Amazing Landscape Transformations
Hillside Landscaping - Front Yards - Backyards - Waterfalls - Ponds
I recently came across this set of videos and felt they were worth mentioning here in the area of landscaping slopes and hillsides. While both videos cover 65 incredible design ideas, the majority of the videos display the most creative use of man made retaining wall blocks and natural boulders. There are also some of the most creative examples I've seen for landscaping slopes and hillsides.
You'll find these videos at amazon.com for $24.97 each Volume 1 At Amazon , Volume 2 At Amazon . However, you can get them here for $19.97 each and shipping is included in the price.
From a do it yourself standpoint, retaining wall blocks are a good choice as design and building elements. For one, projects and landscapes created with them are do-able. Another thing is that they come in a variety of colors and styles that will match or compliment almost any home or exterior.
From elaborate to simple terracing, most of the ideas in these DVD's are for average size landscapes. Some of the examples are quite large and elaborate but could be scaled down to fit smaller areas. See DVD Cover #2 Enlarged.
Keep in mind, I've created a fairly good directory of free pictures and ideas in the gallery sloped, terraced, and hillside landscaping. I suggest you look there first for ideas that might work for you. Again, I just felt these were worth mentioning because the ideas are so unique, creative, and do-able.
Before I go on. These aren't "how to" guides that will teach you how to do specific landscaping projects. They are simply finished design ideas from the portfollio of Paul Nordmark. If you live in or around southern California, you've probably heard of him or have seen his work. I like Paul's work because his ideas are as do-able as they are unique and creative. Some of the larger projects may require some assistance. But for the most part, the average do it yourselfer and homeowner can put these together.
With just a few words and pictures, you'll get a good idea of the importance of "vision". For instance, simple placements of rocks and boulders that appear uninteresting, are transformed over time into works of art as plants grow in and complete the picture. With true age progression of some of these designs, you'll understand how some designs that look so elaborate and complicated are actually quite simple and random underneath it all.
I think it's also quite interesting (and economical) how Paul can design one area of a yard and it tranforms the entire visible landscape. He can design around one area like the front entryway, sidewalk, group of trees, or even the center of the yard, and it transforms the entire yard around it.
As far as basic non-sloped yard designs, there are a lot of great ideas for accenting walkways, entryways, creating island beds, and foundation bed areas. Again, there is a lot of use of man made retaining wall and common natural elements like landscape rocks and flagstone. All totally do-able.
Ponds And Waterfalls - For me, these aren't the high point of the DVD's. Don't get me wrong on that. This is also some really cool stuff that fits well for the slope and hillside theme. Ponds and waterfalls should probably have their own video though.
If you can't find a good idea in my entire site and you decide to buy these, please let me know what you think of them and how they helped you with your own projects. Also, in my opinion, volume 2 is the better of the two videos. If you just wanted to check out one of these, that would be the one I would get.
Vols. 1 and 2 $38.97
Shipping is included in price within the continental United States.
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