Tag Archives: backyard

meditation-garden_lakeshore_2

The Benefits of Landscaping & Hardscaping

When people think “landscaping” they usually only consider plants, trees and bushes. But one important part of landscaping that often gets overlooked is hardscaping. Most people think hardscaping refers to big things like fire pits, paved surfaces, retaining walls, etc. While it definitely does include those things, hardscaping is really just any design element that isn’t living. Benches, walkways, and strategically placed rocks are all considered hardscaping. Incorporating hardscaping and landscaping into your design can add both functionality and beauty. Check out some of the specific benefits below. Correct grade problems and improve drainage An uneven lawn can create a lot of problems, from soil erosion to poor drainage and areas that are completely inaccessible. Adding a retaining wall can help prevent soil erosion and create a flat space for plants to grow. Incorporating a pathway or stairs can make the top or…

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outdoor living room with fireplace

Incorporating a Pergola in Your Landscape

Often when we visit our clients’ homes, we notice they are underutilizing their backyard. More specifically, many homeowners are only using the space directly surrounding their home. Whether they have a front porch, rear patio or outside kitchen, the space being occupied is generally the area under the home’s roof. While this is a nice way to spend time outdoors protected from the elements, the desire to get into the yard is shared by many. Defining the home’s style and considering the flow is of upmost importance when enhancing to your landscape. That’s where Exterior Designs comes in! We want to see our clients using every square inch of their yard, but doing so in style and with purpose. Checkout some of our latest pergola designs and the inspiration behind them. Pergolas Come in Many Styles No wonder the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) listed pergolas as…

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grass field lawn photo by Photo by Fauzan Saari

Is Artificial Turf Right for My Landscape?

Guest article by Ali Sanderson. Photo by Fauzan Saari on Unsplash. Why Faking the Lawn is Worth the Trouble New Orleans set a new record with a  temperature of 96 degrees in May 2018 according to the National Weather Service. Tending to your lawn in hot temperatures that come with humid warm air is not anywhere close to pleasant. However, people do spend several hours a week keeping their lawns immaculately manicured so that their grass is always greener than the other side. The reward  is people constantly pausing at front lawns just to take a look and some even bending to touch the grass. So it’s not hard to imagine why a “veteran natural lawn-maintainer” would look down on people who go the easy route with synthetic turf. Artificial grass is cheaper to maintain Artificial grass or synthetic grass is simply an outdoor carpet that looks…

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bee photo by Luke Schobert on Unsplash

Creating a Haven for Honey Bees in Your Garden

Guest article by Ali Sanderson. Photo by Luke Schobert on Unsplash. Planning and developing a beautiful garden is a very rewarding pastime. However, there is one aspect of a successful garden that many people overlook. That is the availability of pollinators. For those who hope to grow fruits or vegetables in their garden, having nearby pollinators, such as domesticated bees, is necessary for flowers to set fruit on plants. Thankfully, beekeeping has become an increasingly popular activity for people with gardens and yards of all sizes. You do not need to have several acres of apple orchard to keep bees. You just need a little planning to ensure you have adequate food resources available for your hive. Creating the Perfect Landscape New Orleans agriculture, plants, and wildflowers depend on pollination from bees. Thus, the fall season is the perfect time to plant and make your…

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backyard landscape

I heart New Orleans

It’s Valentine’s Day and I can’t help but to think of the love I have for New Orleans – our city is so diverse in its culture, music, food and even landscapes! We have traditional New Orleans courtyards that Exterior Designs has become somewhat of a local legend for designing. We also get a lot of requests for outdoor patios, kitchens and comfortable areas to entertain guests when grilling, boiling crawfish or crabs, or hosting a fish fry. More recently, we have been asked to design meditation gardens. That’s right, a place where residents can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and retreat to a relaxing, tranquil garden in their very own back yard. I think this trend is a result of our busy schedules – we’re running around town, working full-time, carting our children to after-school…

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butterfly garden

Landscaping Tip: Butterfly and Pollinator Garden

Often viewed as a symbol of resurrection and renewal, butterflies are a sure sign summer is on its way. In south Louisiana, we have approximately 55 species of indigenous butterflies, bumblebees, honeybees, ladybugs, as well as 12 species of hummingbirds. Pollinators are biotic agents, like bees, butterflies and certain birds, that move pollen from male to female parts of flowers. They are responsible for assisting over 80% of the world’s flowering plants and play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Without them, food would be very scarce! Why not build a garden to invite these important colorful pollinators to your yard? Size does not matter. Your garden can take up the entire yard or can be as small as a window box or few containers. The most important thing is to choose a mix of native annuals and perennials that…

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hardscape-flagstone

Carpentry Services

For years, Exterior Designs, Inc. has offered carpentry to complement our landscape services. We have a professional carpenter on staff that specializes in small interior and exterior projects. Exterior Designs offers a wide variety of new construction or remodeling services. We will work with you on drafting a plan that allows you to visualize the finished product. In addition to our carpentry services, we also offer handyman services to New Orleans and the surrounding area. Some of our services include: Cleaning dirt, dust and cobwebs from your porch or outdoor room Painting or staining  to refurbish existing wood work Removing fallen tree limbs and branches Building and staining or painting shutters Pretty much anything else you can think to relieve the stress of those tasks you simply don’t have the time or energy to think about! Creativity does not have…

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