taylor-design

Summer care of your garden

info@taylordesign.co.nz (David Taylor) — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 03:06:50 GMT

Summer has finally arrived in New Zealand

Summer time is the season to be particularly vigilant to ensure your plants remain well watered and healthy. If there is inadequate water, your plants will suffer and be prone to infection and disease, resulting in poor plant growth and performance, and often death. During the summer we can have the additional concern of maintaining sufficient water for your plants health with the added burden of water restrictions.

My first suggestion if you are making changes to the planting choice in your existing garden or planning a new garden, now is the time to look at choosing plants which tolerate extremes in weather and climate. Ones that are adaptable to our our extreme weather are much more resistant and cheaper to maintain. There are many plants to choose from within this category.

Im going to give you some helpful ways to reduce your garden maintenance and to ensure good results.

As indicated above, suitable plant choice is your best option

Mulching your garden, mulching would be the one thing that has the biggest influence over the succsess on your garden. When you put a layer of mulch applied to the soils surface, it suppresses weeds substantially, and suffocates weed seeds from germinating, retains moisture within the soils by stopping evaporation and wind from drying the soil. It also has the added advantage of keeping the soil warm and helps maintain a consistent soil temperature, this really does accelerate the plant growth. It also has a big advantage by keeping the soil warmer during the cold winter months. There are many different types of mulch, but mainly it is bark , compost or stone chip or rounds. If its a bark or compost mulch its usually applied at a depth of 70-100mm. If a stone much is to be used this is best at a depth of 50-75mm. Make sure the soil surface is leveled and free of weeds. Make sure that the soil is watered well before applying any mulch otherwise it can be difficult to get water to penetrate down to the root zone of plants.

Automated watering systems, I'm not going to go into any specifics here, its a specialized area. There is a place for watering systems, and if set up and used correctly they can help to conserve water and minimize time input. However depending on the time you have available and on the size of your garden, with good plant choice and suitable mulching you can often get away without irrigating ... Hope this information has been helpful.

These photos are of a newly designed and constructed outdoor living space

info@taylordesign.co.nz (David Taylor) — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 22:41:22 GMT

Now is the time to start planning your new garden.

Many of us are currently relaxing around home during the Christmas/New year break. Now is a great time to do some introspection, to find out how you feel about your current outdoor space. A time to think about what would make you want to spend more time outdoors in your garden. If you are contemplating upgrading your current space, or maybe you have newly built a home and wanting to develop the garden and outdoor space so it will link with the home and reflect what’s important to you.

Start with looking through magazines and books, and online to get some inspiration and your creative juices flowing, you will then have a better idea of what you want to incorporate into your great outdoors. So note down all the things you want in this outdoor space.

Things that you might want to incorporate into this area:

• Overhead structure, ideally with louvers, these are simply the best way to extend the outdoor season, you can close down the louvers, alter the angle or simply retract them to allow the sun to stream in. Side blinds are a great way to control the wind; this is high on many peoples list, as this spring and summer there has been constant wind from every imaginable direction.

To justify spending money on the outdoor space, it make sense to incorporate ideas that will ensure you spend many hours outdoors, to ensure you will extend the outdoor season . It’s also important that you feel good in this space and makes you want to and of course it’s also important that you are are aware of what people are including into their gardens, this way you are mindful of the importance should you decide to sell your property at some future time.

• Outdoor kitchens, are a practical option, benches, fridge, maybe a washing up sink, BBQ, Teppanyaki grill, seating, outdoor fire, TV so there are a lot of options to consider, Raised garden beds, lighting, decking and patios, spa pool and maybe all the items you want to include will be around a swimming pool. The ideas are endless, the area can include all of the above, or maybe you just want a basic functional area, the choice is yours.

Now you can have fun … Once you have decided what you want, you can start to design how all this will fit in, link and flow together. Start by doing a scaled plan for this area; make sure you find out the actual size of all the things you will be including, you can cut out all these items and place them onto your plan and move them around until you are have with how it looks and works.

Alfresco at it's best ...

info@taylordesign.co.nz (David Taylor) — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 03:38:12 GMT

Your dreams can become your reality

This preliminary landscape draft has just been completed. Lots going on here, client wanted the works:

Swimming pool, spa, raised gardens, outdoor changing room, toilet and shower,decking's and patios. Overhead retractable louvers, BBQ and Teppanyaki grill and seating around a fire pit.

Once competed this will become a stunning outdoor entertainment area for family and friends to enjoy.

There's no time like now to justify installing a swimming pool into your landscape

info@taylordesign.co.nz (David Taylor) — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 07:04:39 GMT

The joy of a swimming pool ...

For many of us , holidays overseas and travelling beyond NZ is not something we can take seriously anytime soon. This has seen many people investing into their properties, using money they would've usually spent on travel. Swimming pools, spas, outdoor dinning, fires, overhead structures and landscaping to name just a few.

Life as we now know it, is very different now days, out of the adversity has been opportunity. Opportunity to reset and redefine our lifestyles, what makes us happy and feel good. This has been a great time to embrace change and redefine whats important to us.

In one of my previous posts "There is life after lock-down" i alluded to how we would all be spending more time closer to home, and indeed around our immediate properties. Im determined not to have my life defined by Covid, however i think of myself as a realist. We are indeed living in some very uncertain times, at any stage we could see our freedom and ability to travel outside our immediate area being effected. Should we be unfortunate enough to be confined to our bubbles in the future, it will be easier to tolerate, and be more enjoyable if we have used our time wisely post Covid to get ourselves and our home and our outdoor spaces organised.

Maybe now is a great time to seriously consider investing into a swimming pool. There are many reasons people might decide on installing a pool. Its a great hub for entertainment, to have fun and keep your kids and family close by, and create lifelong memories.

There's lots to think about when including a pool into your landscape. What shape, what size, where exactly is the best position for the pool, what other things do you want incorporated into this outdoor entertaining area. Maybe an outdoor fire, out door oven, seating, barbecue, pizza oven. Overhead structures for shade and cover, louvers are great for this. They can be tilted to allow sun in, or can be closed if the weather is inclement.

Lots to think about, pools are a large investment, make sure you deal with a reputable pool specialist who has good credentials, and is associated with all the other sub-trades to make the experience fun and exciting and to ensure the investment will be a good one.

Our garden and outdoor areas can say a lot about who we are:

info@taylordesign.co.nz (David Taylor) — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 03:17:35 GMT

Our garden and outdoor areas can say a lot about who we are:

Many things in our lives can be statements or expressions of who we are. The vehicle we drive, our house, our clothes. These things can be outlets to express our personalities and make a statement.

Our gardens and outdoor areas are a great way to express who we are and what’s important to us. It’s often a reflection of our individuality and lifestyle.

Garden styles are as varied as our personalities., no one size fits all, best way to avoid the cookie cutter look is to avoid using lots of generic off the shelf items, if you go down that route, your place will not stand out and nor will your personality show through.

Try engaging a Landscape design professional to create a one off look, make a point of difference, if this person is truly working for you they will listen, help guide and fashion your ideas in a way that will work and help you unleash the “inner creative” locked inside you. Outdoor spaces are a wonderful place to get creative. There’s nothing like spending time in an environment that says … THIS IS ME!

No matter what ideas you may have, start with the planning process to identify and define your own lifestyle and the things you want to include. If you have the ideas but feel swamped and over whelmed by choice or how to actually make it all work, simply choose a place to start. This could be the front of your home or the entry area, as this area is often the first place people see and can say a lot about who you are. Just get started, jot down and start formulating your ideas, and let your imagination fly.

Life after Lock-down ... Out of adversity there can be opportunity

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 06:56:22 GMT

Coming off lock-down and moving through the levels:

Recently most of us have had way more time on our hands than we are used to since entering lock-down. Even at level 3 and beyond life will be far from what we’ve known as normal.

For me personally and probably for many it’s been a stay-cation, spending lots of time inside and outside, close to our homes.

For some of us it’s been difficult making this adjustment. For others me included, it’s been a great time to reflect on what things have been neglected around the home. Since the lock-down, like many I have been ticking things off a long list and completing many of these neglected tasks.

Before lock-down many of us have been way too busy, rushing here and there, and after a busy working week we feel we just want to escape the routine, for us it was head to a cafe or a restaurant, maybe a chance to meet up over a meal with family or friends. We have come to realise we weren’t really spending quality time in and around our home. The lock-down has provided us all with the opportunity to reflect on our lifestyles, figure out what’s really important to us. It’s also a time to ask ourselves what we do or don’t like about our properties and more importantly how we feel when we hang out around home.

An occupational hazard of being a Landscape Consultant and Designer is, whenever I travel or go walking, I can’t but help look at gardens. What has become very obvious to me when walking our dog daily, most people have a lot of money invested and many homeowners do care how their gardens look, and take pride in their properties. What has also become apparent to me while walking is, many gardens as viewed from the street have become tired and some have just lost that impact and street appeal? It’s obvious the ones that have initially had some guidance from a professional, and many owners have had a crack at doing it themselves. Regardless, over time as any garden matures, the garden changes and needs an update or upgrade, all gardens eventually fall into this category due to age.

What’s encouraging, is many of the properties I see, simply need some short sharp fine tuning, a few tweaks here and there to refresh them, to make them stand out. The other good thing is, most of these changes and tweaks cost very little. What needs to be understood is the money we spend on the presenting our properties, especially the front garden as seen by others, if dealt with properly will nett you way more than the cost to initiate and make these changes.

It’s a known and accepted fact by landscaping the front of a property in many cases will return and add way more value than spending on a new kitchen or bathroom. This is especially so if you are prepared to do the work yourself, but under the guidance of a Landscape design professional.

Let’s face it the way we operate in the world has been changed forever. Our buying and spending patterns have been altered, what we do and how we do it, and where we go has changed. This is not all bad, we have been given an opportunity to stop, step back and take a look at how we live. We can make positive change to our lives and lifestyles. Many people will spend less time and money going out to cafes and restaurants and holidays outside of New Zealand. Also how we entertain and value we place on the indoors and outdoors of our homes. If we are to spend more time entertaining and staying home we want our properties to reflect who we are, and what feels right for us personally. It’s a privilege to be asked into someone’s private world, but also enjoyable and fun to socialise at home. This can be a great thing, saving you money, and giving you more control and safety over who we have around us.

I challenge you all to google the word HYGGE … Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of cosines and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment what a great time to incorporate this into our lives and homes. Now is a great time to decide how your entertaining areas will function best, and how to go about incorporating all the things you need and want. Functionality is important, but equally how it looks and makes people feel is important too. The other aspect to consider is to be sure that the changes you make to your property are ones that will add value to your property asset.

Maybe you are tired of how your garden looks, or not happy with how it is, but lack the confidence and motivation to get started … I can help!

1. Simply start by making an appointment.

2. I will call to your property, we will have a chat and do a walk around and ascertain what changes are you require.

Options available:

Option 1.

If the changes required are straight forward, these can be suggested verbally on-site by way of a consultation.

Option 2.

If more instruction is required I can provide you with an on the spot quote for a Landscape plan which you can follow and do the work yourself, of if preferred have a Landscaper do the work for you … It’s that simple!

Call David on 027 2271609

Wonderful Winter Landscape Design in Christchurch

Wed, 07 Aug 2019 08:55:41 GMT

Magnificent deciduous trees:

Yes winter can be a dreary sombre time of the year, but you don’t have to look far to see some magical things either.

Summer time is a great season with these lovely trees blocking, filtering and screening buildings and the landscape around them. They stand majestically as individuals yet merge and link together to form a soft layering of foliage connecting us seamlessly to the environment, even in the heart of a city we can experience and feel this connection with nature.

Winter brings a sharp contrast to summer; these majestic trees shed their coat of leaves to reveal the wonderful naked form and structure of these individual specimens. Their silhouette can stand out starkly yet they can almost disappear magically to reveal buildings and the surrounding things of interest that we are unable to see during the summer when they wear their cloak of leaves. Sunlight pours through warming us on a cold winter’s day.

Drive and walk around your city and experience just how much more you can see when these great trees shed their leaves. Winter is a wonderful time of contrast; yes trees connect us to nature even in the heart of a city. Open your eyes to the beauty of winter.

Merivale Landscape Design Case Study

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 02:03:19 GMT

Merivale Case Study

,An existing Courtyard in the Christchurch suburb in the heart of Merivale

The site was small (9x4m) was lacking privacy, was uninspiring and lacked any feature or interest summary ... boring!

Clients brief:

The garden must make the house feel more spacious. The house interior dimensions are small, total floor are only 70m2
The garden must optimize indoor outdoor flow
The garden must be interesting and private
Maximise all available space
Create a restful oasis
Garden must cater for at least up to 6 dinner guests

Solution / benefits:

Semi -divide the one long narrow space into two different size areas, making the area feel wider. We did this by incorporating two wooden screens.
We connected the interior and exterior of the house by using large plain grey 600x600 concrete pavers. These pavers visually linked with the 600x600 white tiles indoors.
Paving now comes right up to the house, providing an immediate connection, reinforcing the link between the indoors and outdoors.
The use of wooden Macrocarpa sleeper laid cross ways dividing the two paved areas created width to the narrowly proportioned site.
Adding interest and soothing tranquility, by incorporating a water feature and sculpture as focal points.
The garden was softened from the structured lines of the garden by contrasting strong architectural plants with mass planting simple green plants which also screen the neighbouring properties.
Created a number of areas to sit within the small garden, offering its inhabitants a calm, warm sheltered place of contemplation.

“This cosy courtyard oasis has great dynamic’s… offering such a lot from such a small space, now provides the owners a welcome escape from the busy modern world outside”

Sumner Landscape Design Case Study

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 01:56:19 GMT

Case Study - Sumner

An existing Courtyard in the Christchurch suburb of Sumner. Small site (11x4m) uninspiring sterile and boring.

Clients brief:

Work within the existing confines of the existing tiled surface, this required softening the harsh lines and taking the eye away from the colour of the tiles.
To create a courtyard oasis, private and tranquil with luxuriant foliage, a place to escape, relax and be at one with nature.

Solution / benefits:

Create two separate yet flowing areas, this division was in principle achieved with planting
Using lots of items e.g. carefully selecting furniture and accent items. Interest and intrigue was created.
Dappled shade and overhead cover was achieved by planting and large umbrella.
Intrigue and mystery was achieved by screening or filtering views by strategically siting carefully chosen objects and plants.
Tranquility and coolness, punctuated by the dramatic has been successfully achieved, using a combination of layered luxuriant green foliage and striking architectural forms of planting.
Careful placement of pots, these double as accent pieces, whilst also providing visitors an informal meandering pathway link from the street to the front door.
What was once a harsh sterile space of acute straight lines and openness has been transformed into a soft flowing peaceful place.

“A beautiful tranquil haven has been created right in the heart of a busy seaside suburb. Now an inviting place to relax and contemplate”

Landscape Design for Builders, Developers and Home Build Companies

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 01:50:02 GMT

Design services for: Builders, Developers and Home build Companies:

The design services offered to Builders, Developers and Home build companies... are similar to those we offer to our regular clientele. However Builders and Developers often have a unique criterion given that many of the works in commercial environs are a site specific, being a mix of larger and smaller projects with such diversity, this requires the skills of a professional to ensure the specific brief of a project is achieved.

Our clients have a wealth of over 35 years’ experience to draw on to ensure their project meets all the objectives. These packages have evolved and are continually being modified to meet this specific market.

Often the work we are involved in is of necessity and may form part of a developers consented obligations. A landscape plan will often be part of the consent process; however to the credit of many of our astute clients they have been quick see all the aesthetic and financial benefits from engaging a design professional. Which ensure they have a marketing edge and to set their product apart from their competitors.

The fees charged or quoted will be money well invested, often saving you many thousands of dollars over and above the fees charged.

We have saved clients thousands of dollars on their landscaping by providing alternative ideas which costs much less than the idea a client has been focused on. The fees charged have been well and truly paid for plus some... Let alone how we can make improvement and add tremendous value to property. Don’t leave things to chance!

The final objective once the landscaping has been finished… is to derive all the financial and aesthetic benefits that result from using a landscape professional.

Taylor design - plan and design outdoor environments and gardens for Commercial developments:

Private homes
Schools / Preschools
Early Child care centres etc
Subdivisions
Office and warehouse developments
Retirement complexes
Motels and Apartments etc.

Quake Re-shape Residential Lanscape Design for Christchurch Homes

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 01:25:56 GMT

Taylor design - is providing a working solution to those looking to move forward post - Earthquake.

People tend to fit into one of 3 categories:

New build a on your existing land (section).
Repairing and making good your existing house and land.

New build on a new piece of land.

We all have been affected one way or the other by the seismic events in Christchurch / Canterbury. Some have endured more than others. We all have stories to tell. Living through this hasn’t been for the faint hearted. This for most has been a long stressful exhausting process and fraught with such uncertainty.

However on a positive note out of adversity there can be opportunity… Be it by design or necessity there is often an opportunity to move forward. Taylor design has set up a service to make this transition happen as easily as possible. Whichever one of the above categories you fall into, establishing a new garden or re hashing the existing garden will be a big part of your new-build/re-build process.

There can be some stimulating, invigorating, positive and therapeutic benefits… Since “time immoral” these feelings have been associated with gardening, and gardens often referred to as being “Good for the Soul”.

At Taylor design - we plan and design gardens and outdoor environments. Not only for the city/suburbs, but also for country gardens in the rural areas too.

Post-earthquakes there’s a growing awareness. Never before has there been such a need or opportunity to emphasize the importance on achieving a successful integration between the interior and exterior elements of your home. Landscaping is the thing that fuses, melds and anchors the built structure (your house/home) with that of the land it sits on.

Moving forward… has provided you with an opportunity to be involved in the design and creation of your new outdoor environment. One that should be designed specifically to your personal requirements and lifestyle needs. What better time than now to embrace this opportunity, to incorporate what you want and let us help you achieve this seamlessly without any of the stress.

At Taylor design we want to help. This is what we are experienced at and enjoy doing.

Planning Consent, Landscape Design in Christchurch

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 01:25:56 GMT

Planning application and resource consent matters.

Taylor design -Commercial landscape design is an interesting area to work in. Given many of the works in commercial environs are a site specific, a mix of larger and smaller projects. With such diversity requires skill. Having a wealth of over 35 year experience ensures a project meets all the objectives.

Design plans are a fantastic way to incorporate all the things required and economically make relevant change if necessary, preventing costly hold ups during the build and construction process. The final objective is to derive all the financial and aesthetic benefits that result from using a Landscape Design Professional.

Taylor design plan and design outdoor spaces, and gardens for Commercial developments:

Schools
Early Child care centres etc
Subdivisions
Office and warehouse developments
Retirement complexes
Motels and Apartments etc

A Landscape plan is often part of a requirement that forms an integral part of a resource consent. It's important to take the landscape design through all the stages e.g. Concept Plan/preliminary process through to a final landscape plan.

If you are required to submit a plan for resource consent, often being required to implement the garden in accordance with the plan. You will more than likely be monitored to ensure you have complied with the plan. It's important that you get this right!

After all consents have been issued, we are happy to provide a written quotation for any of the work that requires completion. We have a team and the resources to do any landscape and construction work required to build your project.

Simply fill out our online inquiry form or call us on Ph: 027 2271609 to have a chat or make an appointment for us to come out and see you on site.

Rural & Country Landscape Design

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 01:25:55 GMT

Rural and Country Landscape Design.

We design new gardens and revamp and add impact to existing gardens

We design outdoor environments and gardens for farms, and lifestyle blocks. It has a unique criterion given that many of the work in the rural environs are of larger scale to that of urban environment.

When working and creating on a larger scale it's important to think of the space as being generous and not overwhelmingly massive. It's essential to avoid it feeling too open and clumsy. Areas such as the patios or courtyards need to make the inhabitants feel cosy and comfortable.

For example you're looking out from your house across the garden, it's a huge space without definition … i’t shouldn't feel or be this way.

Taylor design - can eliminate this by using many techniques, such as semi dividing one huge space into smaller areas. Skillfully altering the scale and proportions, thus creating the feeling of intimacy and cosines.

This can further be reinforced by carefully selecting the materials used. Lighter colours and larger paving create a feeling of spaciousness, true also if you want to make an area feel smaller you do the opposite.

Also combining and contrasting materials and textures is a way to play on the senses. Choosing tall thin plants with blending or muted colours creates the illusion of distance. Ones with brighter colour and bolder leaves make us believe they are closer to us. By skillfully combining and contrasting these elements we distort and confuse our senses, tricking them into believing something exists when in reality it doesn't.

We can help:

With where to position your new house and any amenity and ancillary buildings on your block of land. Help with defining the amount of space for the house block and garden area, the position and shape of driveway and parking areas. Advise on fencing/walls etc. for shelter, division, help with patios/courtyards etc.

Special features:

Swimming pools, spas, water features, ponds, tennis courts, patios and courtyards etc. shade and overhead structures, raised and walled gardens, seating, sculptures and large ornamental feature pots.

Plants selection:

Plants can be arranged to create shelter, and for their ornamental attributes, height, colour, texture and suitability to your specific geographical location and specific site.

Taylor design - have over 35 years’ experience working in the rural sector. We ensure the outdoor spaces we create provide the best of both worlds. Comfy and cosy, yet generously spacious ensuring you enjoy all the benefits of your rural lifestyle.

Another thing we consider very important, designing with ease of maintenance in mind, ensuring you have all the advantages of enjoying a larger garden without being a slave to it. Taylor design have the expertise to create a garden which is truly stunning yet very easy to maintain.

We understand the essential components key to any successful design plan:

Spatial awareness
Proportion
Scale
Shape
Balance and form

To successfully design in any discipline it's important to understand these components. It's primarily about aligning and balancing these carefully.

Remember back to a time when you felt something just didn't look or feel right. You may not have grasped what was actually wrong, but you sensed it wasn't right! This was probably because the components weren't aligned or balanced correctly. Often this is where there's significant disparity... between an unskilled person and a professional. Remember the old adage… “You pay for what you get”… Choose wisely!

Design plans are a fantastic way to incorporate every thing you want. Taylor design -will plan your garden with the future in mind. Your plan can be implemented as your time and funds permit.
If you have the resources you can complete the entire garden, however if you want to work within a series of budgets thats OK, you can simply work on one area at a time as time and funds are available.

Food for thought!…

I'm sure sometime in the past you can recall thinking ... I don't want to spend money by employing a professional, only to find out that you wish you had. Hind sight is a wonderful thing as the saying goes.

Often the price of something will influence our decision on whether or not to engage a professional. I can't stress strongly enough! If funds are limited … don't penny pinch on Investing in Professional Design, especially when it's your property, or some other real-estate on the line. Presentation is paramount when investing in or on selling a property.

If a Design Professional is working with you in a genuine capacity, the fees charged will be money well invested.

The problem for most of us we only focus on the price tag. The price is one thing, but the actual cost if you get it wrong is quite another!

More times than I care to remember, we have saved clients thousands of dollars on their landscaping by offering alternative ideas. Often this will cost much less than the idea a client has been focused on.

Maybe you want to put your property on the market and need that X Factor to help make it stand out. Or maybe you’re having trouble selling a property. We have the ideas to improve the presentation and marketability of your property, having solid expertise in this area.

Taylor design - can make improvement and add tremendous value to your real-estate.

Landscaping is a creative investment tool and often tax deductible.

Our landscape design plans and packages are sequenced and include the following:

Travel to and from site.

Site consultation - meet and discuss with client their requirements.

Measure site if required.

Stage 1

Preparation of a scaled preliminary landscape plan. This can include driveways, patios, courtyards, walls, fencing etc.

Defining and shaping all gardens and lawn areas. May include special features e.g. shade structures, walled gardens and raised beds, spa pools, ponds, swimming pools, water features, outdoor fires and BBQ's etc.

We will provide you with 2 copies of plans, 1 coloured, and 1 black and white. Meet to explain plan, any changes that may be required are included.

Stage 2

Completion of landscaping plan - this includes detailed planting and plant schedule; if any construction specifications relevant to plan are required these will often be included. Provide 2 copies of final plan, 1 coloured, and 1 black and white. Meet with client to explain plan.

Other packages available:

We also provide packages for Developers, Home Build Companies and Builders.

Simply fill out our online inquiry form or call us on Ph: 027 2271609 to have a chat or make an appointment for us to come out and see you on site.