Showing posts with label a. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a. Show all posts
Friday, March 7, 2014
A Good Landscape Design Idea

A good landscape design idea
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Designing a Family Courtyard

Ive given a few options to a friend/client of mine who is looking for ideas in the renovation of this beautiful old house. Aside from the obvious need to revitalize the house, the family that stay in the house need an area where they can entertain and spend time with friends and family.
The existing layout of the courtyard is messy, and has several levels, all of which make it less used than it could be.
The existing layout of the courtyard is messy, and has several levels, all of which make it less used than it could be.

The first step is to raise the courtyard level, to bring it level with the house. This along with enlarging the doorways, will make the transition between the inside and outside easier.
The area was also quite exposed to the neighbouring property, and the road, and therefore creating privacy was essential.
The area was also quite exposed to the neighbouring property, and the road, and therefore creating privacy was essential.

In the first option, the water feature was a little too large, so it was scaled down, and a built in seat was added instead. A gas braai/bbq was added to the North wall. The necessary privacy would be created from strategic planting in the garden.

The urn water feature, creates a perfect focal point from the path, and from inside the house and is a simple, elegant, but cost effective way of creating the soothing sound of water. It can be easily made child-safe, by filling the reservoir with pebbles or covering with a grid.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Taking a Break from Fire Pits Lets Talk Hilarious Websites Instead
So we here at Warming Trends are constantly searching the web for the latest in fire pit and outdoor burning system technology. And to be quite honest, sometimes that can grow old. So today, we are going to deviate from bring you the latest in fire pit news, by bringing you Warming Trends Top 5 Most Hilarious Websites (in our opinion of course).
In no particular order, here are five hilarious websites that you should check out when you have some time to kill:
1) ClientsFromHell.net - As a person who has done a ton, and I mean a ton, of contract web design and brand management for small businesses, this site is one of my personal favorites, because well, sometimes your clients are complete pains in the asses who think they know everything, what they want, etc., but in reality they have no idea what they are talking about. Below is an excerpt from ClientsFromHell.net:

Client: I need you to reformat this so that it matches our new marketing and logo redesign.
Me: Okay. Can you send the new logo and some samples of your new marketing?
Client: Oh, we’re still deciding on that internally. Can’t you just take a few guesses in the meantime?
2) TextsFromLastNight.com - Now, this is NOT SAFE FOR WORK, so let that be known first and foremost. Drunken texting can be almost as bad as drunken driving (obviously the latter is MUCH worse, and dont do it), but after reading texts from last night, you can see that alcohol and texting sometimes lead to nothing but loss of self respect, dignity and a lot of explaining to do. Here are a few examples:

(540): "He gave me a card that said "Im so glad we found each other... In the pants" and a pat on the head... My walk of Shame wasnt so bad."
(541): "She has puke on the back of her shirt not quite sure how the hell she did that."
(205): "Even completely stoned shes amazing on the piano. There are like 7 people sitting on the ground listening to her like shes the messiah."
(and those are the PG-Rated ones.....check out the site for more R and X rated texts from last night.....)
3) HappyPlace.com - This is a site that is an aggregate of stuff from all over the world and the internet. From funny street signs, to hilarious Facebook wall postings, to Twitter tweets, to my favorite so far, Unintentionally Inappropriate Test Responses from Young Children. These responses are hilarious because kids are innocent and dont understand adult humor, but after leafing through a few of these test responses, I guarantee you will be laughing your ass off. And again, a few of these arent safe for the work environment, so be careful who may be peeking over your shoulder. Here is an example that IS safe for work, but you should be able to get the idea:

4) DamnYouAutoCorrect.com - In this day and age of smart phone, that "convenient" autocorrect feature can make us look not so smart if we arent careful and double-checking our texting action. And with the advent of screengrabs on phones as well, these mistaken texts can be captured, posted and shared with the world. So next time you get ready to hit send on your phone, Id be a good idea to double-check your spelling. Again, PG examples listed below, but much more fun to be had at the site itself:

5) Fark.com - And for the news buffs out there who love the whacky and weird, this site should tempt your taste buds. Fark is also an aggregate from around the globe, but these are news stories that seem to be fake, but are actually true. From interesting, to sappy, to amusing, to scary, to dumbass, Fark.com categorizes each news story so that you can easily sift through countless strange news headlines and stories from around the globe. And just when you thought
the world couldnt get any weirder, it does. Here are a few headline examples:

"Jilted lover discovers new use for plastic pink flamingo. No not that kind of use, were talking more along the lines of a battering ram. With pics"
"Man is riding his bike across the country for suicide awareness. Vows to finish the trek or kill himself trying"
"Leading researcher says magic mushrooms could treat depression, details results of study involving seven pink unicorns, two rainbow colored Andean mountain goats and a really long chat with Jim Morrisons ghost"
Ok, thats all we here at Warming Trends have for today. A break from reality is needed every now and then. So sit back, relax and enjoy, because youve got some time to kill, and weve just given you enough to fill up at least half of that time...
Enjoy :)
Read More..
In no particular order, here are five hilarious websites that you should check out when you have some time to kill:
1) ClientsFromHell.net - As a person who has done a ton, and I mean a ton, of contract web design and brand management for small businesses, this site is one of my personal favorites, because well, sometimes your clients are complete pains in the asses who think they know everything, what they want, etc., but in reality they have no idea what they are talking about. Below is an excerpt from ClientsFromHell.net:
Client: I need you to reformat this so that it matches our new marketing and logo redesign.
Me: Okay. Can you send the new logo and some samples of your new marketing?
Client: Oh, we’re still deciding on that internally. Can’t you just take a few guesses in the meantime?
2) TextsFromLastNight.com - Now, this is NOT SAFE FOR WORK, so let that be known first and foremost. Drunken texting can be almost as bad as drunken driving (obviously the latter is MUCH worse, and dont do it), but after reading texts from last night, you can see that alcohol and texting sometimes lead to nothing but loss of self respect, dignity and a lot of explaining to do. Here are a few examples:
(540): "He gave me a card that said "Im so glad we found each other... In the pants" and a pat on the head... My walk of Shame wasnt so bad."
(541): "She has puke on the back of her shirt not quite sure how the hell she did that."
(205): "Even completely stoned shes amazing on the piano. There are like 7 people sitting on the ground listening to her like shes the messiah."
(and those are the PG-Rated ones.....check out the site for more R and X rated texts from last night.....)
3) HappyPlace.com - This is a site that is an aggregate of stuff from all over the world and the internet. From funny street signs, to hilarious Facebook wall postings, to Twitter tweets, to my favorite so far, Unintentionally Inappropriate Test Responses from Young Children. These responses are hilarious because kids are innocent and dont understand adult humor, but after leafing through a few of these test responses, I guarantee you will be laughing your ass off. And again, a few of these arent safe for the work environment, so be careful who may be peeking over your shoulder. Here is an example that IS safe for work, but you should be able to get the idea:
4) DamnYouAutoCorrect.com - In this day and age of smart phone, that "convenient" autocorrect feature can make us look not so smart if we arent careful and double-checking our texting action. And with the advent of screengrabs on phones as well, these mistaken texts can be captured, posted and shared with the world. So next time you get ready to hit send on your phone, Id be a good idea to double-check your spelling. Again, PG examples listed below, but much more fun to be had at the site itself:
5) Fark.com - And for the news buffs out there who love the whacky and weird, this site should tempt your taste buds. Fark is also an aggregate from around the globe, but these are news stories that seem to be fake, but are actually true. From interesting, to sappy, to amusing, to scary, to dumbass, Fark.com categorizes each news story so that you can easily sift through countless strange news headlines and stories from around the globe. And just when you thought
the world couldnt get any weirder, it does. Here are a few headline examples:
"Jilted lover discovers new use for plastic pink flamingo. No not that kind of use, were talking more along the lines of a battering ram. With pics"
"Man is riding his bike across the country for suicide awareness. Vows to finish the trek or kill himself trying"
"Leading researcher says magic mushrooms could treat depression, details results of study involving seven pink unicorns, two rainbow colored Andean mountain goats and a really long chat with Jim Morrisons ghost"
Ok, thats all we here at Warming Trends have for today. A break from reality is needed every now and then. So sit back, relax and enjoy, because youve got some time to kill, and weve just given you enough to fill up at least half of that time...
Enjoy :)
Landscaping Designs for a Backyard Pond
Types of Solutions Provided by interior Designer
Usually the interior Designer will provide solutions with three aspects. Solutions they provide would be functional and applicable to the environment. Secondly, such solutions should invariably enhance the quality in the interior environment of the structure with which they are working. Finally, the solution should also be aesthetically attractive and acceptable. At the same time with the customer consciousness about greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency across the globe, encouraging the principles of environmental sustainability would be the other requirement.
landscaping designs that are going around or near a pond can be a little tricky and there are a few things to keep in mind. Your landscaping designs should complement and accent the area around the pond without adding debris or without becoming an obstacle and interfering with the mechanisms that keep the water in motion. If your pond has fish or you are planning on some fish make sure you do not use any plants that will be toxic to them.
A bog garden is sometimes referred to as a water feature but is different from the traditional pond. A water garden of this type sometimes uses a pond liner that is perforated and you fill the pond with mixtures of soil, water, peat, and compost to create a bog. Some of the plants that can be used in this garden might be cattails, irises, bog rosemary, plantain lilies and turtlehead. You can even use some of these plants on the outside of the bog basin such as umbrella plants, tules, and cattails. The majority of the bog plants can easily be cared for in very moist soil or mud outside the bog garden where water flows through it on a daily basis.
The sounds of cascading or trickling water we find very pleasing and soothing. Because of this many of us feature waterfalls and water fountains into our Landscape designs in the backyard or garden. Running water is not only soothing but it aerates a pond, giving fish a wonderful habitat; it also keeps water moving so it does not become stagnate. A waterfall can be created by purchasing a pond fountain kit or you can use a heavy-duty pump powerful enough to cascade water down piles of rocks or a hand-built slide.
There are plants such as clivia and agapanthus that can be used as part of your pond landscaping designs along with a horizontal juniper that will work well next to the water. Some tropical plants such as yuccas and succulents also are good to use. Grasses, sedges, and rushes can also be included near the edge of the water and how about the movement of Miscanthus and bamboo in a breeze. Ferns are favorite perennials especially maiden hair, shield, and staghorn ferns along with the palm-like plant called cycad.
The plants that have parts that are toxic to fish are: amaryllis bulbs; anemone flowers; leaves and flowers of the angel trumpet tree; all of the azaleas and rhododendrons; bird of paradise seeds; calla lily leaves; crocus bulbs; wild and cultivated cherry foliage and twigs; entire delphinium; English ivy berries, all of the foxglove; holly berries and leaves; hydrangea, all parts; entire yellow jasmine; mistletoe berries; oleander leaves; all of the lily-of-the-valley; philodendron leaves and sap; flower and leaves of poinsettia; all of snapdragon; and all of the tiger lily. These are just a few; there are many more that you need to research before planting.
If you have a koi pond you will want to minimize the amount of sun and wind in order prevent algae and the "bleaching effect" on the fishes color from the sun. Most aquatic gardens need just the opposite; an ample amount of sunlight for plant growth. For ponds of this type the taller vertical elements should be placed at the northern end of the basin. The bunching of similar types of plants is more effective than having one of everything. Your best bet for ideas is to visit other aquatic Landscapes for some ideas or check out some garden books on water Landscape ideas.
In order for a complete picture try to include your entire yard so that everything blends together. Your regular flower garden should blend in naturally with your pond. Try to map everything out on paper during your planning stage and when you keep everything in mind you will not have problems. Your pond will look very complete and seem as though it has been there for many years with some beautiful landscaping designs.
Barbara has looked into landscaping designs to place around a water feature and has found some good ideas. Her website Gardeners Garden Supplies features many articles regarding the garden, landscaping and accessories, so please come for visit and leave your comments.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Volkov
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