Landscape Articles | Hardscape

Zach Rubin | February, 2025

The Top Durable Hardscaping Materials for Massachusetts Winters

When you’re building a new hardscape, there undoubtedly will be many different factors you’ll be considering as you choose your materials — style, budget and availability are sure to be among them.

patio with fireplace ideas

Zach Rubin | January, 2025

How to Make Your Patio with Fireplace the Ultimate Entertainment Zone

There’s something undeniably captivating about gathering around an outdoor fireplace. It’s not just a warm and comforting retreat, but a centerpiece of your patio design that transforms it into a year-round destination.

Zach Rubin | January, 2025

What's the Right Type of Retaining Wall for You? A Homeowner's Guide

Retaining walls are the multitaskers of the home landscape. They can hold back soil, prevent soil erosion and add needed structure — all while boosting your landscape’s beauty and curb appeal.

finding the right type of fire pit for your backyard

Zach Rubin | January, 2025

Finding the Right Type of Fire Pit for Your Yard

There’s just something special about an outdoor fire pit. Installing one in your backyard instantly elevates it into a year-round cozy retreat or favorite gathering spot for family and friends.

Zach Rubin | January, 2025

Why Winter Is an Excellent Time for Designing a Landscape Plan

When you’re in the middle of the freezing temperatures, biting winds and piling snow of a New England winter, spring landscaping may seem very far away. However, the winter months are actually an optimal time to begin ...

striking winter landscaping ideas

Zach Rubin | December, 2024

Striking Winter Landscaping Ideas That Catch the Eye Even in Cold Weather

When winter arrives and blankets everything in frost and snow, it’s easy to think of your garden as going dormant. But who says your yard has to hibernate all season? With a little creativity and our landscaping ...

Zach Rubin | November, 2024

Building a Backyard Patio 101: Questions to Ask and Real-World Inspiration

Picture this: The sun is setting, casting a warm glow over your perfectly styled backyard patio. You're lounging in a comfy chair, a cold drink in hand, surrounded by friends and family in a beautiful outdoor living ...

Zach Rubin | October, 2024

7 Must-Do Landscape Tasks to Add to Your Fall Yard Cleanup Checklist

Fall is firmly upon us, which means you may have already completed some essential landscape tasks, such as storing your garden hose, cleaning out your gutters and winterizing yourirrigation systems. However, there’s ...

Zach Rubin | October, 2024

Building a Hardscape in the Fall: 6 Reasons It's the Ideal Season

With frosty mornings quickly approaching, you may be wrapping up a lot of your lawn and garden chores. After the garden cleanup that accompanies late summer, many of us are ready to hang up lawn care for the year.

Zach Rubin | August, 2024

A Complete Backyard Makeover in Medford

We completed a backyard installation in Medford, where the client requested an edit to beautify the yard, as well as fix up the back of the driveway. They desired to make a safer and more aesthetically-pleasing landing ...

Zach Rubin | July, 2024

Patio Landscaping Ideas to Boost the Visual Appeal of Your Outdoor Space

Completing the design and installation of hardscape materials for your outdoor patio is only the first step in creating the perfect outdoor living space. Whether your patio includes a seating area, dining space, fire ...

Zach Rubin | June, 2024

Creative Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas to Simplify Your Life

This time of year, many of us drag out our hoses and sprinklers in an effort to keep our lawns lush and inviting, only to find ourselves mowing down the fresh growth a few days later.

Zach Rubin | May, 2024

How to Design and Build the Perfect Outdoor Entertainment Area

One of the many satisfying ways of utilizing your outdoor space is by entertaining your family, friends, and neighbors. Hosting gatherings in the fresh air of the garden that you care for throughout the seasons can be ...

designing a landscape retaining wall? everything you need to know

Zach Rubin | April, 2024

Designing a Landscape Retaining Wall? Everything You Need to Know

Regardless of your overall home landscape, a well-constructed retaining wall is a design idea that can take your yard from nice but not noteworthy to one bursting with curb appeal.

Zach Rubin | March, 2024

The Top Eco-Friendly Materials for Your Home Hardscape

Whether you’re installing a new patio, building your dream outdoor kitchen, transforming a driveway, or adding a firepit, there are a lot of factors that come into play when working on the hardscape design within your ...

Zach Rubin | March, 2024

Outdoor Stairways: A Must-Read for Building a Comfortable Home Entryway

High-quality outdoor stairways can add both functionality and a touch of elegance to your landscape design. Stairs may be needed to provide access to and from a deck or patio space, or when there is a difference in ...

Zach Rubin | March, 2024

Grass Alternatives: How Hardscape Can Reduce Your Lawn and Increase Your Enjoyment

With a large lawn comes a huge amount of upkeep. Between mowing, weeding, fertilizing and other lawn care chores, you can spend hours each week caring for a large swathe of grass. A huge grassy area may seem ...

how much does hardscaping cost? important factors for your hardscape budget

Zach Rubin | March, 2024

How Much Does Hardscaping Cost? Important Factors for Your Hardscape Budget

Thinking about undertaking a hardscape project at your home? Adding features such as a walkway, retaining wall, outdoor kitchen, fire pit or shade-providing structure like a gazebo or pergola is an exciting undertaking. ...

Zach Rubin | February, 2024

What Is Hardscape? How to Add Hardscape to Your Home Landscape Design

Creating a solid landscape design for your yard requires more than just laying down sod and putting in new plantings. To achieve a well-designed, cohesive space, it is important to incorporate hardscaping elements ...

how to improve your home's wow factor with hardscape landscaping

Zach Rubin | February, 2024

How to Improve Your Home's Wow Factor with Hardscape Landscaping

A key benefit of adding hardscape to your home is improving the functionality of your outdoor space. Yes, hardscaping projects often add spaces for lounging near an outdoor fireplace or outdoor dining next to an outdoor ...

Zach Rubin | February, 2024

Outdoor Kitchens: The Expert Guide to Adding One to Your Home Landscape

Hosting backyard cookouts is one of the premier perks of suburban living. Whether it's a large gathering for a special occasion, or just showing off your latest fancy burger recipe to a few friends, it can be a great ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | January, 2024

7 Advantages of Custom Landscaping Services

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 ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2023

Great Ideas for an Efficient and Welcoming Outdoor Kitchen

Hosting backyard cookouts is one of the premier perks of suburban living. Whether it's a large gathering for a special occasion, or just showing off your latest fancy burger recipe to a few friends, it can be a great ...

Yard Landscaping Ideas

Judith Lipson- Rubin | March, 2022

Yard Landscaping Ideas to Enhance Your Summer Enjoyment

The pandemic has forced many homeowners to spend a lot more time at home, contemplating their property and thinking of ways to improve it to add both value and enjoyment. For some their yards have become a refuge from ...

hardscape patio landscaping

Judith Lipson- Rubin | June, 2019

5 Super Easy Ways to Fix a Bad Home Builder Landscape Job

A skilled builder can add features like decks, hardscaping, and other attractive structures that make your home better both aesthetically and functionally. Ideally, you want your home’s construction features to ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | May, 2018

4 Things to Know Before Your Next Hardscaping Project

When looking to achieve a balanced, peaceful yard, remember that hardscaping is just as important as natural features. These man-made components, such as walkways, patios, and divider walls, are an important part of the ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2017

Clever Ways to Use Stone in Your Landscape Project

Stones are a beautiful addition to any garden — they evoke a feeling of permanence and strength. By uniquely arranging rocks and boulders in your landscaping, you can enjoy not only the aesthetic benefits but also the ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2017

5 Fun and Creative Ways to Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

The front of your house is the first thing that people see. What does yours say about you? Creating a warm entryway makes your house feel welcoming and gives a great first impression. A home with great curb appeal isn’t ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2017

8 Questions to Ask About Backyard Landscape Designs

If you’re in the process of landscaping your property, you may not be sure where to start. You know hardscapes can add value to your home — but maybe you’re struggling to figure out exactly what features to include. ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2016

Patio Materials- Price of Pea Gravel Patios

More information on Patio Materials! The least expensive patio material to buy and install is pea gravel, also know as pea stone.

Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2016

Patio Materials- How Much Does a Paver Patio Cost?

PATIO MATERIALS- concrete PAVERS!

Anne Marie DiMatteo | July, 2015

Patio Materials- The Cost of Bluestone Patios

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

Anne Marie DiMatteo | October, 2014

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

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 ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | July, 2014

3 Different Ways to Customize Your Patio

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 ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | December, 2013

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 ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | December, 2013

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.

Anne Marie DiMatteo | October, 2013

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 ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | August, 2013

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 ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | May, 2013

Customized Patio Designs

A new trend is starting with homeowners in Eastern Massachusetts- circular patios. Homeowners are looking for custom patio designs that give them space for a table and chairs and lawn play space. The solution ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | April, 2013

Side Yard Natural Field Stone Walkway

Create an elegant and easy to follow path in your side side by choosing a natural field stone walkway. Flat field stone is the most natural looking stone and when installed correctly, can become a smooth surface to ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | March, 2013

Small Backyard Sitting Area in Winchester Massachusetts

A small backyard sitting area for the entire family to enjoy!

Anne Marie DiMatteo | February, 2013

Winchester Massachusetts Personal Landscape Design & Install

We were approached by a family in Winchester Massachusetts to design and install a new front and back yard that encompassed three very specific needs. The family wanted to use their yard to entertain family and friends, ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | December, 2012

Front Walkway with Pavers in Massachusetts

Watertown residents wanted to enhance the front of their home with a walkway that would invites friends and family into their beautiful home. In collaboration with the homeowners, Moodscapes designed a paver walkway ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | July, 2012

Natural Field Stone Walkway

Field stone walkways create a natural, elegant, and easy to follow front yard entrance way. Flat field stone is the most natural looking stone and when installed correctly, can become a smooth surface to follow along. ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | April, 2012

How to Extend Entertainment Space Outside

For many homeowners here in the Northeast, having enough space for entertaining guests can be a bit challenging. A good cost-effective alternative to full-scale home additions or remodeling is creatively extending your ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | April, 2012

FAQs About How to Install a Paver Patio

If you're looking to install a paver patio in your backyard, the process is limited only by your imagination. Once you've decided what kind of pavers you want to incorporate in your patio design, it simply becomes a ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | March, 2012

How To Design Your Backyard- What's the Best Patio Size?

A patio is an investment not only in the value and outdoor appeal of a home, but also an investment in the quality of life for the homeowners that live there. A quality outdoor patio material and of the right size ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | February, 2012

Patio Materials- How Much Do Fieldstone Patios Cost?

Part 3 of Patio Materials: FIELDSTONE- How much does a fieldstone patio cost?

Anne Marie DiMatteo | February, 2012

Patio Materials- What is the Cost of a Brick Patio?

Welcome to our 2nd blog series on Choosing Paving Materials- Understanding How Much Patio Materials Cost.

Anne Marie DiMatteo | May, 2011

How To Choose The Right Patio Material?

Choosing the right type of patio material is the hardest part of designing or redesigning a patio. Here is a quick summary of the most commonly used material for patio design and installation. Outdoor Patio Materials ...