Landscape Planning in Winter
If you’ve promised yourself that this spring you’ll begin creating the outdoor environment you want, here’s a tip.
There’s no need to wait until the ground is no longer cold.
“People think they can’t begin landscape planning until the ground is perfect,” says Dave Stockwell, owner of Deck and Patio. “But if you wait until all the snow melts and the weather is finally warm, you could find yourself behind a big queue for a landscaper’s attention.”
Google Earth App
Believe it or not, experts like those at Deck and Patio don’t need to see the ground to begin planning a project. Granted, it is helpful to see close up an existing patio or pool that’s being upgraded or replaced. But much of our planning can be done through surveys and Google Earth.
Sure, you may be thinking. Deck and Patio can see under the snow and imagine the possibilities of a backyard refurbishment, but how does a non-expert grasp what it all will look like?
“It’s understandable that a homeowner would not want to proceed blind,” adds Dave. “And they don’t need to. Through computer animation, we’re able to work up a plan in 3-D that gives a good approximation of what the finished job will look like. There’s no need to rely on one’s imagination.”
How Computer Animation Helps
Backyard 3-D Animation Plan
Completed Backyard Upgrade
Sometimes a backyard 3-D animation (top left) not only helps show what the yard will look like — including from different perspectives — it also allows for tweaking and changes as the project goes along.
In the case of this Long Island, NY, project (top right), the property had existing patios and a pool. The key was to decide what to keep and what to remove. One part of the design expanded the original confining upper and lower patios into both shady and sunny expansive areas. This also helped open up the space to allow unobstructed views of Long Island Sound.
In addition, Deck and Patio upgraded their pool and spa and added colorful plants and flowers to enhance these vistas.
For the following homeowners, 3-D renderings helped in a slightly different way.
After work began, when their yard was full of piles of dirt and stones, they panicked. But the 3-D animation really helped show how their original very flat property would be made to appear larger once different patio levels were created.
In addition, they could clearly see what their backyard would look like from the deck and various parts of their house. Here is a photo of the completed project:
Pre-spring Landscape Planning for Backyard Upgrade
Every aspect of the following backyard paradise — infinity (vanishing edge) pool, custom in-ground spa, swim up-walk up bar, pond/waterfalls upgrade, extensive patio, and outdoor kitchen was first done on a 3-D animation program that allowed our clients to literally fly over and walk around this project —even their gas campfires.
This especially helped them appreciate the water-to-water views they would experience from the pool and spa.
Deck and Patio Project Using 3-D Animation
Here’s hoping some of the above has started your creative juices flowing.
