Elements of Design2021-05-29T02:57:22+00:00

Elements of Design

Space is a precious commodity, limited or expansive, it makes sense to enjoy every inch or acre you have. Using outside space, a window ledge, deck, courtyard or field is a pleasant way of extending the boundaries of your home.

For many, the word “garden” conjures up images of grass and flower borders, soil, mulches, and tedious yard work. When presented with open space, we all too often cram in all the traditional elements of a garden without identifying lifestyle, home style, or maintenance requirements. All sorts of design elements and techniques can be combined to produce an appealing effect; planting, water, sculpture, lighting, and more.

The key to realizing the potential of your garden or landscape, in both visual and practical terms, is design – this entails thinking about and treating your space in a way that suits your life, as well as the character of your home and its surroundings. We’ve devised this list of elements that we have successfully used in our designs that assist us in creating a space that is inviting, welcoming and reflects the style of living of its residents.

Browse by Elements of Design

Arbors, Treillage & Gates

Entrances are important as first impressions and are usually designed with a style in mind. Arbors, treillage (latticework, especially a trellis for a vine) and gates…

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slope in Brookline

Color in the Garden

Color, like sound and smell, has the power to strengthen the design and evoke a mood. Pastel colors are calming, and bright vivid colors can be stimulating and invigorating…

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Container Gardens

Containers are an invaluable component for decorating and adding to the style of your outside space. They can make a strong statement with shape and color…

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Decks & Fences

A deck makes the transition from inside to outside and its design should accommodate the homeowners’ lifestyle. Extra wide steps can provide additional seating…

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Foundation Plantings

At one time foundation plantings were mainly used to hide the bases of older houses. Terrascapes believes foundation plantings should emphasize and brighten your home…

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Garden Art & Sculpture

A garden needs a feature to elevate its importance visually. Design elements of water, seating, and structures can help, but when a garden is void of all of these, you need to be more inventive…

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Lighting

Outdoor lighting will maximize the pleasure you get from your garden. It is essential in places where darkness falls early and the heat of the day makes outdoor dining a necessity…

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Material Combinations

Many effective designs are the result of smart material choices and how they are combined and shaped. Mixing natural materials of a similar shade and contrasting textures…

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Patios & Courtyards

Patios and courtyards are expressions of your lifestyle. Decide how the space will be used to determine its size. Enclosures may influence and restrict the shape…

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Plants

The plethora of plants available can make selecting those that suit both the location and style of your space seem a daunting prospect. Planting design is about…

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Railings

Structure in a garden or landscape can be one of the most exciting things. It can be the main focus of interest or it can work together with plantings to create a perfect balance…

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Hydrangea hedge along a lawn

Screens

Screens are design solutions consisting of two types. Architectural solutions include manufactured panels and lattice, attached structures or mini-sheds…

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Seasons

From early spring to late fall, plants can create a spectacular display of blooming color! Bulbs, perennials, and annuals can transform any landscape or hardscape into a panorama…

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Site Furniture

Furniture should be an integral part of a whole design or at least part of the planning process. While designing any site we ask lots of lifestyle questions…

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slope in Brookline

Slopes

Drainage is always the number one consideration when living on a hill. All design solutions need to include draining water away from important structures or fixtures…

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Transition Spaces

Establishing harmonious links between areas of the landscape is a challenge that landscape designers embrace. Interlocking spaces of the garden with adjoining garden rooms…

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Vegetable Gardens

Terrascapes prefers kitchen gardens that become landscape features; not to be hidden in the corner of the backyard, but a central feature of an ornamental, all-season landscape…

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Walls

Stone walls can be designed with aesthetic value as well as practical. Freestanding walls can lend a natural background for a mixed perennial border…

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Walks and Paths

Laying a four foot wide walkway from the parking area to the front door, a stepping-stone path through a bit of woodland is more of a long term commitment to your house and garden…

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Water Features

Water in the garden has the rare capacity to introduce an aura of tranquility into the garden. Whether in the form of a water basin, formal or informal pools…

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Schedule a Site Visit

We welcome your questions, concerns, and ideas for your yard. Together we can create your perfect outdoor space. Contact us to schedule an initial site visit for residential landscape design or fine gardening needs.

CALL TODAY

Schedule a Site Visit

We welcome your questions, concerns, and ideas for your yard. Together we can create your perfect outdoor space. Contact us to schedule an initial site visit for residential landscape design or fine gardening needs.

CONTACT US
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