Mmm. You know it’s here by the fragrant smell of cypress or pine bark wafting from nature’s floor, or in this case, around your shrub beds. That’s right: it’s mulch season – the time of year when an innocent little piece of bark can turn homeowners into monsters or merrymakers. First, let’s start with the obvious. Mulch has a multitude of good things going for it. It controls weeds. Reduces soil erosion. Adds beauty to one’s landscape. And improves soil through decomposition. There’s no Continue Reading
LANDSCAPING INCREASES VALUE BY HOW MUCH?
I want to redo the landscape in my yard and need help establishing a budget. What percentage of my home's value should be put into landscaping? What percentage can I expect to get back if I were to sell? How much will my house appreciate due to professional landscaping? Answer: Real estate studies suggest that you can increase the value of your home 5-15 percent by upgrading your landscape from poor to good. What constitutes a "good" landscape is somewhat arbitrary, and how much of a boost Continue Reading
THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION
Situated directly on the Gulf of Mexico, this home was subjected to direct salt spray and unobstructed storms year round. The homeowners, who wanted to share their coastal lifestyle with family and friends, asked ArtisTree to create a no-turf landscape that was aesthetically pleasing, functional and congruent with the home’s architecture. They also requested that the design achieve the highest level of LEED accreditation possible: Platinum. More photos below. The Design Since the Continue Reading
WHEN IT COMES TO LIGHTING, ARTISTREE SHINES.
Q: I’m building a new home in Southwest Florida and want to emphasize the architectural elements and landscaping with some cool lighting like I see in the magazines. What does ArtisTree suggest? A: What a smart question, especially in light of (pun intended) the recent changes in bulb Energy efficiency is important when choosing an outdoor lighting fixture. For residential lighting, LED steals the show for being more energy-efficient and longer lasting than halogen. Sure, halogen’s Continue Reading