Masonry And Hardscapes In Your Arizona Backyard

Even though the trellis covered with roses continues to be a lovely hardscape for your yard, intricate hardscapes now enhance the look of the yard as well as the entrance charm of the house. Concealed gardens with statues, seating and masonry produce interest areas but additionally areas to get a relaxing getaway.

Stone and masonry add their own personal element towards the colorful atmosphere with the yard and garden. If you don’t have a flower garden or blooming bushes, the masonry will become the accent of color in what might otherwise be a drab appearing lawn.

Think about the peace and tranquility, which comes from resting within your calm lawn and listening to the sounds produced by a pond with a waterfall. Water features created with combinations of natural stone and brick produce a peaceful setting and take you away from the many troubles you experience during the day. The addition of brick paths to the miniature paradise that’s a pleasure to the eyes, the senses along with the spirit add continuity for the focal point of this type of hardscaping.

Masonry patios aren’t only exciting and add to the elegance of the house, they’re functional too. The addition of stone and masonry turns unused space of your backyard into a valuable addition towards the worth of your property. An outdoor fireplace or fire pit isn’t just a focal point for the lawn but provides a spot where the loved ones gathers and friends really feel comfy.

An additional popular object which a great number of backyard patios feature is often a gourmet kitchen area. Outdoor cooking is actually way more classy when compared with merely getting the charcoal grill. It now includes a lot more modern kitchenware together with stone counters and built-in refrigerator units. These kinds of outdoor cooking elements make visits to the kitchen unneeded. Think about putting your food inside the oven and sitting back down in a comfy lounge chair soaking in the loveliness of Mother nature and the back yard. These kinds of outside kitchens are becoming much more well-liked than ever.

Retaining walls and decorative walls do not merely boost the points of interest with the area but additionally add an air of style to the entire landscape. You are able to highlight little garden areas simply by elevating them above your lawn and enclosing them with a retaining wall.

Adding drama to the entrance lawn by using a brick or stone walk way and big bricked entryway provides increased worth to your home while supplying a good area to display gardens, potted plants and statuary. Furthermore , it ensures that water drains correctly away from the home and also assists to avoid soil erosion as it does.

If you live in a dry, warm location, brick walls and heavy masonry make wonderful sun shelters and help to absorb the heat since they radiate coolness back in the direction of the house. You may discover these varieties of walls help to keep the home cooler if the weather conditions are unbearably hot.

Regardless of what your weather or location, you’ll notice that incorporating hardscapes to your home improve not just the worth of the house, it improves your enjoyment of it. It helps turn a place to reside into your unique private retreat.

Visit www.unique-landscapes.com to see more hardscaping.

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3D Landscape Design

O’Reilly Pool & Landscape Design – Gold Canyon

This incredible backyard showcases a very free form pool & spa combination with a raised wall in the back of the pool that contains some decorative pots & waterfalls.  The decking around the pool is a rich “slate” flagstone coping that portrays a very natural feel for the backyard.  The 8′ raised spa sits nicely @ 18″ high, and contains a 2″ bullnose travertine coping which makes a nice smooth decking & area to sit on the edge of the spa. 

The remainder of the landscaping contains a secluded firepit & built-in seating area, lots of plants, trees, pots and color, and a outdoor kitchen area, grill & raised bar.  There are lots of neat features that complete this incredible backyard located in a great area of Gold Canyon, AZ.   This backyard & pool design is still in conceptual phases of design and can easily change to suit individual needs, tastes or desires…

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Importance of Landscape Design in Phoenix

Why should I pay for a landscape design?  What is the importance of a professional landscape design?  I want an incredible Arizona backyard, and was wondering about your Phoenix landscape design services….

All very COMMON questions for a landscape and pool company in Phoenix…  Hi, my name is Chris Griffin, and I’m the owner of Unique Landscapes by Griffin – a professional landscape contractor in Phoenix.  We specialize in incredible landscape designs for our Phoenix clients.  Our Phoenix landscape design services include very basic sketches to unbelievable 3D landscape designs. 

What are my qualifications?

Unique Landscapes Project in Phoenix

Unique Landscapes Project in PhoenixAmazing Landscape & Pool Project by Unique

Here are just a few of the first of many of our projects.  What is the COMMON link between any landscaping project in Arizona?  Well, the most incredible projects ALL start with a professional landscape design! I can guarantee it….
There are many ways to actually come about a professional landscape design in Phoenix, Arizona.  Here are a few & what you should expect:

1.  Phoenix Landscape Architect -  Landscape architects specialize in designing great projects for builders, homeowners, and residences all around the valley. These guys know how it SHOULD be done, and come up with some pretty great projects.  If money is not an object, this is the way to go – let a Phoenix landscape architect assist in your Arizona landscaping project.  CONS -  while landscape architects truly know the business, these guys are ALWAYS looking for the next huge project to boost their business. For the most part, the Phoenix landscape designs that my company bids for clients (that are done by a Phoenix landscape architect), end up being 20 to 50% OVER the desired budget of the client.  Some of these projects never get done, some end up being scaled way back, and many changes are made to reduce cost…. 

2.  Phoenix Landscape Designer -   A professional landscape designer should be all that is needed in ANY project.  Why?  Well, first off, these guys do it all the time – and they generally work for an established landscape company or contractor – or they have their own business in landscape design.  Finding a great landscape designer can be the challenge though…..   Here is my company PLUG…
Unique Landscapes is the Phoenix landscaping contractor, and we are the landscape designer too!  Why is this important?  Well, every project is done with a basic concept, and scope of work in mind.  Also, EVERY project is done with a BUDGET in mind.  As the contractor, we know what things cost, and a professional landscaping company can be your best asset – helping the client unify the landscape design, project wish list, and budget.  CONS – Well, I’m bias, but a guess a con could be not finding a GOOD landscape designer, or one that is just interested in selling you something you don’t need!  Research who you are hiring (like reading this BLOG!)

3.  Small Landscape Company – There are many small companies out there that do basic Arizona landscaping.  In fact, I can refer you to a few.  My brother owns a mesa landscape company – Griffin’s Desertscapes, and he specializes in many basic landscape projects.  The landscape designs are most often sketches, by hand, and very basic – which is not bad for small projects.  CONS – Even on projects $5K and over, i feel it’s necessary to have some sort of professionally illustrated design (just to sign contract, present, and set expectations)

Now – finally, i’ll actually answer the questions that I intro’d with!

Why should I pay for a landscape design?    Landscape designers are just like any business professional.  I have many clients that EXPECT a free landscape design.  I often wonder what kind of response I’d get if I went into a doctors office, art studio, or lawyer – and asked for several hours of free time, work, and input on a issue (and then EXPECTED it for free).  You may say that these guys have a college degree – well, the good landscape designers do too!  In fact, mine is in Civil Engineering…  You will find that most Phoenix landscape designers are just looking to cover their time, and most DON’T get paid if they don’t sell the job.  In fact, most landscape designers will GUARANTEE that you will love the design – or they will re-design it.  With those types of guarantees, we’d love our clients to research & interview first before asking for free services….  for qualified buyers, it’s not uncommon to get some great ideas, sketches or design work – but I’ve yet to meet a professional landscape designer that has actually left their work with the client! 

 

What is the importance of a professional landscape design?   The landscape design is the foundation to the entire Phoenix landscaping project!  In fact, it’s the plan in which you are expecting results…  Not having a great design is like trying to take a test without studying, or writing an article without research.  Do you build a house without a plan?  No – landscaping can be just as involved, and just as important to have a great design.

I want an incredible Arizona backyard, and was wondering about your Phoenix landscape design services….   Unique is one of the only companies that offers both POOL and LANDSCAPE design services to our clients.  Most projects have swimming pools, and every project needs some sort of Phoenix landscaping.  Why not have it all done together, and all part of a master plan?!  This philosophy is what we have built Unique Landscapes around (along with Unique Custom Pools, LLC.)  Our landscape designers are professional, low-pressure, and truly have the best interest of our clients in mind.  My landscape designers do get paid a commission for sold jobs, but their base salaries are there so that they don’t have to result in being pushy, or selling products to clients that are unnecessary.  I personally look over each project for some of the basic fundamentals of Phoenix landscape design – and I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THEM TOO!

Thank you for your interest in Unique Landscapes by Griffin

Chris Griffin, Pres.

 

 

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Phoenix Landscape Design

Unique Landscapes is your best bet for Phoenix landscape design, because of one simple fact that we can design the entire backyard, pool, patio and Phoenix swimming pool & landscape design.

AutoCAD Phoenix landscape design

AutoCAD Phoenix landscape design3D Landscape & Pool Design for a Phoenix Project

Contact Unique Landscapes for a free design consultation to see how we can add “value” to your next project. Let us know how to earn your business!

Chris Griffin, Pres.
Unique Landscapes & Unique Custom Pools, LLC

3D Landscape & Pool Design in Phoenix, AZ.

3D Landscape & Pool Design in Phoenix, AZ.

Landscape Lighting Design in 3D Landscape Design

Landscape Lighting Design in 3D Landscape Design

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Arizona Landscape Design & Phoenix Landscape Plans

A great Arizona Landscape Design is the single best investment on a sizeable project when considering a pool, patio, landscaping and entertainment features – such as a barbeque, fireplace, pergola or waterfeature. A good outdoor/landscape designer will take all aspects of what the client is trying to achieve, and encorporate that into a creative, effective, and useable design.

By taking into account the way our clients will use their outdoor space, Unique Landscapes excels in developing

An example of how our landscape designers took advantage of views, placement & materials in this Chandler, AZ Project.

An example of how our landscape designers took advantage of views, placement & materials in this Chandler, AZ Project.

 sustainable outdoor environments with creativity and pizzazz! Combined with artistic features, current technology, the latest trends, and a workable budget – Landscape and Pool Design is the single largest “step” in an outdoor project – meanwhile requiring the smallest monetary investment (A great landscape & pool plan can start with as little as a $500 investment – while more detailed plans can require closer to $1500 – a small price to pay to have something professionally put into a presentation for customer approval and precise construction)

Why is Unique different? Most landscape companies are not very good at landscape design – and don’t understand the fundamentals of great architecture, layout, and quality. However, Phoenix contains some really creative and bright landscape designers that have tremendous plant, tree, hardscape & layout qualities. The problem? Most landscapes involve a swimming pool, spa or outdoor structure – and a good landscape designer is usually very inexperienced in these features (and most have no business designing them). On the flip side – using a master pool designer to recommend landscaping, plants, trees, fireplaces, masonry & entertainment areas is like having a SUSHI chef try to slow cook Texas Barbeque (it just doesn’t work!) The solution – Unique Companies offers Phoenix, Scottsdale and surrounding areas a COMPLETE landscape & pool design portfolio that encompasses the best of both projects. Unique designers are highly qualified and experienced in all aspects of outdoor construction – including swimming pools, spas, fireplaces, patios, masonry, Arizona landscaping, waterfeatures and more! We have designers with different levels of experience too – and for the best overall outcome, the most challenging projects require the undivided attention of our owner, Chris Griffin (civil engineer AND landscape/pool designer).

An example of a Phoenix Landscape & Pool Design in 3D - Seeing a project before you buy makes for setting great expectations!

An example of a Phoenix Landscape & Pool Design in 3D - Seeing a project before you buy makes for setting great expectations!

Unique Landscapes and Unique Custom Pools is the perfect fit for most clients, since nearly every project in Arizona contains a swimming pool and landscaping. From design – we head directly into the landscape & pool construction of the project, and get the job done in 1/2 the time that it takes when working with 2 seperate companies. Find out more how Unique can assist in all aspect of pool remodel design ideas, new pool design, swimming pool design, landscape and pool design, and more!

Contact us today! UNIQUE COMPANIES
Unique Landscape By Griffin
Unique Custom Pools
480.969.1911

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