Summer is Here and the Grilling's Easy

Saveur Magazine's Summer Grilling Guide is here!

Now that we are on the other side of the summer kick-off weekend called Memorial Day,its time to enjoy summer in the Hudson Valley.  Our pools opened, the temperatures are in the high 80's and even the 90's, and dinner shall now be grilled—not baked or roasted. 

That said, no time is it more fitting to gain access to a Summer Grilling Guide.  This one is from Saveur Magazine. Learn everything from how to pick out a grill for that new paver patio or composite deck, grill the perfect burger, steaks, and ribs, and even brush up on a little grilling 101.

Be sure not to miss a few of the highlights in this one like the grilled sweet summer corn and the best grilled fish recipes. Ah yes, summer is here in Orange County, NY and the outdoor living season is as well. Prepare your patios, garden beds, and decks for a few months of great al fresco dining. Start here for inspiration... 

Bold Colors for Bold Outdoor Style

Contemporary Patio by Novato Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Derviss Design

Materials like bluestone, fieldstone, and concrete pavers are beautiful materials for walkways and patios. Combined with the subtle tones and hues of plants used strategically alongside the hardscape, your landscape design is certainly not boring or lacking color. But it may just be lacking pops of BOLD color. 

Inside, homeowners use artwork, pillows, blankets, and the ever popular accent wall to introduce bold colors to add interest and pizazz. But outdoors that isn’t always so easy. Although sometimes challenging, adding space to your Hudson Valley landscape is seriously rewarding in the style department. 

Tropical Landscape by San Luis Obispo Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

For this outdoor living season, try using some bright colored outdoor pillows to bring excitement into your design. Add a throw rug with bold hues of blue, purple, or orange. Outdoor curtains are becoming very popular as a way to divide larger spaces into smaller ones, resulting in intimate outdoor living rooms. Make them a vibrant yellow instead of white and watch the style points go though the roof.

Landscape by Duvall Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Le jardinet

All of this said, it is a great idea to practice restraint when using powerful colors. Picking an accent color and inject it in a few different ways can be a great strategy!

The 2015 season is off and running!

After a long winter here in the Hudson Valley, we couldn't be happier to see the warm weather and summer sunshine! We have been busy, busy, busy at Landworx of NY and our team has been active building beautiful landscapes in and around the Orange County, NY area. 

We thought we'd check in and share some pictures from our recent job sites. As you will see, natural fieldstone walls and bluestone patios & walkways have been popular thus far in the season. Pillars, natural steps and landings, walkways, and retaining walls abound! 

Enjoy these shots from out in the field and be sure to check soon for great outdoor living ideas, tips, and tricks for your Hudson Valley landscapes. 

Concrete Garden Planters Go Modern

Photo Dave Demers, www.Gardendesign.com

As the outdoor living and landscape craze continues to grow, more products will emerge that just blow our minds. Marie Khouri’s concrete garden planters may be just some of those products. A huge attraction at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York last year, Marie’s work is somehow art and magic all at once.

When sculpture like this hits the outdoor space, a whole different feel takes over the space. Even though she admittedly doesnt care for gardening, she does enjoy hanging out in outdoor spaces. Built from resin and reinforced concrete, the stark white planters are a statement indeed.

These planters are just a hint at some of the amazing delvelopments we shall see in the outdoor living design world.

Who knows, we may just find these popping up here in the landscapes of the Hudson Valley. 

3 things to consider when planning your outdoor space

Planning a new outdoor living space can be very involved. While you certainly have ideas of what you would like the space to look like and maybe even a budget, it can be overwhelming to make all the decisions. Here are a few things to consider while you are working with your landscape professional to carve out the details of the design and installation. 

1. Size matters

A great question to ask yourself when thinking of creating an outdoor living space is probably not much different than what you thought of when you bought your home. How much space do I need? Who will be using the space? Do I want to entertain regularly? Getting an idea of how many people will be using the living space is a great first step. From there,  landscape design professional will be able to project the necessary square footage needed. 

2. How will you use the space

Some Hudson Valley homeowners are looking for a small space to have regular dinners with just their family of four. Others entertain large groups of family and friends 26 weekends a year. The outdoor living spaces these folks will need are going to be very different. Do you want to have a fully functioning outdoor kitchen? How about a swimming pool for your family to enjoy? Write down exactly what you see you and your family doing in the newest “room” of your house. 

3. Maintenance

Most families are running around like crazy these days—soccer practice here, basketball game there, and somehow dinner needs to be prepared in the middle. Ahhhhh?!?! The best outdoor living space in the world will only be a headache if it requires your constant attention and work instead of enjoyment. Choose concrete paver products that are durable and guaranteed for life. Choose a decking material that will outlast your years. Consult an Orange County, NY landscape company for advice and material choices. 

image courtesy of Allmodern.com.