Inspired by Nature - The Surrounds Blog

How thoughtful design transformed a tiny lot with big constraints Project Snapshot* Location: Historic District – Herndon, Virginia Property Size: ~0.1 acre in-town lot Home Style: Custom farmhouse vernacular Primary Challenge: Small lot with engineered rain garden and historic district restrictions Signature Feature: Flagstone fireplace patio designed...

​Solving a functional design problem beautifully This Alexandria, Virginia residence had an awkward driveway configuration and needed a more inviting front landscape design. Working from a detailed site analysis and evaluation, Surrounds landscape architect Chad Talton worked with the client to identify three points that would be addressed in the design...

Ideally, you would want to work with a residential landscaping service that practices an all-in-one approach. That is, one that fluidly toggles between detailed garden maintenance, preventive hardscape maintenance, and landscape equipment maintenance.  Why? Because an outdoor environment is composed of both “living” and mechanical systems that must...

Does your front yard fall flat when it comes to landscape curb appeal?  ​Consulting with an experienced landscape architect can help you assess your property and determine what combination of plants, trees, and other features can transform your boring front yard landscape into the landscape of your dreams. A professional can also make recommendations...

What’s the difference between a nice landscape and one that makes you stop and stare in awe? Naturally, the artistry of the landscape architect and the finesse of the landscape maintenance team has a significant influence on the effect. But the success of that creative vision and expert care is dependent on how well the architect and maintenance crew...

If you are thinking about taking the leap and investing in front of house landscaping, you’ll want to consider all the angles to be sure you don’t overlook anything that might make your project fall short of your expectations.  It is essential to take an inventory of all the functional and aesthetic characteristics that will form the foundation of your...

Landscapes ideally should appeal to all of the senses—sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. In fact, most of them reach all of our senses in varying degrees. In this article, we are going to focus on sound, specifically, the sound produced by backyard water features such as waterfalls, ponds, and fountains that have been designed into the landscape. In...

Front of house lighting designs tend to emphasize practicality over aesthetics. Most homes come equipped with basic utility lights at the front of the house. That outdoor lighting design will usually include illumination for the entry porch area, a few low to the ground path lights, and a lamp post at the start of the front walkway.  However, if the...

If you are already about to embark on a front yard landscaping project, now would be the ideal time to bring fresh driveway design ideas into the mix.​ Driveway aesthetics are usually an after-thought (if they are thought of at all) in front yard landscaping. A “makeover” of your driveway surface using new driveway materials could significantly enhance...

The decision to invest in a koi pond for your outdoor environment is a big one. That’s why we’d like you to be as informed as you can be about the essential elements of koi pond maintenance and design before you make the investment.  A backyard pond can bring many joys if it is designed and built correctly and maintained regularly. The murmur of a waterfall,...

We don’t usually think of privacy landscaping when considering the front yard. Front yard landscaping tends to be presentational because it is the public-facing side of your house. It’s about appearances, making a good impression on visitors or passersby.  The landscape leading up to and bordering your home is designed to show a beautiful setting that...

It’s a fair question — and one we hear often. You’ve invested in a beautiful landscape design and outdoor living environment, and now you’re being asked to invest again to maintain it. Why does that cost so much? The short answer is because you’re not paying just for mowing and weeding. You are paying for expertise and the skilled labor needed to care...

The artistic success of any front entry design or front walkway is built on sound functional design principles. Problems occur frequently in developer built homes because builders understandably focus on maximizing the beauty and spaciousness of the house. The fine details of front yard landscaping including front walkways, entry doors, and driveways...

Backyard water features, whether large or small, complex or straightforward, infuse your outdoor environment with a kind of music. The sound of water trickling over rocks or splashing into a pond is charming and inviting. While water features such as waterfalls, garden fountains, and backyard ponds bring an additional layer of sensory pleasure to your...

As we mentioned in a previous blog post, when front yard landscaping falls short of expectations, dysfunctional driveway design and blah front walkways are often the culprits. That is because the experience of getting from point A to point B is an essential part of the “arrival experience” that welcomes you home.  If the approach to the house is awkward...

Garden waterfalls, like other water features, are a contrivance of landscape design that come in many styles. When done well, they become works of art on their own.  If you’ve ever vacationed at a beachfront cottage, you know how it feels to wake up in the morning to the sound of gentle surf lapping the shore. The sound of moving water is pleasing and...

Our modern homes have service and utility equipment that takes up space outdoors. This includes housings for electrical and cable service, air conditioning units, backup generators, and pool equipment. Particularly with newly constructed homes there are often curbside service units that are not part of front yard design. You know, the ugly green box...

Wouldn’t it be much easier if you had one company to manage all aspects of your ongoing landscape services? It would for sure be more efficient to have one point of contact at that company, right? People who have fairly complex landscapes will sometimes find themselves working with several companies. They may contract with one landscape service...

Let’s face it. When your home comes into view–whether you are turning into the driveway with a carload of kids and groceries or you’ve just slowed down to an easy jog after a hard three-miler around the neighborhood–you want to feel something. Proud. Pleased. How about welcomed by your front yard landscape design? Here is the problem: Your front yard...

Landscape management is a comprehensive approach to landscape maintenance that places responsibility for the upkeep of your property in the hands of one company.  This “all-in-one” approach encompasses all aspects of the landscape. That includes: Mechanical systems. Maintenance and repair of water features, irrigation, lighting, and outdoor audio systems Constructed...