arlington_ma_side_x_side.gif

Landscape Articles

Anne Marie DiMatteo


Patio Materials- The Cost of Bluestone Patios

Anne Marie DiMatteo | 15 July, 2015 | Hardscape

This is part 2 of the Patio Material blog series- Understanding the Cost of Bluestone Patios.

What do Landscape Maintenance Services do?

Anyone who has installed an impressive landscape of any size knows how much work it can be to keep it up properly. The fact of the matter is that few of us have enough time to get the work done and then have time to enjoy it with family and friends. Landscape maintenance involves much more than simply mowing the lawn on Saturday morning. To compound the situation, anyone migrating from a chemical to organic program will have a steep learning curve. Luckily, professional landscape maintenance services are available to come to the rescue. So, what services are available?

4 Do's and Don'ts for a Successful Backyard Landscape Design

A great backyard landscape design makes all the difference in how you and your family enjoy your outdoorspaces.

Massachusetts has some of the best summer weather in the country, and you want to make sure you get the most out of everything.

When you're planning your design, you want to make sure it works well for your lifestyle, your family's needs, and looks great.

Everything You Need To Know About Residential Landscape Design

What Do You Want In An Outdoor Space?

There are a myriad of options available to homeowners when it comes to residential landscape design. This is great, but it can be difficult to find the one that suits your needs. You may have an idea of what you want, but run into difficulties finding a company that can get the job done. You may find yourself having to hire multiple companies for hardscape installation, planting and maintenance. 

While you may love the idea of a do-it-yourself yard, you may not have the hours to pour into planning and executing your vision. This is where a residential landscape design expert can help. Design can make the difference between a yard that is nice and a yard that is breathtaking.

Six Advantages of Custom Landscaping Services

Anne Marie DiMatteo | 25 February, 2015 | Landscape Design

Landscaping can be broadly defined as the changes you make to the land around your home in order to make it more aesthetically pleasing. It covers everything from the plants that you choose to the extra structures that you can fit in your garden. Landscaping helps you create usable spaces for any outdoor activities you want to engage in and can create a safe and secure outdoor space for the entire family.

There are plenty of options for what you can do with the space around your house. You can create a perfect balance between plants and man-made structures, or create a sustainable area that feels more like a wilderness than a sculpted garden. Some people want to have plenty of indoor amenities, and outdoor dining rooms and kitchens are becoming more and more popular. Some people want water features that contain exotic fish, while others want natural fencing grown out of plants.

Choosing what sort of landscape design you want is the first step to creating a space that suits your needs and will keep you happy for years to come.

Personalized Landscape Design Customer Success Story

Anne Marie DiMatteo | 29 December, 2014 | Landscape Design

Each client we work with presents new challenges and unique experiences. Our mission remains the same: create inspirational and harmonious landscapes by infusing the client's practical needs and aesthetic desires within the existing nature of the landscape.

This is the story of one client's personalized landscape design. British homeowners wanted a formal feel in their front and backyard and they hired Moodscapes, which has more of natural style of landscape. Working together we were able to integrate a structure landscape that was elegant but also had warmth with a natural flare to it.

5 Benefits of Using Moss in Your Garden and Lawn

When it comes to relaxing in an environment that you find peaceful and inviting, few places can hold a candle to being on your own property and in your own home. Even if you travel to exotic locations and have seen fantastic gardens and yards, your own yard and your own land can give you a sense of satisfaction and completion you can't get anywhere else. And, if you're the outdoors type, one feature you can use to add softness and vibrancy to your landscaping is to take advantage of moss.

What makes an elegant backyard?

An elegant, well-landscaped backyard is a joy to behold when looking out your kitchen or living room window; however, if you are like most homeowners, you want your backyard to serve many purposes. When landscaped properly, your yard should function as a retreat that appeals to many senses – a visual palette of color and movement, a soothing place to relax, and a setting for fun with friends and family.

With the help of a professional landscaping company, you can design an outdoor haven that multi-tasks to meet the needs of you and your family. To create an elegant backyard, keep the following tips in mind:

Tip #1: Get your green on.

Green doesn’t have to mean spacious acres of immaculate lawns. Many homeowners are embracing environmental trends, including landscape design. Whether you are dreaming of a zen-like private garden area to meditate, or an inspirational yoga-friendly space, going green in your yard supports your values.

Consider incorporating environmentally focused elements such as:

4 Reasons Why You Should Leave Your Patio Remodel to the Professionals

Anne Marie DiMatteo | 6 October, 2014 | Hardscape

When you need to give your patio a makeover, you might be tempted to do it yourself. After all, you can save a lot of money on labor if you do not have to pay a professional. But, when you want a beautiful patio that will stand the test of time, you need to seriously consider how hiring a professional makes the process easier for you.

You must have the skills to build a good foundation for the patio, grade it properly, choose the right material and ensure solid work. In the long run, an expert will give you the best investment. Here's four reasons why you should leave your patio remodel to the professionals:

Professional Landscape Design vs Do It Yourself

Anne Marie DiMatteo | 4 September, 2014 | Landscape Design

Many people think that they can replace the work of a professional without a lot of effort. Sometimes, this is true. But, in other cases, you are almost always better off hiring someone who can do the job right the first time. When you want professional landscape design, there really is no easy way to skimp on costs or services. If you treat your property like the treasure it is, and arrange for professional landscaping design and maintenance, your land will be beautiful and useful for many years to come.

5 Benefits of a Landscape Design Plan

Tackling landscaping of your New England property is a daunting prospect. With the help of our qualified, experienced and professional landscape designers, you unlock the full potential of your lot. A great landscape design plan utilizes every positive aspect of your property, which increases curb appeal and your ability to enjoy the outdoors for its beauty and exterior living capabilities.

3 Elements of Effective Woodland Gardens

Gardens can be time-consuming and difficult to manage, especially if you have a large plot of land at your disposal. One of the trends that is becoming more popular with people who have large trees or unused wooded areas in their yard is to start up a woodland garden, which has the benefit of being more natural and less manicured than more traditional gardens.

3 Different Ways to Customize Your Patio

Anne Marie DiMatteo | 5 July, 2014 | Hardscape

Learn about 3 of the most common customizable characteristics of patios while deciding what you are looking for in your yard. Professional landscape designers are trained professionals to help you get the most out of your space and money, but it is important for you to understand how they can custom design a patio for your home.

Customized Garden Design with Edible Garden Plants

Home owners are more aware of the beauty and ecological benefits of an edible garden, and some are hiring professionals solely for their help with adding a variety of edible trees, shrubs, and perennials to their landscape. Edible gardens can be used to perform many functions in the landscape while achieving design and practical goals. For example, to reduce erosion and out-compete weeds, creeping herbs can be used as ground covers.

Common Misconceptions About Edible Gardens

Many people think to have an edible garden (a garden with fruit and vegetable plants), it has to be in a large, fenced in section of their backyard. This is not only false, but far from the truth.

Personal Landscape Design and Installation- Needham, MA

Job description: Moodscapes designed and installed plantings for the front of the house, including the beautiful ornamental tree on the left. We also installed a 330 sq ft bluestone patio in the backyard with a granite step from the back doors, which also included new plantings. The project consisted of demolition work done in the back in order to remove a small deck and steps, as well as running two downspouts to a dry well. We helped coordinate and hire an irrigation contractor to install drip irrigation for the new plantings.
 


Throughout the design process and even during the installation, our team worked closely with the homeowners regarding plant and color decisions. The clients requested a few changes to plantings throughout and asked for certain colors of the natural cleft bluestone be removed. We hand picked the bluestone pieces to match the exact color preference of the homeowners. This job is a great example of how we customize everything to the homeowners desire. It is important to have a personal landscape designed and installed to be one that you will love to look at and be in for as long as you live in that home.

Customized Bluestone Patio for Outdoor Living

An unspoken rule of thumb for living in New England, is that, when it is nice outside, you stay outside.

Woodland garden design in Newton, Massachusetts

Last summer homeowners in Newton, Massachusetts were connected to the city sewer system which left their backyard looking like the picture to the left, a complete mess. They wanted a redesign of their entire backyard with new plantings, some type of hardscape for entertainment space, as well as a swing for leisure and relaxation. The property is surrounded by many trees making the backyard a natural woodland setting with privacy.

Front entrance landscape design- one year later..

Above is a picture of a natural field stone walkway and front garden bed our team installed last year. Plants, trees, and shrubs are growing well together and the field stone walkway adds an element of elegance and simplicity to the front yard design. To view this yard last year, read, Natural Field Stone Walkway.

Front yard landscape design in Framingham, MA

Anne Marie DiMatteo | 21 September, 2013 | Front Entryways
The Moodscapes team designed and installed this front yard landscape design last year. The beautiful shrubs, perennials, and trees are in full bloom with various colors and texture throughout the front garden beds. The new landscape design has enhanced the curb appeal of this beautiful home, while maintaining a very natural and elegant look.

Water features for landscape design focal point

Professional landscape designers often use water features as a focal points for the landscape design. Above is an example of a water feature surrounded by plants and pea stone pebbles to emphasis the calming affect of the water fountain.

Paver Walkway into Private Winchester Massachusetts Backyard


A personalized landscape design in Winchester Massachusetts to lead guests into their new backyard. Our team customized a wooden arbor to lead the way along a paver walkway and along side the newly planted perennials and shrubs. The plants were selected to enhance the walkway during all seasons with various bloom times, colors, and textures.

Front Yard Landscape Design for Curb Appeal

Front yard landscape design done last summer by our team. We designed and installed the three garden beds in photo above. Our client wanted to enhance her curb appeal while maintaining a neat and orderly look to the garden beds. We achieved this look by adding color and textures that compliment and work well next to each other. Small trees to introduced to add some height to the front garden beds without taking over the shrubs and ground covers.

Privacy Landscape Design in Jamaica Plain, MA

Clients in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts presented us with a very challenging situation in their back/ side yard.

Front Yard Garden Design

This is a photo from a design and installation job we did last summer of their beautiful front yard garden design in full bloom! The colors and textures all work so nicely next to each other and compliment the style of the house and neighborhood as a whole. The stand out purple perennials are Salvia and will bloom from about June to September. The two corners have trees which add height to the garden and compliment each other with the deep red/purple colors. The Heuchera Coral Bell ground covers are slow-growing perennials that will continue to get larger and add texture as well as pick up the red color from the trees. Some of the shrubs have not yet bloomed and will do so later in the summer to add late summer and early fall color to the garden bed.

Search

  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Subscribe to Email Updates

Recent Posts

10 Common Gardening Mistakes that Hurt the Environment
8 Essential Elements of a Spectacular Outdoor Living Space

Popular Posts