enhanced site analysis questionnaires. We have also developed an approach to assess the use of the garden once complete that can also be used to understand how well an existing space is utilised.</p><p> </p><p>We have completed our first Environmental-behavioural study observation and identified elements that change in the way a garden is used and explored as the illness progresses. We are developing a new activation layer to the traditional design process that ensure the Garden is "switched on" when completed and is treated as part of the care package and not just as a pretty place to look at.</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314114250?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="200" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314114250?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200"/></a>We have been very fortunate to be supported by Hospital Management Trust at a local care home where the garden was re<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314114250?profile=original" target="_self"></a>designed (see photos)and have been permitted to visit to carry out our first observations. The Activity co-ordinator here is keeping an observational diary to continue this work over a longer period. This already is demonstrating some powerful examples of how even a short visit outdoors can benefit residents with greater alertness than when they do not go outside.</p><p> </p><p>Next week Mark and I have been invited along to the HMT management conference and are looking forward to meeting a key speakers from NAPA, an organisation that arranges training for those who provide activities for older care home residents.</p><p> </p><p>(Photo: Familiar feel to garden)</p><p> </p><p>Our next steps is to plan how to gather observations from a much wider range of organisations that care for those with dementia. This will help us build a wider set of data and better understand how gardens/outside space are used and responded to by residents themselves.</p><p>The information gathered will be used to create workshops, specifically aimed at Garden designers, to help them access the wider in<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314115408?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314115408?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"/></a>formation available and support them in creating gardens that are used as part of the care package and that go beyond the often initial request for a pretty garden to look at.</p><p>It is also hoped we will gather enough information over the early part of next year that may be shared so as to benefit anyone supporting those living with dementia whether they live in a care environment or are in thier own home.</p><p> </p><p>(Photo: Original white door repainted to stand out and resemble a front door making it easier to locate way back inside)</p><p>Debbie Carroll Garden Designs <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.dcgardendesigns.co.uk/">www.dcgardendesigns.co.uk</a></p><p>Mark Rendell, The Growing Company <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.thegrowingcompany.co.uk/">www.thegrowingcompany.co.uk</a></p><p> </p><p>_________________________________________________________________________________________________</p><p> </p><p> (28 May 2012)</p><p><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Last week was Dementia awareness week championed by the Alzheimer’s society. The following link emphasises seeing the person behind this dreadful disease bearing in mind 5 key points:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; color: black; font-size: 10pt;">1. It’s not a natural part of growing old.<br/> 2. It’s caused by diseases of the brain. The most common of these is Alzheimer’s.<br/> 3. It’s not just about losing your memory – it can affect thinking, communicating and doing everyday tasks.<br/> 4. It’s possible to live well with it.<br/> 5. There’s more to a person than the dementia.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=1816">http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=1816</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Mark and I are preparing to carry out our first follow up analysis to a dementia designed garden (see earlier details of our research project below this update). A post build survey has been developed, to dovetail to one used as part of the original site analysis and design brief, that will capture data on what aspects of the garden have made a difference, positive or negative. This will be complimented by a series of planned observations that will endeavour to capture a direct response from the sufferers themselves.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode'; color: black; font-size: 10pt;">This aspect is a first step in trying to gather information on the Environmental-Behavioural study (EBS) for the key user. This information is much used in other design disciplines to understand how the environment affects behaviour so allowing design to be informed by this to create the desired and most positive response in the user. Capturing the feedback from this user group is a challenge and one that we hope to share more of as we develop this further in the future, more updates to come.</span></p><p> </p><p>Debbie Carroll Garden Designs <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.dcgardendesigns.co.uk/">www.dcgardendesigns.co.uk</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Mark Rendell, The Growing Company <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.thegrowingcompany.co.uk/">www.thegrowingcompany.co.uk</a></p><p> </p><p>________________________________________________________________________________________________</p><p>(27 March 2012) </p><p>It was good to hear the Governments plans yesterday to increase funding for research into dementia in the UK. The care of those suffering with this awful range of diseases is an area where, along with fellow Garden Designer, Mark Rendell, we have begun work on how gardens can be used to support those suffering from dementia.</p><p> My own interest in this area began while at college 7 years ago when I had to research the needs for an Alzheimer’s hospice as part of a final project. This work was then resurrected and brought up to date in 2011 when re-designing a garden at a Hampshire Dementia care unit on behalf of Hillier Landscapes. This garden been installed and will be planted with help from the residents this spring.</p><p> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314112080?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314112080?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" height="196" width="231"/></a></p><p>This Care home have been exceptionally supportive in helping me to develop various methods for gathering information on what to include, avoid in these gardens and to better understand the “why” elements of a garden may be important. They are also allowing follow up monitoring of the longer term changes of access to the new garden has on behaviour and physical abilities.</p><p> </p><p>Some of this work has already been used for assessing the needs for a second Dementia care unit garden in Kent which I am in the process of designing on behalf of Hillier Landscapes.</p><p> </p><p>The ongoing relationships with these homes to follow up once the gardens are established is such an exciting opportunity to find out how those suffering from dementia interact with their outside space and how this can be made to be both enjoyable, therapeutic and give a sense of self back through familiar activities and settings.</p><p> </p><p>Mark Rendell and I plan to look into this further over the coming year with the hope to gather together the latest information for fellow Garden Designers. This along with our own research may provide additional data to support making the most of gardens for those who suffer both within care homes but also while still in their own home. More information will be provided later in the year both via this route and our websites.</p><p> </p><p>Debbie Carroll Garden Designs <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.dcgardendesigns.co.uk/">www.dcgardendesigns.co.uk</a></p><p>Mark Rendell, The Growing Company <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.thegrowingcompany.co.uk/">www.thegrowingcompany.co.uk</a></p></div>Contemporary Rural Courtyard Garden Design, Walkington, Beverley, East Yorkshire, HU17https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/contemporary-rural-courtyard-garden-design-walkington-beverley2014-10-26T08:28:28.000Z2014-10-26T08:28:28.000ZDavid Beasley Garden Designhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/DavidBeasleyGardenDesign<div><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314194020?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314194020?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3">This large-sized country house courtyard garden in Walkington near Beverley, East Yorkshire was designed during the Summer of 2010.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314199676?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314199676?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3">Prior to commencing my design, the garden was mainly laid to travertine limestone paving with sections of artificial lawn edged by real buxus hedging that was suffering from "box blight".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3">The Design Brief was as follows: A busy professional couple wanted a very low-maintenance garden to entertain and relax in that was also "child-friendly".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314197590?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314197590?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3">The main design-feature was to be a series of large terraces of Indian Sandstone paving linked by "stepping stones" over a large artificial lawn (the Client owned a company specialising in artificial golf greens". The main terrace was to be for dining whilst one near the swimming pool room was to house a children's "Wendy House" and act as a breakfast terrace.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314199685?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314199685?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3">A relaxing "outdoor lounge" area was to be housed on a high quality raised hardwood deck and was to feature comfy rattan seating and a raised fire-pit/table top. The properties lounge was to be accessed via. a flight of steps constructed from the same hardwood and featured a bespoke tiered water cascade at the edges which was to be constructed from lead sheet. The most unusual aspect of this design is that the Client requested that the proposed box-hedging, topiary and lawn be constructed from synthetic materials due to their previous experiences and for low maintenance purposes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314197300?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314197300?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3">The property is down a rural lane on the outskirts of Walkington in East Yorkshire.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3">This design was completed and handed over to the Clients and their builders in the summer of 2010. The landscape construction works took place later that summer and the photographs of the completed garden were taken during 2013.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3">Location: Walkington, East Yorkshire.</span><br/> <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3">Client: Private.</span><br/> <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" class="font-size-3">Garden Designer: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.david-beasley.co.uk/" target="_blank">David Beasley.</a></span></p></div>Breathtaking Bespoke Landscaping Design at St. Patrick’s Churchhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/breathtaking-bespoke-landscaping-design-at-st-patrick-s-church2014-10-24T08:30:00.000Z2014-10-24T08:30:00.000ZTobermorehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/Tobermore<div><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314184322?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314184322?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p><p>The grounds at St. Patrick's Church in Castlederg have recently been redeveloped with an amazing array of world class paving products from Tobermore. Founded in 1942, Tobermore are a world class paving and walling manufacturer supplying products for the commercial and domestic markets throughout the UK and Ireland.</p><p>Founded in October 1876, St. Patrick's Church was built as a breath taking neo-Gothic building, the architectural style of that period, with striking towers and spire features.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314195648?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314195648?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p><p>The remarkable redevelopment of the beautiful church grounds was designed by Keys & Monaghan, based in Enniskillen, and delivered by Conway Builders, L'Derry. A selection of Tobermore's Tegula block paving in mellow Bracken & Tegula Setts in demure Charcoal were the perfect choice for the traditional landscape at St. Patrick's. Tegula is a vintage-themed product with a tumbled, aged appearance. Displaying a timeless elegance and warmth, Tegula is the ideal accompaniment to the traditional splendour of a period design like St. Patrick's Church. Hazard Warning Flags in Buff are also incorporated to ensure safety in assisting blind and partially sighted visitors at the Church.</p><p>The bespoke laying patterns created are a testament to the endless design possibilities available with Tobermore products.</p></div>An outdoor room for healinghttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/an-outdoor-room-for-healing2014-05-12T13:00:00.000Z2014-05-12T13:00:00.000ZPatricia Worbyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/PatriciaWorby<div><p>Now that I am doing both gardening AND offering holistic therapy from my outdoor room (recently built conservatory),it feels like I have truly united growing and healing in one space. Just three weeks to go now til I move everything into the space and open it properly. Still some way to go as the photos here and on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theoutdooroom" target="_blank">facebook page</a> will testify - but already one therapy client has expressed an interest in having me design her garden - just by looking out onto mine..<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314209556?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314209556?profile=original"/></a> so it seems that although the two businesses are very different one can inform the other. And, since they are both very much a part of who I am I no longer feel torn between one and the other. I can do both and be proud of it. Truly a holistic approach!</p></div>Knaresborough garden will celebrate Tour de Francehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/knaresborough-garden-will-celebrate-tour-de-france2014-01-08T17:40:12.000Z2014-01-08T17:40:12.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p>A garden featuring three sculpted bicycles and a French theme will be built in time for the Grand Départ in next year's Tour de France.</p>
<p>Harrogate Borough Council has commissioned a sculptor to create three sculptures to feature in the garden.</p>
<p>The garden will make its début at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show before going on permanent display at the World’s End Garden in Knaresborough.</p>
<p>Read full story: <a href="http://www.wetherbynews.co.uk/news/local/knaresborough-home-for-tour-de-france-garden-1-6359659">http://www.wetherbynews.co.uk/news/local/knaresborough-home-for-tour-de-france-garden-1-6359659</a></p>
</div>Garden design and Landscaping, Tiverton, Devonhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/garden-design-and-landscaping-tiverton-devon2013-12-18T12:30:00.000Z2013-12-18T12:30:00.000ZJackson's Landscape Designhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/JacksonsLandscapeDesign<div><p style="text-align: center;">An insight to the daily life of a garden design and landscaping build up on a rear garden located in Cullompton, Exeter, Devon.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Day 18</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;">Coffee</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/marshalls-raised-black-limestone-planter-preparation" target="_self">View previous day here</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Removing sub base from planter</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b0337b719970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b0337b719970d image-full img-responsive" title="Removing sub base in planter" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b0337b719970d-800wi" alt="Removing sub base in planter" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Planter ready for topsoil</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b0337bc9c970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b0337bc9c970d image-full img-responsive" title="Planter ready for topsoil" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b0337bc9c970d-800wi" alt="Planter ready for topsoil" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Progress on garden landscape Tiverton</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b0337c3f0970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b0337c3f0970d image-full img-responsive" title="Progress on garden landscape Tiverton" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b0337c3f0970d-800wi" alt="Progress on garden landscape Tiverton" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Garden design and landscaping in Devon</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201a3faab51b5970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e201a3faab51b5970b image-full img-responsive" title="Garden design and Landscaping Devon" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201a3faab51b5970b-800wi" alt="Garden design and Landscaping Devon" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Marshalls faistone step riser</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201a3faab5d3b970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e201a3faab5d3b970b image-full img-responsive" title="Marshalls Fairstone step riser" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201a3faab5d3b970b-800wi" alt="Marshalls Fairstone step riser" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Marshalls kitchen garden Devon</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b03370840970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b03370840970c image-full img-responsive" title="Marshalls kitchen garden Devon" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b03370840970c-800wi" alt="Marshalls kitchen garden Devon" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Garden landscaping works Tiverton Devon</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201a3faab6c8f970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e201a3faab6c8f970b image-full img-responsive" title="Garden landscaping works Tiverton Devon" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201a3faab6c8f970b-800wi" alt="Garden landscaping works Tiverton Devon" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Tomorrows blog:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Bespoke woodwork in a landscaped Garden</strong></p></div>Aura Landscapes Win 8th Marshalls Award!https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/aura-landscapes-win-8th-marshalls-award2013-12-18T11:45:27.000Z2013-12-18T11:45:27.000ZMike Warmanhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AuraLandscapes<div><p>We are proud to announce our latest win at the Marshalls Regional Awards held in Southampton at the end of November. We were very happy to have won the 2013 award for 'Best use of a new Marshalls product' for a front garden installed using Marshalls Stoneface walling.<br/><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314174353?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314174353?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="534" class="align-full" height="400"/></a>The winning project:</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314179462?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314179462?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="543" class="align-full" height="407"/></a></p><p></p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314178800?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314178800?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="539" class="align-full" height="783"/></a></p></div>Marshalls raised black limestone planter preparationhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/marshalls-raised-black-limestone-planter-preparation2013-12-15T09:30:00.000Z2013-12-15T09:30:00.000ZJackson's Landscape Designhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/JacksonsLandscapeDesign<div><p style="text-align: center;">An insight to the daily life of a garden design and landscaping build up on a rear garden located in Cullompton, Exeter, Devon.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Day 17</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;">Coffee</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/composite-decking-main-framework" target="_self">View previous day here</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Marking out the raised planter</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d184e2970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d184e2970c image-full img-responsive" title="Marking out the raised planter" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d184e2970c-800wi" alt="Marking out the raised planter" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">For this particular garden design and landscaping project near Tiverton Devon, the design includes seven raised planters to the perimeter of the paving and reflection pond area. The raised planters are excatly the same size, so for acurracy, a wooden template is cut and screwed together. The thickness of the block and the black limestone with its exterior adhesive has been taken into account.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The wooden template has been marked at the centers and placed under the stringline to ensure the correct position, once correct the template is sprayed around the perimeter.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Raised planter footings</strong><br/><br/></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d28ada970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d28ada970d image-full img-responsive" title="Raised planters footings" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d28ada970d-800wi" alt="Raised planters footings" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">One member of the team removes the sub base material along the spray marks, stock piling the material for concrete use later.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Concrete footings for planters</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d19d19970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d19d19970c image-full img-responsive" title="Concrete footings for planter" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d19d19970c-800wi" alt="Concrete footings for planter" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">All seven raised planter footings are concreted with the stock pile sub base, the rotating laser level is used as guidance for all seven planter concrete levels.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Blockwork raised planter</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d2a325970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d2a325970d image-full img-responsive" title="Blockwork raised planter" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d2a325970d-800wi" alt="Blockwork raised planter" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The raised planters are constructed from a single course of 100mm block work to the desired size and shape, again a laser is used to ensure the finish level to all planters are the same, at a later date the exterior and interior of the block planters will be clad with Marshalls black limestone using Keraquick adhesive. The coping stones will have a slight over hang and mitred on each quoin.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Walkway mainframe for composite decking</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d2cd44970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d2cd44970d image-full img-responsive" title="Walkway mainframe for composite deck" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d2cd44970d-800wi" alt="Walkway mainframe for composite deck" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Landscaping works also continue to the mainframe of the composite decked walk way, note the small manhole chamber, this will be accounted for and an access point created once we deck the frame with the hidden screw system.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Laser guided timber cuts</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d2df47970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d2df47970d image-full img-responsive" title="Laser guided timber cuts" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d2df47970d-800wi" alt="Laser guided timber cuts" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Note that all cuts are by chop saw guided by laser, this ensures a clean cut at the desired angles for the different stages throughout the landscape build.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Rendered garden feature walls</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d26ceb970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d26ceb970b image-full img-responsive" title="Rendered garden feature walls" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b02d26ceb970b-800wi" alt="Rendered garden feature walls" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The top coat render wallings are completed, I will allow for the render to dry before two coats of graphite grey masonry paint, I plan to apply the paint before the Christmas break.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">Tomorrows blog:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Garden design and Landscaping, Tiverton, Devon</strong></p></div>Landscaping a reflection pond with overflow systemhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/landscaping-a-reflection-pond-with-overflow-system-12013-12-10T21:30:00.000Z2013-12-10T21:30:00.000ZJackson's Landscape Designhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/JacksonsLandscapeDesign<div><p style="text-align: center;">An insight to the daily life of a garden design and landscaping build up on a rear garden located in Cullompton, Exeter, Devon.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Day 14</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;">Coffee</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/garden-reflection-pond-and-overflow-system-build" target="_self">View previous day here</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>45 degree chamfer to pipe rocker</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b028aaea6970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b028aaea6970b image-full img-responsive" title="45 degree chamfer pipe rocker" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b028aaea6970b-800wi" alt="45 degree chamfer pipe rocker" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">From the manhole 600mm pipe rocker I installed into the rear garden manhole I clean and grease the rubber collar to a 100mm, 33 degree bend coulping sleeve and slide cleanly the sleeve over the pipe.</p><p style="text-align: center;">From the bend the appropriate length pipe work is install on sand to the appropriate falls to the base of the bespoke overflow system channel.</p><p style="text-align: center;">You see from above that all cut pipework for the landscaping pond overflow system must be chamfered with a file to 45 degrees, should a pipe be inserted into any collar with out the chamfer or grease the rubber is likely to fail on your pipe test and not hold the required air tight seal.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Benching works</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b028a388a970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b028a388a970c image-full img-responsive" title="Benching works" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b028a388a970c-800wi" alt="Benching works" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">On the concrete footings two parallel courses of brick work form my over flow channel from the slightly falling natural roofing slate reflection pond slot, I then bench the inside of the channel and allow to set for the day</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Marshalls reflection pond</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b028b39b9970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b028b39b9970d image-full img-responsive" title="Marshalls reflection pond" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b028b39b9970d-800wi" alt="Marshalls reflection pond" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The Marshalls landscaping garden refection pond is built from 225mm 7N concrete block to the required height of 70mm below FFL, finish floor level, allowing 50mm full mortar bed and 22mm Marshalls fairstone caramel cream paving unit. The pond has the scratch coat application.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Marshalls bullnose speaker ledge</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b028b45d7970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b028b45d7970d image-full img-responsive" title="Marshalls bullnose ledge" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b028b45d7970d-800wi" alt="Marshalls bullnose ledge" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Using the end caps to Marshalls fairstone bullnose steps I have created a simple, yet effective, garden walling ledge</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Reflection pond over flow</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b028a5323970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b028a5323970c image-full img-responsive" title="Reflection pond overflow system" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b028a5323970c-800wi" alt="Reflection pond overflow system" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The interior to the pond overflow channel is rubbed with a sponge to create a seal and smooth free flowing water channel, I will later install a durable cap</p><p style="text-align: center;">Tomorrows blog:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/render-plaster-top-coat-application?xg_source=activity" target="_blank">Render plaster top coat application</a></p></div>Garden Design and Landscaping Build Devonhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/garden-design-and-landscaping-build-devon2013-11-19T21:30:00.000Z2013-11-19T21:30:00.000ZJackson's Landscape Designhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/JacksonsLandscapeDesign<div><p style="text-align: center;">An insight to the daily life of a garden design and landscaping build up on a rear garden located in Cullompton, Exeter, Devon.</p><p style="text-align: center;">My name is Kerry Jackson, proprietor, principle garden designer and fully fledged hands on landscaper of Jackson's Landscape Design, Newton Abbot, Devon.</p><p style="text-align: center;">A warm welcome to you and many thanks for your time viewing my blog, I will do my uptmost to explain in detail how I undertake a contemporary garden build by means of photography, videos and in depth explanation.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I trust you may find this bespoke high quality landscaping project useful in some form and If I can assist you in any way I try my very best to accomodate your questions or landscaping requirements.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Day 1</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Before Image </strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b01581cb9970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b01581cb9970c" title="Rear garden Landscaping project Devon" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b01581cb9970c-500wi" alt="Rear garden Landscaping project Devon"/></a></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong> </strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The Brief</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;">Having been commissioned to design this rear garden near Exeter, Devon my brief was very clear.</p><p style="text-align: center;">" Kerry, we require the wow factor, combined with a chic, bespoke low maintainace outdoor living space, subtle lighting creating ambience which will create another visual aspect once the night draws in, bold formality with the planting and a garden that we can relax in with a glass of wine after a hard days business. "</p><p style="text-align: center;">The budget was set and with this brief at the forefront of my mind I commenced the garden design process.</p><p style="text-align: center;">After a couple of months of thought and drafting concept plans this 3D design, below, was approved with a signed contract, now the time has come to put vision into reality.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The 3D Garden Design</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b015853bf970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b015853bf970c image-full img-responsive" title="Garden Design Devon" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b015853bf970c-800wi" alt="Garden Design Devon" border="0"/></a><br/></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Landscape Design Exeter Devon</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b01594233970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b01594233970d" title="Landscape Design Exeter Devon" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b01594233970d-500wi" alt="Landscape Design Exeter Devon"/></a></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong> </strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Designed Garden Devon</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b01587645970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b01587645970c" title="Designed Garden Devon" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b01587645970c-500wi" alt="Designed Garden Devon"/></a></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Creating the vision</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;">With my van loaded with the appropriate tools the team and I head up the M5, once we arrive at the property, my first task is to issue work / apology notices to all surrounding neighbours, Ive always introduced myself as the first port of call should any problem arise, you'll be suprised with the amount of friendly waves and eventually other projects we recieve.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Common courtesy costs nothing but goes along way, but it remains in a potential prospects mind for years....</p><p style="text-align: center;">The micro 360 excavator is delivered on time and the team set about dismantleing a section of fence for access.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I'll put the kettle on, which is extremely rare, I'm one of these people that can't operate with out a coffee first thing in the morning.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Were in</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b015901e0970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b015901e0970b image-full img-responsive" title="Cat scan survey" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b015901e0970b-800wi" alt="Cat scan survey" border="0"/></a><br/></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;">The excavator may well be on the area to be landscaped and ready to start digging concrete footings, levelling the garden etc, however, I'm not as I'm completely blind as to what lies below the visual surface.</p><p style="text-align: center;">In order to gain some insight as to what lies blow the topsoil I always scan the entire area in both direstions with a cat scan cable detector, should any live cable be within the landscaping area I will detect them and mark each high detection point with a marker spray, with gentle sweeping motions I can build a mental image of the direction.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Any live cables will be hand dug, we will also dig by hand around gas and water utility services.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The garden is clear of any live cables and I'm happy to proceed.</p><p style="text-align: center;">With a ditching or grading bucket, the flat one with no teeth to you and I, I remove the stock pile of rubble from the area of the existing large rear wall towards the opening in the fence where the road lies and within reach for my later Hiab grab driver.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b01592c6e970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b01592c6e970b image-full img-responsive" title="Rubble clearance" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b01592c6e970b-800wi" alt="Rubble clearance" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The team remove the softwood decking</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b015933c4970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b015933c4970b image-full img-responsive" title="Softwood decking removed" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b015933c4970b-800wi" alt="Softwood decking removed" border="0"/></a></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong> </strong></p><p style="text-align: center;">You'll note the supporting pillar to the overhang, again I'm blind as to how this was installed by the clients builder.</p><p style="text-align: center;">In order to gain clarity we cut the decking around the support and remove all surface material, it's a good job that we do'nt tear the garden to pieces in our haste !!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Poor Groundworks</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b0158e1aa970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b0158e1aa970c image-full img-responsive" title="Poor groundworks" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b0158e1aa970c-800wi" alt="Poor groundworks" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The treated softwood decking supports the pillar, which in turn supports the overhanging roof, as this unforeseen, a work change order will be filled in with my proposals to rectify and all costings.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I will acro prop, on clean timbers, the soffit to support the roof once I start the main frame for the Saige composite black decking.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Datum Levels</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b0159da67970d-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b0159da67970d image-full img-responsive" title="Landscape Datum levels" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b0159da67970d-800wi" alt="Landscape Datum levels" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">A datum level is used via a yellow sprayed pin as my key point throughout the entire project, this pin will not be moved at all. For this particular landscaping project I am governed by three levels, the whole project will be built from the seamless transition from threshold to composite decking, to paving at the same level and a 150mm riser.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Even though the decking and paving finish floor levels, FFL, are the same, the area preparation levels differ, hence the reason for three datums levels.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Datum pin</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b01598bb4970b-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b01598bb4970b image-full img-responsive" title="Landscaping datum pin" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b01598bb4970b-800wi" alt="Landscaping datum pin" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Blue tape at surface, you can just see it with zoom, is the Saige composite decking dig level, allowing the depth of a 28mm composite deck board, 150mm deep joist and 50mm of air circulation below the joist.</p><p style="text-align: center;">White tape in the middle of the pin is the main paving level, allowing for 100mm consolidated scalping, 50mm full motar bed and 28mm Marshalls Fairstone paving.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The top blue tape is the datum level for the 150mm step riser, allowing for 100mm consolidated scalping, 50mm full mortar bed and 28mm Marshalls Fairstone paving.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Cutting the composite decking dig level</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b015945f0970c-popup"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2019b015945f0970c image-full img-responsive" title="Landscape excavation" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2019b015945f0970c-800wi" alt="Landscape excavation" border="0"/></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Using a 360 rotating lasor level I am able to work up to 300m from the lasor with a receiving eye and staff, the lasor glass must be kept dry other wise it will distort the lasor beam and I'd be wasting my time and money removing to much subsoil.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Every day the garden will be kept tidy once we have completed our goals.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Tomorrows blog:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/a-landscapers-garden-preparation-devon?xg_source=activity" target="_blank">A Landscapers garden preparation Devon</a></p></div>Designing very small gardens in central Londonhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/designing-very-small-gardens-in-central-london2013-11-18T00:30:00.000Z2013-11-18T00:30:00.000ZAmir Schlezingerhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AmirSchlezinger<div><p>Sometimes I get asked by a prospective client if I would work on their tiny bit of space. I would then recall some of the smallest creations such as a 2m x 2.3m courtyard in Kensington that I designed in 2010; or the 2 neighbouring balconies in Bloomsbury, 1m deep x 4m long…tiny light wells in Chelsea, or postage stamp roof gardens in Clapham. For me it’s all about realising the potential of the space no matter what the size or logistical constraints. Clients with very small outdoor spaces tend to be passionate about them and want to use them often. Working in these environments had taught me about personalising a space within a contemporary framework.</p><p>In contrast to large gardens where small detailing is important to give human scale, in small gardens large objects, shapes and plants slow the eye movement across the space and give it volume and scale. Some of the most successful small spaces I’ve created featured very large paving, tall architectural plants, bold colours, dramatic seating and sculpture. Attention to detail and refined finishes are paramount in a confined garden space as the eye scans every detail from close-up.</p><p>In this example a very large Georgian house on Chapel Street in Belgravia SW1 has only a small 30 sqm garden. I planted 3 Japanese maples alternating in a triangle to move the eye across with a huge water feature in the centre and giant Japanese temple bamboo either side of it. Depicted here, 5 years after planting they have reached 6 metre tall and give the space a real jungle feel. I thinned them out for the first time in 5 years to take these photographs and thus showed more of the ground cover ferns and other textures such as slate mulch and lighting.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314172430?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="675" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314172430?profile=original"/></a></p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314172839?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314172839?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a></p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314168627?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314168627?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a></p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mylandscapes.co.uk/chapel.htm" target="_blank"> </a></p></div>Report: How design is changing the way businesses operatehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/report-how-design-is-changing-the-way-businesses-operate2013-11-14T13:03:55.000Z2013-11-14T13:03:55.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p>Companies like BMW, Alessi and Apple use design to differentiate their products, but design is not just for luxury goods and elite products.</p>
<p>There is considerable evidence for it acting as a mechanism for business growth and innovation. But how do companies utilise design to innovate and boost their business performance?</p>
<p>In his report, <a href="http://sendgrid.info/wf/click?upn=J6qBPRVgziwoCR2OIJDNfQHrF9yh-2BrRUy6HqmQeTSF0zJgUjriricMZXlrMU0WIRrL0fXnMU-2BE-2FUeAOHfL9hOOdttFOKHAUo8DzFeGYhGcLFu-2BiCLfaZLckvTHNTG1FFlEdforY5EskAUqLbNpTrf7CnUu9fRFzgDgrGlJwvTKo-3D_EOpstEwxYPZNS7zFupvnSHKq2otlD5AsqXHC79v5Y3P59ip12kxA8Qg85QxwhzP23e4wLh8WQb9HMGLMeCSyfbIBFNOVyaVZB7aaIFbistZeaDx2S3TxkKRnfanJVtgAwONnFrCDwXBHoOcf1iymiakE-2BM-2F7DuehHq3MAvm0kDUGL2-2B5MF2vmBXfnc9G4cacsdp182-2BAuahj1lBpM1LLPOMPXx4EfTM16z3KpXKKtF0oTQ6ghuWNYV1uPF-2Bh7eDNhie-2F5TZUflPi15YnhdjkXsWpml-2FC5nYKDdChFXJ1KaIztCFE-2B5xTaUCSCrlzSv-2BjpPcf39a6XSiLI-2FlztxgTCg-3D-3D" target="_blank">Leading Business by Design</a>, which will form the basis of the <a href="http://sendgrid.info/wf/click?upn=J6qBPRVgziwoCR2OIJDNfQHrF9yh-2BrRUy6HqmQeTSF3sEWXsc3-2BWWzI1385BGCceZXk3IVkWWEe6QNWdgyhTozR-2FSeN6U7uSwtxYZEDf3muR7TnIoMHgx5wzUROPwSXO_EOpstEwxYPZNS7zFupvnSHKq2otlD5AsqXHC79v5Y3P59ip12kxA8Qg85QxwhzP23e4wLh8WQb9HMGLMeCSyfbIBFNOVyaVZB7aaIFbistZeaDx2S3TxkKRnfanJVtgAwONnFrCDwXBHoOcf1iymiakE-2BM-2F7DuehHq3MAvm0kDW1BROzHAxrU7nL-2BRYGglUbnU3hy2qyO7KkToaroesbLkNtrWTRerAlypCW-2B4F6njFzFtLk5vmeZ9wsapqEEP5Yav0TRXRiUsx-2FlQ9Fw54ht5dizZtgnjvQsA-2BZTRIMc2le-2FvkPa-2FFSI-2BrFK56FMnMz2MhKk1aPmnuNjRe8AEsqvg-3D-3D" target="_blank">Design Council Summit</a> at the <a href="http://sendgrid.info/wf/click?upn=J6qBPRVgziwoCR2OIJDNfa9eQ6jljlYlrdm0ORYk4JEg6SiAE0-2B8VFpvMvmh-2BegX_EOpstEwxYPZNS7zFupvnSHKq2otlD5AsqXHC79v5Y3P59ip12kxA8Qg85QxwhzP23e4wLh8WQb9HMGLMeCSyfbIBFNOVyaVZB7aaIFbistZeaDx2S3TxkKRnfanJVtgAwONnFrCDwXBHoOcf1iymiakE-2BM-2F7DuehHq3MAvm0kDUpPmzC9KYIX1E1S2RQY0wN1AVzVGtrFsKwS2goEOk60sO2aZlt94d0Fx012ByBFXPtECiy-2Fzc6CWGL7VQX0gTxQWLBTv9qGx-2FskqracaNkNN4gatveJjRNtdPoj7BBIggmvntnRz3gY4MZZsXtti0OOEKSAEhoSFq1XwDLabnHUQ-3D-3D" target="_blank">British Museum</a> on February 12, Pietro Micheli, Associate Professor of Organizational Performance at Warwick Business School, has identified key practices through which organisations in various industries are using design to attain maximum impact, and has made eight recommendations for companies looking to gain a competitive advantage through design.</p>
<p>Dr Micheli conducted 48 interviews with top management at 12 private companies ranging from Barclays, Diageo, Jaguar Land Rover, O2 and Virgin Atlantic to small firms like DCS Europe, Gripple and Trunki.</p>
<p>The report says business leaders cited sales growth, increases in market share, enhanced customer satisfaction, greater process efficiency and employee productivity as a result of investment in design. Also, design was used to open up uncontested markets, strengthening brands and differentiating products and services to attract new customers.</p>
<p>To reap the full benefit of design, though, Dr Micheli found a company needs to have it fully embedded in its organisation.</p>
<p>“Our analysis reveals that the impact of design is lowest when design is seen as a service – an organisational function that has a well-defined and limited scope. It is higher when designers are involved throughout the process of new product or service development from beginning to end,” said Dr Micheli.</p>
<p>“The impact of design is greatest when design and designers challenge existing assumptions and meanings of products, services, categories etc.  </p>
<p>“How does design become embedded in an organisation, part of its DNA? For all companies and particularly for SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), the initial answer is clear: the CEO and top management have to support and believe in it.</p>
<p>“We also found that design can benefit manufacturing and service-based organisations, small, medium or large. Plus, design’s benefit is greatest when it is intimately related to solving problems, especially customers’ problems.”</p>
<p>From his research Dr Micheli put together eight recommendations for companies looking to maximise the impact of design:</p>
<p>1.      Don’t limit the context in which design can operate</p>
<p>2.      Use design to differentiate</p>
<p>3.      Integrate design and branding</p>
<p>4.      Introduce a design process</p>
<p>5.      Trust and support your design talent</p>
<p>6.      Embed design in your organisational culture</p>
<p>7.      Design your work environment</p>
<p>8.      Don’t let the designer’s role be a straitjacket</p>
<p>Dr Micheli will present his report at the Design Council Summit in February alongside speakers David Willets, Minister for Universities and Science, Rob Brown, Head of Design at Barclays, Graham Hopkins, Executive VP Engineering & Technology, Rolls Royce, Molly Crockett, Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging and many more.</p>
</div>10 top private roof terraces in central Londonhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/10-top-private-roof-terraces-in-central-london2013-11-12T15:00:00.000Z2013-11-12T15:00:00.000ZAmir Schlezingerhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/AmirSchlezinger<div><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314166892?profile=original" target="_self">10-top-private-roof-terraces-in-central-London-Hepworth-Court.jpg</a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mylandscapes.co.uk/10-top-private-roof-terraces-in-central-London.htm" target="_blank">http://www.mylandscapes.co.uk/10-top-private-roof-terraces-in-central-London.htm</a></p><p>1. Hepworth Court</p><p>In the summer of 2008 4 of us set out to conquer this majestic, large, 360-degrees open roof terrace. The owner, Nick Johnson, had been generous with his time, ideas and budget and the results speak for themselves. Presented here, 5 years on, the terrace had stood the test of time, albeit with one or two causalities of ambitious plant attempts and has a new owner. I wanted to document the terrace again – in maturity, not just with one of the world’s greatest garden photographers Marianne Majures, but also to benefit from the completed surroundings of the whole development and the Battersea Power Station before the demolition of its chimneys for a 4-year renovation. It was the first time we used LED light strips embedded in the surfaces and this worked well as directional lighting – particularly with the orientation towards Chelsea Bridge, the landing airplanes towards Heathrow and the surrounding linear architecture. The main planting of trees proved they were, and still are, some of the best species to cope with ferocious wind, sun and pollution: Olive, Pine and Silver birch. Other than a simple surface and the slanted planters to contrast them, the views speak for themselves: Big Ben centred in the London Eye, the arch of Wembley Stadium, the Power Station and Pumping tower, Chelsea Bridge and the BT Tower. The terrace lies on top of the penthouse and is not seen from the living space. The balcony surrounding the lounge was therefore designed in a similar fashion so that it sets a rhythm and pattern to form a cohesive scheme.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314166892?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="470" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314166892?profile=original"/></a></p><p>2. Kings Chelsea</p><p>This 2004 terrace is situated right above Stamford Bridge Stadium in Chelsea. It is awkwardly shaped, north facing and benefits from no significant views. It does also absorb enough pollution and has no privacy… I lifted up all the existing square tiles and re-orientated them at my favourite angle of 40 degrees; this immediately injected a dynamic to such a triangular space. I removed only a handful of bands of it at regular intervals and replaced the stone with beautiful Derbyshire lilac sandstone flags, 90cm x 45cm. These large flags made the space breath, appear larger and gave it a finesse, which keyed it perfectly with the innovatively decorated Kelly Hoppen apartment. In the south facing long terrace on the other side I planted herbs, Lavenders and even a Lemon tree…</p><p>It brought me utter joy to revisit the space after 9 years with the photographer Clive Nichols as not only the clients still live there and appreciate the space (unlike so many others who made their resale profit and moved on), but also to see all the plants do so well. Some hard landscaping maintenance had been recently carried out to repair some of the large movable raised beds, where 3 large contorted Hazels look stately in winter. As lighting techniques improved so vastly in the near decade since installation we return to add components and re-create some features. The terrace’s focal point is a graceful sculpture created specially by Elliott Brotherton for Philippa and Joe, the clients.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314168561?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="470" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314168561?profile=original"/></a></p><p>3. Tempus Wharf</p><p>Situated near the Design Museum on Bermondsey Wall West, Tempus Wharf is a small residential building with all the conserved charm of an old wharf. The top penthouse benefits from a terrace both on the north facing side on the River Thames and a similarly sized one on the south outside the master bedroom. Connecting the two terraces is a long and narrow walkway. The landmark views on the north terrace, outside the living room, are spectacular as the building is equally situated between Tower Bridge to the west and Canary Wharf to the east. I wanted to create a completely new series of planters, each unique – each to correspond with the architecture in the view. One of the first requests from the client was to raise the level of the terrace to be able to appreciate the Thames better. I was able to create a split level deck and orientate half of it towards Canary Wharf at 40 degrees. I Chose European Oak for the deck to continue the interior Oak and incorporated 3 width planks in a random fashion. This is contrasted with a wave shape in a sandstone deck. The step is bridged by a steppes curved planter – part of a duo which mimics the shape of the Gherkin in the distance. A triangular planter in the far corner presents a multi-stem Scots pine in a cloud form, which frames the view to Canary Wharf.</p><p>In the south terrace I wanted to reiterate the presence of water by creating a series of 3 ‘Wave planters’. These are backlit with LED strips, as are most of the planters, deck fascia, sculpture and planting on the terraces. In this terrace we also needed privacy on the sides from emerging new apartment buildings so evergreen hedges of Magnolia and Californian Lilac were planted. The long connecting terrace was paved with angular sandstone, which changes into artificial grass half way through. Interestingly enough, this is one of the very few projects where I did not use Olive trees in any shape or form; it would have been somewhat too obvious and I could spot a few on neighbouring terraces. This was a bone of contention between the two very strong minded individuals driving this project – the client and me, interestingly both born on the same day, albeit 29 years apart… The solution was to crane up both an Olive and a Scots Pine – place each in the planter and make a decision in-situ. I suppose the photograph and the health of the Pine 6 years on (I am told) inform you of the winner this time round…</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314175574?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="470" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314175574?profile=original"/></a></p></div>Heatherwick plans to suspend '1000 tonnes of garden' over the River Thameshttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/heatherwick-plans-to-suspend-1000-tonnes-of-garden-over-the-river2013-11-01T13:37:16.000Z2013-11-01T13:37:16.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p>Thomas Heatherwick plans to suspend ‘1000 tonnes of garden’ over the River Thames in London, in his ambitious £150 million bridge proposal.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.designweek.co.uk/pictures/482xAny/P/web/s/p/a/garden-bridge-view-_660.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.designweek.co.uk/pictures/482xAny/P/web/s/p/a/garden-bridge-view-_660.jpg" class="align-center" /></a></p>
<p>Plans were initially mooted in June this year to create a garden-like pedestrian bridge linking Temple and the Southbank, designed by Heatherwick in conjunction with engineering company Arup.</p>
<p>The bridge looks to form a major new green space for the capital using shrubs, trees, plants, benches and ‘intimate walkways’, according to the Garden Bridge Trust, which will oversee the creation of the bridge.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.designweek.co.uk/news/heatherwick-plans-to-suspend-1000-tonnes-of-garden-over-the-river-thames/3037457.article" target="_blank">Read the full article on Design Week</a></p>
</div>Lime Orchard bucks recession says Judy Behlhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/lime-orchard-buck-recession-says-judy-behl2013-09-06T16:30:00.000Z2013-09-06T16:30:00.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314123007?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="150" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314123007?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="150" class="align-right" /></a>Lime Orchard the garden design and construction franchise business, has cut though recessionary times with a zing!</p>
<p>Judy Behl – managing director of Lime Orchard says “ Since we started trading in 2009, we have grown the business, profitably, year on year and at the same time we have invested in all the necessary legal and trading framework to develop the business as a national franchise network”.</p>
<p>Lime Orchard has concentrated on domestic design and build projects, mainly in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, but has also built a number of school gardens across the country and a large bespoke roof garden in London.</p>
<p>“The key to our success has been close liaison with our clients, during the design process and right through to the final sign off of the construction element of their project” Says Ian Dexter Design Director at Lime Orchard.</p>
<p>The Lime Orchard team are now looking to push the business forward with a suitable trading partner, or through a partial or full sale of the equity in the business.</p>
<p>The business has an excellent internet presence and the majority of client enquiries and projects have come through searching for the business online.</p>
<p>This is the second time Judy and her colleagues have developed a national franchise business. Their previous business Scenic Blue was sold to Marshalls PLC in 2007.</p>
<p>Website:<a href="http://www.limeorchard.co.uk/">www.limeorchard.co.uk</a></p>
</div>Tips on choosing a landscaper, garden designer or gardenerhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/tips-on-choosing-a-landscaper2013-06-19T07:02:15.000Z2013-06-19T07:02:15.000ZPhil Voicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/philvoice<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314682505?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Please note that this is a referral service only and Landscape Juice does NOT recommend its members - before entering into a transaction, please refer read the following carefully.</p>
<p>If you feel comfortable with a contractor and how they put themselves across, then you are at liberty to ask them further questions either via email or by telephone.</p>
<p>Don't feel rushed; the process is an important one and, let's face it, you are likely to be signing up to spend several hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds.</p>
<p>Here are a few Dos and Don'ts when choosing a garden contractor:</p>
<p><strong>Do write</strong> a brief before you have spoken to anyone. Having a clear idea of what you need to achieve is essential, especially as all traders should be given the same information. It’s fairer to them and important for you to be able to compare what they say on a like-for-like basis.</p>
<p><strong>Do spend</strong> time on research. Click through to contractors’ websites from their profile page on Landscape Juice Network and get a feel for their business. Look at their ''before and after” photos. Be sure that you are initially comfortable with the person or business that you decide to contact.</p>
<p><strong>Do compile</strong> a list of contractors in your locality and whittle it down until you are happy with your choice; three contractors is an ideal number. More than three and the whole process could become jumbled and complicated. Less than three and you will not have sufficient information with which to compare the estimates.</p>
<p><strong>Do write</strong> a specification based on your brief, or ask one contractor to write a specification as part of their service. You may have to pay for this service, so check before making a commitment. This specification should go to all the contractors.</p>
<p><strong>Do tell</strong> your contractor what you have to spend and don't try to play one contractor off against another or trick anyone into getting the price as low as possible. Look upon the transaction that you are about to undertake as an equal partnership and not as a “them and us” scenario. Ask a friend or family member to join you during the quotation process if you unsure about dealing with the contractor yourself.</p>
<p><strong>Do ask</strong> to talk to previous clients and, better still, try to visit their gardens, as this is the best way to vet a contractor’s work. Many landscape contractors develop a special bond with their clients and it is evident when a job has gone well and both parties are happy with the results. This is genuinely reflected in testimonials or at on-site meetings and cannot be faked.</p>
<p><strong>Do ask</strong> to see samples of materials. There are many types of materials with varying costs associated with them. A real York stone patio can cost substantially more than a imitation stone patio. Similarly, there are different grades of turf, and trees and shrubs can cost a little or a lot depending on the size you specify.</p>
<p><strong>Don't rush</strong> the process, or you may make costly errors. You should allow 2-4 months (sometimes longer, depending on the complexity of the project) from the time you provide a brief, through to receiving the design and the quote. That way, you will be able to make decisions at a pace that suits you and, more importantly, get the right results.</p>
<p>Clients will be looking for the best possible job at the best possible price, but, as previously stated, you are entering a partnership. Every contract should be mutually beneficial.</p>
<p>A landscaper, designer or gardener can be a very skilled person who may have spent many years studying and learning their trade through hard work and on-the-job experience. It is this experience and skill that you are paying for; do not, whatever else you do, expect to pay too little. Garden contractors deserve to be paid the right fee for their time and their skills.</p>
<p><strong>What does landscaping cost?</strong></p>
<p>Because of the vast potential for variation, it is not possible to define landscaping costs precisely. The right contractor will assist you by explaining where the money will be spent, and if you follow the above advice and consult a minimum of three contractors, you’ll find it easier to understand where costs are attributed.</p>
<p>Bear in mind that a larger contractor may have to charge you VAT on top of the price of the work. The contractor is not benefiting from this extra money as it has to be collected from you and sent on to HM Customs and Excise.</p>
<p><strong>Don't ask</strong> for cash discounts to avoid VAT and don't expect to be asked for cash. Keeping the transaction on an official level is a safeguard for you as cash payments and a lack of paperwork may make it difficult to enforce a warranty or guarantee. It also reflects poorly on the contractor if payments are made via a brown paper bag.</p>
<p><strong>Do expect</strong> a full set of paperwork from a contractor. You should receive a typed quotation (or estimate) that reflects your brief or specification. Supporting information should include a set of terms and conditions, a copy of the contractor’s insurance certificate, a code of conduct (for firms employing staff) a schedule of works so that you can understand how long the work will take.</p>
<p><strong>Glossary:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Quote or quotation.</strong> This is a fixed price and is binding by law. The cost may only vary if you ask the contractor to provide services or materials not included in the quotation. A quote is the safest option because there will be no extras to pay and any mistakes made during the pricing process will be the responsibility of the contractor.</p>
<p><strong>Estimates</strong> are supplied in certain circumstances where a project might not be clearly definable. If you agree to receive an estimate, be sure to understand where price variation might occur.</p>
</div>The Big Interview: garden designer Michèle Martin talks Chinesehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/the-big-interview-garden-designer-michele-martin-talks-chinese2013-06-07T14:30:00.000Z2013-06-07T14:30:00.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p><a class="asset-img-link" style="float: right;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201901d18d3ff970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e201901d18d3ff970b" style="width: 150px; margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px;" alt="Michele" title="Michele" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201901d18d3ff970b-150wi" /></a>Garden designer Michèle Martin spent twenty years in the corporate world before choosing to pursue her passion for gardens. Having earned an HND from Reaseheath College, Michèle went on to get an honours degree in Garden Design at Myerscough, Lancashire.</p>
<p><em>Image right: garden designer Michèle Martin</em></p>
<p>After winning a gold medal at Southport Flower Show she was able to get enough work to start her business.</p>
<p>Since then Michèle has done some amazing jobs in the industry, including BBC TV Chelsea flower show team 2010; BBC TV Adviser Chelsea Flower Show where she worked with Carol Klein & Chris Beardshaw; Regional Organiser for the Society of Garden Designers professional body; Gardening Guru for BBC Radio Merseyside on their weekly live phone in show.</p>
<p>Michèle is currently Executive for Southport Flower Show Gardens.</p>
<p>Michèle has an interest in traditional Chinese gardens and talks to Landscape Juice about her passion.</p>
<p><strong>Can you pinpoint the time and place when the spark for Chinese gardens was first ignited?</strong><br />
I was walking across Tatton Park on the way to visit the Japanese garden with Sam Youd the head gardener. During our conversation I asked Sam if he had been to Japan to see the gardens there. ‘Not as often as I could have’ came the reply. I asked him why and he told her when he first got this job he wanted to go to China first to see how the Japanese style had developed from its roots in China.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e20191030f71cf970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e20191030f71cf970c" style="width: 450px;" alt="Chinese" title="Chinese" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e20191030f71cf970c-450wi" /></a><br />
<em>Chinese inspired garden</em></p>
<p><strong>So that was the trigger for your interest in Chinese gardens?</strong><br />
Yes. I came away from that visit determined to find out more about Chinese gardens and two years later I devoted my final year project for my degree in garden design to discovering more about the mind games Chinese garden designers play on their clients.</p>
<p>I then used my new found knowledge by joining a group set up to restore Rivington Gardens (summer residence of Lord Leverhulme) and devised plans to restore their derelict Chinese gardens.</p>
<p><strong>Have you been to China to see any gardens?</strong><br />
Yes, following the Rivington project I went to China and visited many of the gardens recommended by Sam Youd.</p>
<p>I saw how the traditional scholar’s gardens attempts to mimic the vast acres of the emperor in much more modest spaces created lots of visual tricks to expand space.</p>
<p>First of these tricks is to make all visitors enter the garden via the house. Chinese houses always have a threshold and the more important the home owner the higher the threshold, the emperor has the highest of all, around a foot high. Those who've been rushing round out in the busy city traffic are confronted with a high step leading to a hallway kept deliberately dark.</p>
<p>The natural reaction is to stop while their eyes become accustomed to the gloom. In doing so they physically and mentally slow down and the result is the subsequent garden seems bigger than it would have because the visitor is no longer rushing around.</p>
<p>The next space expanding trick is to show the visitor a tiny courtyard. It’s a bit like a canapé before a banquet. Often just a small tree or a rock or a stand of bamboo this sets expectations and forces the visitor to notice small details, rather like setting your camera to macro mode.</p>
<p>From there you are led round the garden from one focal point to another. At each point there is another glimpse of something else that leads you on to a reveal. No path is straight and few are level and there are lots of choices “shall I go over the bridge or up the rockery?”.</p>
<p>Soon you've lost all sense of the outside world and become delightfully disorientated and totally immersed in the garden. You may cross over a previous path but because it looks different coming a different way you’re led to believe the garden goes on forever. Entering a traditional Chinese garden is like becoming a child on a secret mission to discover hidden treasures, waterfalls, seats or dragons running along the tops of walls.</p>
<p>We all know that dividing up spaces makes them appear larger but the Chinese have lots of deft ideas for adding interest to tempt you to stay a while and to prevent the space from feeling claustrophobic such as having roofs of buildings from adjoining courtyards visible over walls.</p>
<p>Chinese scholars would never waste a plot of land by just building on one corner of it and leaving the rest to use only when the weather is dry. Instead their homes and gardens are more integrated with the buildings strung out round the plot like a pearl necklace.</p>
<p>Chinese gardens are designed to be enjoyed in rain and snow in sunshine and moonlight and it was this and the last couple of years poor summers that propelled me to design my ‘Dirty Stop Out’s Garden at Tatton Park Flower show this year.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201901d195634970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e201901d195634970b" style="width: 450px;" alt="Dalton Grange terrace Before Outside Influence" title="Dalton Grange terrace Before Outside Influence" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201901d195634970b-450wi" /></a><br />
<em>Project at Dalton Cross before work began</em></p>
<p><strong>A bit more about you</strong><br />
<strong><br />
What are you and how do you define what you do?</strong><br />
I'm a garden designer – I create individually tailored gardens their owners love.</p>
<p><strong>How long have you been designing?</strong><br />
I designed my first garden for a client in 1999 but professionally for 8 years.</p>
<p><strong>What route have you taken to get to your current position (i.e. college; self-taught; mentoring?)</strong><br />
Initially self taught and doing evening classes in the RHS general certificate and the complete set of City & Guilds exams then went to college to do HND in Garden Design followed by Honours degree in Garden Design.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201901d19998b970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e201901d19998b970b" style="width: 450px;" alt="Dalton Grange by Outside Influence" title="Dalton Grange by Outside Influence" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201901d19998b970b-450wi" /></a><br />
<em>Project at Dalton Cross after completion</em></p>
<p><strong>How many designs do you do in a year and what is their average value?</strong><br />
Not as many as I’d like: My biggest job was 6 figures my smallest a few hundred pounds.</p>
<p><strong>Typically how long do you spend on each design?</strong><br />
I aim to get back to the client after we've agreed their wish list within a couple of weeks.</p>
<p><strong>What gives you most pride, designing the garden or seeing it built?</strong><br />
Neither – it’s seeing the clients’ enthusiasm for their garden. Just today I was in the middle of a tricky construction drawing when a message popped up on my computer saying one of my clients had sent me some photos of their garden which was built a year ago. How many jobs are there where clients contact you after a year to say how much they are enjoying your work?</p>
<p><strong>What irks you most about the garden design and landscaping industry?</strong><br />
The way it’s so undervalued by the general public from the prime minister to the builder’s labourer. I'm hoping for a public epiphany about our parks and gardens similar to the one about our architectural heritage which was being destroyed during the 60’s and 70’s.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e20192aad80af7970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e20192aad80af7970d" style="width: 450px;" alt="Wildlife friendly garden before Outside Influence" title="Wildlife friendly garden before Outside Influence" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e20192aad80af7970d-450wi" /></a><br />
<em>Wildlife garden project before</em></p>
<p><strong>Does the Chelsea Flower Show inspire you or is it unrealistic?</strong><br />
Both. It’s the best opportunity for showcasing the industry as it’s one of the few (only?) horticultural events that the general population and the powers that be, take note of.</p>
<p><strong>Do you design every day?</strong><br />
No</p>
<p><strong>What is your most creative time of the day?</strong><br />
3.00-4.00am</p>
<p><strong>How do you get inspired to produce unique drawings every time?</strong><br />
The clients. Every client is different and wants to use their garden in a different way and every site is different. I just respond to them and the creation creates itself.</p>
<p><strong>As a designer you have to be creative. Can you define creativity?</strong><br />
Making something new, sometimes unique sometimes a new twist on an old idea.</p>
<p><strong>Who is (or who are) your favourite designer(s)?</strong><br />
Edwin Lutyens, Bunny Guinness, Alain Provost, Ge Yuliang and the unnamed Chinese designers of the great classical gardens of the Ming and Qin dynasties.</p>
<p><strong>Contemporary or traditional...what's your preference?</strong><br />
Both – I love good design no matter what style.</p>
<p><strong>Do you listen to music (or watch the television) when designing?</strong><br />
Sometimes I play music or have radio 4 on in the background.</p>
<p><strong>Do you ever get designers' block?</strong><br />
Oh yes nearly every time I get a new design I think I’ll never square this circle, but usually after a couple of 3.00am with ‘I've got an idea’ it resolves itself.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201901d19a799970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e201901d19a799970b" style="width: 450px;" alt="Wildlife friendly garden after Outside Influence" title="Wildlife friendly garden after Outside Influence" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e201901d19a799970b-450wi" /></a><br />
<em>Wildlife garden after</em></p>
<p><strong>Do you consider you take risks when designing?</strong><br />
All the time – that’s what the job’s about – pushing new boundaries.</p>
<p><strong>Has a client ever said they don't like what you've designed for them?</strong><br />
Only once Actually they loved the design but wanted the garden to look full from day one so they ripped out all the plants and replaced them with totally inappropriate ones including a monkey puzzle planted 5 feet away from the patio doors; You win some....</p>
<p><strong>What makes a great garden designer?</strong><br />
One who listens to their client.</p>
<p><strong>Hand drawn or CAD?</strong><br />
CAD</p>
<p><strong>After a busy week, how do you unwind and relax?</strong><br />
Go to the theatre, watch a film, eat out with hubby or potter in my garden.</p>
<p><strong>Who (or what) in your life has given you the greatest inspiration?</strong><br />
John Brookes – it was his lecture that ignited my dream to become a garden designer as my next career.</p>
<p><strong>What would you like to do more of in the future?</strong><br />
Fruit gardens with trained fruit trees. Fun things to get kids of all ages (like me) outside and enjoying the great outdoors like wacky dens and tree houses.</p>
<p><strong>Can you offer any advice to other designers?</strong><br />
Network – it can be a lonely job and joining groups with others in a similar situation can help you keep grounded and sane. I made a lot of friends and mentors by joining the Society of Garden Designers.</p>
<p><strong>Would you recommend garden designing to someone considering it as a career?</strong><br />
No, it’s not easy to earn a decent living (bit like being an actor) but if you’re driven and want to do it you won’t need my encouragement.</p>
<p>...and finally - please provide a photo of your design studio or drawing area.</p>
<p><a class="asset-img-link" style="display: inline;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e20191030ef272970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e20191030ef272970c" style="width: 450px;" alt="MM in Outside Influence office" title="MM in Outside Influence office" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e20191030ef272970c-450wi" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profile/MicheleMartin">Michèle Martin's page on the Landscape Juice Network</a></p>
</div>Designs for Lowlands Recreation Ground revealedhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/designs-for-lowlands-recreation-ground-revealed2013-05-26T09:13:22.000Z2013-05-26T09:13:22.000ZLandscape Juicehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LandscapeJuice<div><p><a href="http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/resources/images/2466218.jpg?type=articleLandscape" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/resources/images/2466218.jpg?type=articleLandscape" class="align-center" /></a><br />
A performance staging area, café kiosk and major landscaping are just some of the features plans for a town centre park.</p>
<p>Harrow Borough Council has revealed the detailed designs of regeneration Lowlands Recreation Ground behind Harrow-on-the-Hill Station.</p>
<p>The plans include major landscaping of the park and a new performance stage and venue which will be used by community groups as well as seating, a café kiosk.</p>
<p>Plans are set to go before Harrow Council’s planning committee in July and work on the park is expected to begin in the Autumn this year.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/10443780.Designs_for_Lowlands_Recreation_Ground_revealed/" target="_blank">www.thisislocallondon.co.uk</a></p>
</div>Why Decking Is Growing In Popularityhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/why-decking-is-growing-in-popularity2013-05-17T08:30:00.000Z2013-05-17T08:30:00.000ZSwindon Deckinghttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/SwindonDecking<div><p>When the weather warms up, our thoughts turn to spending time outside. We begin to think of summer nights grilling steaks and enjoying time with family and friends. These times together are made so much more special when we have a nice outdoor space in which to gather and decks serve this purpose so well. Decks are relatively easy to build, add value to your home, and come in all shapes, sizes and colours today. These are a few of the reasons why decking is growing in popularity. </p><p>Another reason for outdoor decking’s increasing popularity is the variety of building materials available to choose from. In contrast the early decking choices of pine, cedar and oak, today a homeowner has a veritable <a rel="nofollow" href="http://swindonfencing.co.uk/" target="_blank">plethora of choices available</a>. There are composites which are a combination of wood and plastic fibers. These new technologies are available in many colors, thicknesses and grain patterns. Many of the higher quality composites are colored all the way through which helps to hide scratches and keeps the boards from fading and resists mold. These composites are also rot and insect resistant and also clean up with soap and water.</p><p>There are also really beautiful tropical hardwoods from South America, Africa, the Philippines, and Malaysia which are so dense they can’t be nailed without first drilling a pilot hole. These woods are also resistant to insects and rot and virtually maintenance free. All they need is a bit of scrubbing to clean them up, although they don’t stain very well because they are so dense. If they are left natural, they will eventually weather to a nice silver color. These woods are farm-grown and sustainable and must be certified through the Forest Stewardship Council so you know they were legally grown and harvested.</p><p>When it comes to decking, natural wood still reigns supreme. Wood decking material comes in three categories – pressure-treated, redwood and cedar, and tropical hardwoods. Most of these decking woods can be found in the local lumberyard, however some are still only available online.</p><p>Of the woods used for decking, by far the most popular is still pressure-treated decking. The majority of all decks – almost seventy-five percent – are built using this decking material. Virtually all of every deck’s under-structure frame including the beams, posts, and joists are made of pressure-treated lumber. This is because pressure-treated lumber is widely available and the most affordable of the decking materials. Most is cut from southern pine and is chemically treated to be decay resistant and to resist wood-boring bugs and fungus. The primary disadvantage of pressure-treated lumber is its tendency to split, well, crack and warp. A deck built with pressure-treated lumber requires annual routine maintenance including staining and power-washing.</p><p>Redwood and cedar are stronger and naturally resistant to weather, but still require they be power-washed or scrubbed annually and should be stained or clear-finished every three or four years. If this isn’t done, both cedar and redwood will weather to a silvery gray.</p><p>The reasons why <a rel="nofollow" href="http://swindondecking.co.uk/" target="_blank">decking in Swindon</a> (and through the world) is growing in popularity are many, but as an alternative to patios or plain sod lawns, decks provide a pleasant outdoor space to gather with family and friends. Add a hot tub or a great grill and a bar and you’ve got an outdoor party!</p></div>How do you explain your ideas to a potential client?https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/how-do-you-explain-your-ideas-to-a-potential-client2013-03-19T21:40:58.000Z2013-03-19T21:40:58.000ZMichael Nicksonhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/MichaelNickson286<div><p>Sketch or cad drawing?</p><p>When you go to do a quote for a potential client how do you present your ideas to them about the job at hand?</p><p>Do you sketch something out on paper and talk to the client right there and then?....or do you go away and hand draw something with a little bit more care & attention to post back to the client along with your quote?</p><p>Do you take the time to go back to the potential clients property with your drawing & quote to run through it properly with them?</p><p>Does it depend on the size of the job and the potential profit involved which determines how much extra effort you put in?</p><p>I spend my working day turning basic site sketches into professional cad drawings that help contractors turn quotes into real jobs. I therefore have a vested interest in this debate and would love all contractors to use cad drawings, but they are not always necessary. Some jobs don't require a professional cad drawing whereas others couldn't begin on site without one.</p><p>Cad drawings can help explain your ideas without having to spend hours and hours drawing up and colouring in your designs. Think of a cad drawing as a halfway house between a basic sketch and a full design.....except without the full design price tag!</p><p>Check out some of my drawings to see just what i mean and if you'd like to discuss them further feel free to comment on this discussion!</p><p>Sample cad drawings.....<br/> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314203681?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314203681?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center"/></a></p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314207254?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314207254?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center"/></a></p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314207342?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314207342?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center"/></a></p></div>Planting Design - Primrose Hill Londonhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/planting-design-primrose-hill-london2013-03-12T13:30:00.000Z2013-03-12T13:30:00.000ZClaire Pollardhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/ClairePollard<div><p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314201430?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314201430?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></span></p><p><span>Planting Design - Primrose Hill London 2012: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://ironbutterflydesign.co.uk" target="_blank">ironbutterflydesign.co.uk</a> </span></p><p><span>Looking forward to revisiting this North London garden.</span></p><p><span>Brief</span></p><p><span>The garden needed refreshing. Some of the planting had outgrown the space and had subsequently been removed. A design was required to work with the remaining planting of three beautiful feature silver birch and a bamboo hedge.</span></p><p>A neutral and restrained planting scheme was designed and installed to reflect the owners’ love of their property in Provence, and preference for contemporary design. A north facing aspect and climatic conditions had to be considered. The planting of standard olives, soft grasses, herbs and perennials alongside the more structural forms of topiary box balls complemented the existing hard landscape. </p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314201994?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314201994?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-left"/></a></p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314200095?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314200095?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-left"/></a></p></div>