Add RSS FeedPosted in Landscape and Pool Design - Orange County / LA by solenala September 14th, 2011
The homeowners felt that the outdoor space needed to be modified to better suit their family’s needs. The existing back yard was not conducive to them being able to lounge, with no area for the children to play. Watch as Mitch explains the design layout and the thought process behind the design.
Best Regards,
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
PH: 714-960-8955 | FAX: 714-960-8951
info@solenalandscape.com
Posted in Landscape and Pool Design - Orange County / LA by solenala September 7th, 2011
Watch as Mitch explains what goes on during the exciting first day of construction at new project. With a space for a large dining set by a custom fountain, to an elevated living/lounge area with a custom fireplace overlooking the pool and spa.. The design is going to be a Mediterranean style entertainers delight! Currently at the tail end of demolition and in the process of measuring out the plan onsite, to verify best use of space. A lot of times what looks great on paper doesn’t necessarily pan out the same way in real life. Always important to plot out what has been designed in the field to make sure the design is maximizing the space available.
Best Regards,
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
PH: 714-960-8955 | FAX: 714-960-8951
info@solenalandscape.com
Posted in Landscape and Pool Design - Orange County / LA by solenala August 12th, 2011
Browsing through the HGTV website I noticed that they have a Designer’s Portfolio section set up with some of our past projects and just wanted to share this info.
To view these project photos click here.
Best Regards,
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
PH: 714-960-8955 | FAX: 714-960-8951
info@solenalandscape.com
Posted in Landscape and Pool Design - Orange County / LA by solenala June 27th, 2011
I designed this “Asian Contemporary” themed pool & spa to compliment the updates of this mid-century style house in Huntington Harbor.
The ledgestone wall at the end of the pool serves two purposes; hiding the pool equipment and giving the patio a focal point. The trickling water down it’s face provides the space a serene sound and Zen feel.
Although I didn’t adhere to all of the principles of Feng Shui, the use of fire and water (and stone and wood) in the landscape allow the Chi to flow freely and make this small yard feel open and energized.
-Mitch
Best Regards,
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
PH: 714-960-8955 | FAX: 714-960-8951
info@solenalandscape.com
Posted in Landscape and Pool Design - Orange County / LA by solenala May 9th, 2011
The Truth About Shortcuts and Price Cuts in Landscape Projects.
You met with your landscape designer and went over your ‘wish list’, the theme of the landscape has been decided and the colors and materials of the project have been chosen. The designer comes up with a design that you love but upon reviewing the proposal you realize that the project is over the budget you had allotted…Where can you cut corners in your landscape project? Two places you definitely DO NOT want to cut corners is the quality of the materials and the quality of the workmanship.
While your choice of materials can affect your budget drastically, be sure that your contractor is purchasing the materials from reputable sources that carry only quality products. You can lower the overall cost of materials if needed with the help of a smart designer who can insure that you have all the elements you want while staying within your budget. While your budget is certainly a concern, you do not want to choose a landscape construction company that purchases its materials from big-box stores, but instead relies upon various supply houses, specializing in each product category, i.e., lighting, sprinklers, masonry, etc.
You can have a beautiful custom outdoor fireplace built and the material used to finish the fireplace will greatly affect the overall cost of that feature. For example, depending on what your budget is you can use either colored stucco or natural stone to finish the fireplace. That is what your designer should bring to the project – the knowledge and experience to recommend less expensive options on your choice of quality materials to make you happy yet remain within your budget and stay faithful to the theme and design of your landscape.
Another top priority is quality workmanship. Sure, you can go to your local big box store and find manual labor anxious to make a quick buck, but is that who you really want creating your backyard masterpiece? With nothing to measure it against, you as a homeowner wouldn’t know the difference between a skilled landscape craftsman and someone off the street corner who is there to simply earn a wage. If you want experienced, skilled labor…be ready to pay a premium…in the end you will be glad you did. This is one instance where you really do “get what you pay for”.
So how does a client tell apart a good or decent contractor from a bad one or an exceptional one? Keep in mind that quality of work and ethics is not always established by price nor is it determined by how they portray themselves. The best thing to do, as a client, is always complete your due diligence. Do your homework and see the projects, talk to clients and ask specific questions.
There are many places that a contractor can cut corners and a qualified and competent craftsman will be able to do this without sacrificing too much of the design. It could be in the type of stone that they used or any other materials used for the project. It could be in the size of the grout joints or having radius cuts. It could be in something that has a radius, it could be miter cuts in the corners. It could be in the plant material they used; the plant material could have terrible shape or not be up to size. All of these things, as minimal as they seem, can cause the garden to look second-rate and isn’t your goal to have a landscape that just shines??
While at times price will (and should) dictate your choices, you have to keep in mind what the long-term effects of your decisions are. There really are no “deals” when it comes to landscaping projects…as time goes on and your landscape ages, how will your choices hold up? With your sprinklers coming on each and every day, do you really want to go with a cheaper, inferior product, or one that will stand the test of time? Do you want to purchase inexpensive plants that will perish after a short period of time or hearty, healthy plants that will flourish year after year? You would want your grandchildren to be able to enjoy that tree you are planting right now, wouldn’t you?
Just try to remember that the end goal is to create a space that makes you happy and gives you years of enjoyment. Your landscape is an extension of your home. Invest in it wisely and you will enjoy the rewards while you live there and when it is time to sell.
Best Regards,
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
PH: 714-960-8955 | FAX: 714-960-8951
info@solenalandscape.com
Posted in Landscape and Pool Design - Orange County / LA by solenala January 18th, 2011
Exciting Day! Finished demolition and now starting to form the foundation of the project. Pouring concrete for front porch for a new project in LA County.
Check out the video.
Best Regards,
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
PH: 714-960-8955 | FAX: 714-960-8951
info@solenalandscape.com
Posted in Landscape and Pool Design - Orange County / LA by solenala September 23rd, 2010
The hardscape construction of our driveway is underway!
We demolished the old concrete driveway to make room for a new entry and drive that would incorporated pavers, colored concrete and a much more contemporary design. Flow and function were very important, but the aesthetics are the reason landscape designer Mitch Kalamian was brought in for this project.
Once Mitch laid out the design, the concrete bands were poured to frame the tumbled pavers that would make up the driveway. Then preparation for the pavers began by laying out road base and compacting it to give the paver driveway strength. We lay out a 1″-2″ layer of sand, screed that and then begin to lay the pavers. Because Mitch’s design called out for the use of a specific Belgard paver that had a random pattern, a lot of conversation and forethought went into it before one paver could be laid. Details, such as, proper spacing, where the edge cuts would likely be and what the pattern would look like are very important to the overall vibe of the project…if the pattern looks too repetitive it will ‘feel’ busy and distract from the beauty of the yard, if the end cuts are small slivers of a paver, the workmanship will look sloppy and there is a chance that the small pieces could shift or pop out. We constantly strive for perfection and the quality of our craftsmanship is our calling card.
Best Regards,
SOLENA LANDSCAPE CO.
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
PH: 714-960-8955 | FAX: 714-960-8951
info@solenalandscape.com
