Outdoor Living Spaces

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Archive for the ‘Outdoor Living Spaces’ Category

Adding Some “Sizzle” With Fireplaces and Fire Pits to Light Up Your Night

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

Does the thought of seeing dancing flames and hearing a fire “sizzle” on a cool night or day warm you up? You can build fires in your backyard in the spring, fall, and winter, and yes even on a cool summer night.

You can add an outdoor fireplace to an exterior wall of your house or place one on the patio. Or you can build a fire pit. You can take the chill off on a spring or fall night and welcome people to your home on a winter night by adding a fire element.

Our MN designers and landscape architects have a lot of experience in designing fireplaces and fire pits with many options. We can check on any local regulations to determine if there are any use restrictions where you live, such as clearance requirements of an open flame from combustible surfaces and structures.

We can build you a fireplace or fire pit from brick or natural stone that either uses wood or gas. A freestanding fire pit built above the ground serves as an informal gathering place with seating even when it’s not “fired up”. You can add a cover so when it’s not in use it functions as a table for entertaining. Or best yet add some “sizzle” to a night and invite family and friends over for marshmallows and s’mores. Or you can build it flush with your patio so you can cover it with a lid once the fire is out. Adding cooking grates for barbecuing is another plus.

Whatever your choice fireplaces and fire pits offer another focal point for your yard year around. They’ll increase the pleasure you’ll find in your yard and add to the value of your property. Welcome nightfall to your yard with a little “sizzle” contact us on 952-292-7710.

Tags: backyard garden minnesota, fire pits minneapolis, fireplaces, Minneapolis Garden Design, outdoor fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, outdoor living
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Fire Pit Next To The Pool In Minnesota

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

Imagine a fire pit build right next to the pool. Not one that requires wood and produces ash, but a gas fed fire that burns clean with the flip of a switch. What better way to spend a cool summer evening in your Minnesota home. Reserved for the lucky few years ago, gas burning fire pits have become more popular with the advances in technology, that make outdoor living that much more convenient and affordable. Some things to consider when installing an outdoor fire pit should include the following;

How many people would you like it to accommodate? 1-4 is typical, as this will encourage simple, intimate conversations that create trust and safety. 5 or more people will require 360 degrees of campfire style pleasure for anyone coming or going.
What mood are you trying to create? Cozy and romantic, or a loud family gathering.
Is there a particular view that you want to capitalize on? If you do, then build a pit that is close to the ground, so you can take advantage of it. If not, then feel free to build in an elevated fire pit that will bring the fire up a bit, so the heat will radiate across the center of your body. A hearth, mantle or even a small pizza oven are also favorites in situations like this.
Will this space be impacted by wind? If so, then make sure you have a screen built in. Wind can carry ash and embers for miles, so make sure you are taking this consideration seriously. If wind is not a concern, maybe consider a water source in case your flames get a little too high.
Does smoke bother you? If it does, then opt for a gas burning fire pit. These are very popular these days, and very safe even for youngsters. Gas burning pits are beautiful, clean, efficient, and still provide all the warmth and beauty you would expect from any fire place.

Make sure you talk with an experienced landscaper who knows how to consider all the options. With Minneapolis’ Architectural Landscape Design you will be getting years of design installation experience, as well as the educated knowledge of licensed horticulturalists. If you are going to invest in your home this year, make sure you are working with professionals that can handle everything involved. 952-292-7717

Tags: fire pits and pools, fire pits minneapolis, Outdoor Living Space Minneapolis
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Patios A Hundred Different Ways

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

It used to be that a patio was a grey concrete slab with some folding metal chairs. Obviously, those days are gone! Today, there are hundreds of ways to design patios and countless materials to choose from to create a patio. You can use brick, concrete, brick pavers, cobblestones, stamped concrete, natural stone, marble, tile, and the list goes on.

How is the best way to choose what will work with your house, fences, driveway, and paths and fit in your neighborhood? Our landscape designers and architect can help you design the right patio or patios for your space. They’ll help you narrow down the choices of materials to one or a combination of materials that complements your yard’s design. Another benefit is they know the natural stones quarried in this area that is another option to consider.

The shape, style and placement of the patio you choose is very personal. It has to do with what your expected uses are of that space. A patio is typically no more than a well-drained area that is somewhere to sit and play. But when you add on your personal expectations it takes it to the next level.

You may like the look and feel of the very basic rectangular patio. That is always a good option for a small garden space. But geometric combinations of circles and rectangular spaces together are very dynamic. They can be used very effectively to create separate patio outdoor living rooms. We can easily design those to be on different levels to increase the visual interest of your yard also.

Another option is to consider adding built-in furniture. It’s a great time and space saver when you don’t have to take the time and plan at the end of each season how and where to store garden furniture. We can build stone bench seats and stone-slab coffee and dining tables that are available for year around use, summer dining and winter prep areas for cross country skiing. Call our MN landscape company today on 952-292-7717.

Tags: backyard garden minnesota, garden design, hardscapes, landscape design, Minneapolis Garden Design, minneapolis landscaper, minneapolis patios
Posted in Designing Minnesota Gardens, Hardscapes Minnesota, Landscape Design Minnesota, Minneapolis Landscaping, Outdoor Living Spaces, Patio Decks | No Comments »

Night lighting: Light your Yard for the Pleasure of Increased Outdoor Entertaining and Family Time

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

A light above the door and a post lantern in the front yard with a floodlight in the back yard used define outdoor lighting. Now there is no limit to the types of lighting for yards. The best systems for lighting your house at night provide three things: safety, security, and ambiance or mood.

Take an inventory with these three requirements in mind. Our MN landscape designers and architects at Alternative Landscape Design can offer advice and show you how they have incorporated night lighting plans in multiple landscapes.

Safety is critical, look at both your hardscapes and yard. Whether you are entertaining or just stepping outside you need to be able to see well enough to avoid injuries. Start by walking from the street up to your front entry, walk around to the back of the yard. Try any stairs; look for blind spots, any uneven or broken walkways. Is there any place on your landscape where someone could run into an object or possibly due to the drop offs take a tumble? We can light up stairs, retaining walls, fences, patios, decks,and sidewalks by installing low-voltage fixtures such as path lights, or riser lights. This type of lighting also directs traffic keeping people in lit places increases safety.

A well lit yard discourages burglars and intruders increasing security. We can help install lighting that is well shielded so it doesn’t disturb your neighbors or you.

Mood lighting through up-lighting, down-lighting, and side-lighting can add a magical relaxing feel to your yard. It also increases the time you’re able to use your backyard and makes it safer.

Install points of light that provide security and safe passage in your yard while protecting the mood. If you are interested in night lighting don’t hesitate to call us today on 952-292-7717.

Tags: backyard garden minnesota, decks, fences, garden design, landscape design, minneapolis patios, outdoor lighting, Outdoor Lighting Contractor Minneapolis
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Cooking Outdoors: Outdoor Summer Kitchens Delight All!

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

Everybody loves food cooked outdoors, it tastes better! You can make a space in your backyard for cooking that’s efficient and makes cooking and entertaining outside a real pleasure!

It’s like buying a house; it’s location, location, and location. When planning an outdoor kitchen you get to pick the perfect location for you. Locating grills and workstations out of the traffic patterns and access routes to your house makes a big difference. You also get a chance to determine where you want the smoke to go, instead of into having to shut the windows to your house when grilling!

An outdoor kitchen can be as big and expansive as you want it or it can be right-sized for you. You can build a summer kitchen with outdoor cook tops, ovens, refrigerators, ice machines, bread baking ovens, fireplaces, fire pits, outdoor lighting, etc. There are endless options. Our landscape designers and architects delight in helping people plan their vision of an outdoor kitchen.

We can build patios, decks, gazebos, arbors, and pergolas to accompany your kitchen. The best outdoor kitchens have plenty of weatherproof storage as well as enough counter space to prepare and serve meals. Arranging your outside kitchen is a lot like arranging one indoors. If your family and friends like to cook together you may need some extra countertops to accommodate everyone cooking together outdoors. In addition, to weatherproof storage, we can help you look at the different options for weather resistant countertops like marble, concrete, metal or tile. We’ll also plan if you want it to build your countertop big enough to have a 15-inch plus overhang so you can use it for a buffet or a bar also. Working to insure there is the necessary gas and electric lines and that all zoning requirements are met is another benefit.

Your outdoor kitchen will become a favorite outside dining room, let our Minneapolis, St. Paul landscape design team help you call 952-292-7717 today

Tags: decks, fire pits minneapolis, gazebos, landscape design, landscape designer, outdoor dining, outdoor fireplaces, outdoor kitchen, outdoor lighting, Outdoor Lighting Contractor Minneapolis, Outdoor Living Space Minneapolis, outside dining room, patios, St Paul Landscaping Company
Posted in Designing Minnesota Gardens, Fire Places and Fire Pits, Landscape Design Minnesota, Minneapolis Landscaping, Minnesota Garden Plantings, Outdoor Lighting Minneapolis MN, Outdoor Living Spaces | No Comments »

Borrow Scenery Beyond Your Boundaries: Plan Now To Make Small Yards Appear Larger

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

A small space doesn’t need to have the feeling of being confined even though obvious boundaries can make a space appear restricted. We can help by building fences, retaining stone walls, and plantings with imagination that do both the job of defining your space or yard and expand it. You can obscure boundaries and give a larger feel by several methods. Simple masses of green in your landscape plan can easily blur the distinction between your garden and the neighboring properties when your carefully crafted plan includes the right trees, shrubs, or vines.

If you have boundaries that are really obvious, like all the lots on your street are the same size or the houses are a variation of the same style, you can obscure the boundaries by implying that more lies beyond. You might want to construct a stone walk or pathway that disappears around the bend by a corner of the garden. The path might actually be ending just out of your line of sight behind the shrubbery, but the feeling that it still seems to lead to some part of the garden won’t immediately be seen.

Borrowing scenery is another way our landscape designers at Architectural Landscape Design can expand the borders of your Minnesota garden visually. We’ll use the attractive structures or plantings of your neighbors next door or the views in the distance, and incorporate it in your landscaping plans. If there is a grove of trees or a rolling hillside, we’ll frame that with plantings so it becomes part of your yard and extends the view. If there is a majestic tree that promises beautiful fall color year after year, we’ll maybe plan to plant smaller trees in front of it so that the entire planting appears to be in your garden.

If you are interested in expanding your boundaries call our Minneapolis landscape design group today on 952-292-7712 today!

Tags: backyard garden minnesota, fences, fire pits minneapolis, minnesota landscaper, retaining walls, Stone Walks Minneapolis, stone walls
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Plan for Color in the Garden Now: Color It Warm or Cool!

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

Your choices of color will determine whether your garden feels warm or cool. Thinking of your small garden as an outdoor living room that needs to be painted is extremely helpful. You can do this exercise anytime whether it’s Minnesota landscaping in winter, spring, fall or summer. The question is, “How do you want the space to feel?” The use of warm or cool colors in a small garden are critical, they can open it up or make it feel confined.

Cool colors—those centered on green, blue, and violet-tend to retreat visually, giving the impression of greater space. While warm colors— those that are clustered around yellow, orange, and red—come towards you, making the space seem smaller.

Choosing colors is something that our landscape designers at Architectural Landscape Design in MN excel in. We choose whatever you like and design it to meet your needs. Because at the end of the day it’s all about what you want and like.

Cool colors are usually the most effective in small gardens-but no need to be limited to them. You may want to use contrasting colors—violet and yellow are good, or any other colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. If you decide to use warm and cool colors together, plan on four to five times as much of the cool color to balance the warm. Why? Because warm colors jump out at you, they demand attention.

Deciding on whether your outside garden room with color will be warm or cool can be a lot of fun, contact our Mpls and St. Paul landscape design group to help you design it. We’ll consider your trees and shrubbery to be the “trim” to your outside room, call us on 952-292-7717.

Tags: backyard garden minnesota, garden design, landscape design, landscape designer, landscapers minnesota, outdoor living, Outdoor Living Space Minneapolis, small garden design
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Landscaping in Minnesota With Your Grandkids in Mind

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

If you are a grandparent, then you know the joys of having your grandkids come by and spend a few days with grandma and grandpa. There are ways to modify your outdoor living space in order to make it more kid friendly, so that you and mom won’t have to worry if little Johnny is safe and sound while playing outside.

While building fences and gates are not always practical or desirable, a tree line will do a lot to help grandkids remember the limits of their imagination. Tree lines are just a row of plantings that act as a visual barrier and provide some measure of protection form people coming in or out.

If you enjoy spending timeout door with your grandkids, then consider designing a new patio that has a build in game. Paving the ground with different colored stones is a fun way to play a form of ‘Twister’, or hop-scotch while still maintaining your aesthetic décor.

Out door kitchens and fireplaces are another great way to make the most of your visits, and with these items, you will be able to enjoy their use whether the kids are there or not.

There is no need to move to a better location when you can design your outdoor spaces to be practical and functional at the same time. These kinds of investments, while fairly substantial, will also raise the value of your home, and give you years of pleasure in between now and the time you decide to sell; if that day ever comes.

Preparing a place for grandkids, as well as your own kids, can provide some of the happiest times in your life, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Using the experience and expertise of professionals like those found at Minneapolis’ Architectural Landscape Design will help give you some ideas about how you can improve your family gatherings and create memories for the next generation. Give us a call to learn more about we help get these things done for you. 952-292-7717

Tags: backyard garden minnesota, garden design
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Excavating in Minneapolis is More Than Just Clearing the Land

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

When you are in the building and landscaping business like we are, you learn very quickly that excavating the property and securing the foundation is one of the most important jobs there is. Excavation is way more than just clearing a lot and pushing dirt around until it looks good. Proper excavating will build an underground world that will allow the world above ground to function to your expectation, without any floods, cracks, or failures.

A good excavator will dig trenches and install materials that will allow water to be managed properly, so that all this hard work is not washed away 10-20 years down the road. It will also provide keenly placed conduits that will allow electricity to be placed above ground, even in remote parts of your property. Most importantly, good excavating will render a solid foundation so that your building will not settle and start to come apart way before its time. For this reason alone, it is worth the time and energy it takes to find and use a great excavating company.

When debris and water are on a lot, they need special attention to make sure the final lot is truly ready to build on. These 2 things in particular have very dynamic properties in that water will drain away, and debris will decompose, leaving sink holes on the property that weren’t there before the work began. Only companies that work with the before, during and after stages of development will truly appreciate all hard the work that needs to go into this part of the development. At Architectural Landscape Design, we deal with all the stages involved in producing a perfectly sound structure. One of the advantages is the work you do with us will be all our responsibility, so you can be sure it will be done right; right from the start.

If you would like to learn more, give us a call at. 952-292-7717, we are here for you.

Tags: drainage, excavation and grading, garden design
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Free Admission: Apple Valley Chamber Home &Garden Expo ~March 31, 9 am-3 pm

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Come and talk to us about your landscaping dreams at the Apple Valley Home & Garden Show! It’s easy to attend because there is FREE parking and admission. In addition, there are things for children to do as they are featuring Minnesota Zoo animals and free children’s arts and crafts.

ALD is a featured landscape design exhibitor at the show that covers the latest in home, garden, landscaping, remodeling and much more! It’s a great time to plan any landscaping or garden project you have in mind. We are a multi-speciality landscape company. Our licensed and educated landscape designers and architects will be happy to discuss any ideas, dreams or needs that you may have. We offer a full range of offerings that includes: pools and spas, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits, landscape design and installation, low voltage lighting, waterscaping, outdoor living spaces and kitchens, unique garden plantings, children’s recreation areas, landscape design and installation, low voltage lighting, custom boulder/stone work, holiday lighting installation services, and excavation.

We involve our clients in the entire process and project. But the degree you want to be involved is left up to you. We will listen to what you want and create a plan on your specific needs. Our landscape designers and architects work meticulously to create efficient, exceptional landscape work. All of our landscape team members are educated and licensed. Whether your landscape project is small or large we’re interested. We can offer you the very best combination of nature, science and art.

Ask about the Ten Star Guarantee we offer; it is unprecedented in the landscape industry. We’re known as Minnesota landscape design and installation contractor that provides unique plans and a superior experience to our customer. Call us 952-292-7717 today! We bring your dreams to life!

The Expo is being held at:

Apple Valley Western Service Center

14955 Galaxie Avenue

Apple Valley, MN 55124

Tags: fire pits and pools, garden design, holiday lighting, landscape design, landscape designer, Minneapolis pools and spas, minnesota landscaper, Minnesota Water Landscapes, Outdoor Living Space Minneapolis, patios, replacing sidewalks and driveways minneapolis, retaining walls, St Paul Landscaping Company
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