Tag Archives: Landscape Design

How to Create a Relaxing Backyard Oasis

Caught in our busy lives, it can be difficult to find the time or place around our homes to simply relax and recharge. But this “oasis” at home is more attainable than you think, and it could be hiding right in your backyard!

Your yard may seem like nothing special now, but the possibilities are practically limitless.This can sometimes feel overwhelming to homeowners, and that’s where our decades of experience help — you don’t have to imagine all the possibilities or know what you want — we’ll help figure that out.

Edward Gosman & Associates is the trusted choice for landscape improvement projects throughout Hampton Roads. Here are a few of the ways we have helped our clients find more peace and relaxation in their outdoor spaces.

  1. Incorporate water features.  For centuries, cultures around the world have used flowing water for its calming effects. A small pond, a fountain, a swimming pool or hot tub can give your backyard a spa-like feel. backyard pond water feature

  2. Invest in comfortable seating. Outdoor seating doesn’t mean you need to compromise comfort.  There are plenty of options for chairs, benches, and chaise lounges with cushions to match your style, while also being cozy and weatherproof! Add a small café table and you have the perfect spot for a cup of coffee or glass of wine.

  3. Take the inside outdoors. One of the most functional ways to create an outdoor living space is by bringing elements of the kitchen or living room outside.  Custom designed fire pits are growing in popularity for a reason – they allow families and groups of friends to gather and have fun, no matter the season!dscn1817

  4. Light up the night. When the sun goes down, you don’t need to go indoors. There are all kinds of varieties of outdoor lighting options that can be added to your landscape. From string lighting, automated or solar-powered lights, ceiling fixtures, spotlights and so much more, we’re happy to help you decide the best ways to add safety and ambiance to your yard.

Think of your patio or backyard as an extension of your indoor spaces, rather than areas completely separate from the home. If you’re gathering with the family, entertaining guests, or simply enjoying some quiet time to read or rest, there is nothing quite as relaxing as fresh air and the sounds of nature. By keeping the above list in mind, you’l10371369_10152246400741194_6491068410904759942_nl always have a retreat available to you by simply stepping outside!

If you’re ready to begin making your yard your own personal oasis, give our expert team a call for a free landscape design estimate: (757) 421-2500

Hard Time with Hardscapes? Create Harmony with Transition Zones

It happens all the time. Homeowners call us after trying their hand at a major landscape or hardscape overhaul themselves, and they tell us their struggle with making their desired landscape “flow.”

Perhaps they live on a waterfront property, have a sloped yard or simply want to incorporate several different outdoor elements. No matter the landscape, transition areas help make a yard look its best because they offer gradual, rather than abrupt, changes.

Patio bricks installation. Pavers in a circular pattern.

Our team embraces this challenge – in fact, it’s what we do best! We have over 35 years of experience helping homeowners implement a well-thought-out plan so their yard stands out beautifully.

Here are a few example scenarios of how we can help ease transition zones in your yard:

Having a Hard Time Planning Hardscapes?

The key to successfully incorporating hardscape materials like rocks, patios, stones, walkways and more into your yard, is to remember flow of movement. Think of how people will walk through (and how their eyes will move across) your yard. An apron of bricks or a different stone can help break up the start of a walkway against a driveway or patio. A curved walkway adds flow and charm to a garden, and patio blocks and pavers can be arranged in any number of designs. A stunning hardscape transition zone can make a big difference on the look of your entire landscape.1451484_10151828813871194_132310400_n

Merging Different Elements

Your lush, green lawn and carefully planned beds of flowers and shrubs don’t have to stand apart from each other. A beautiful yard incorporates elements that blend the areas where different materials meet – from patio to grass, water to lawn, flowers to hardscapes, and more.

Garden edging, whether with rocks, bricks, natural stone or cobble, creates a nice link between planted beds and surrounding patios or grass. Incorporate both hardscape and softscape elements for a properly balanced landscape.  A fountain will stand out when surrounded by perennials. A retaining wall is enhanced by flowering shrubs.

These are projects best left to the pros, and the experts at Edward Gosman & Associates can point you in the right direction in regards to optimal layout, path width, slope and placement of hardscape elements.

Creating harmony in your yard means looking at the big picture as well as the individual parts. The landscape design and installation team at Edward Gosman & Associates has been working with Hampton Roads homeowners for over thirty-five years to create yards that are stunning (and functional!) works of art. When you’re ready to resolve the design challenges in your yard, give us a call at (757) 421-2500 for a free, no-obligation estimate!

Why Wait Until Summertime to Spruce up Your Yard?

Every summer, warm weather and sunshine brings homeowners out into their yards, where they realize the improvements they want to make to their landscape. Perhaps you need expert advice on how to incorporate the right native plants to thrive in your yard, or maybe it’s time for a complete landscape overhaul. Although our skilled staff is fully capable of building the landscape of your dreams any month of the year, it is best to start thinking about your landscape now!

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At Edward Gosman & Associates, we believe in taking care of our customers. We walk your property, share our ideas for its potential and ask questions about your lifestyle – all as part of a conversation to better understand your dream for the space. With over 35 years in the business, we help you imagine the possibilities and develop a plan to see them through.

We have helped countless families in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk and surrounding areas discover the true beauty of their yards through adding the right elements to your existing spaces. With plants, hardscapes, lighting and more, we specialize in all aspects of maintenance to keep your yard looking wonderful.

During the late winter and early spring, our designers can spend more time working with you to create a unique design for your yard because we are not spending as much time overseeing construction projects. Beat the rush that normally occurs at the first signs of spring, and take a look at your yard now to make those improvements you’ve been dreaming about a reality.

Depending on the complexity of your project, winter allows us ample time to order specialized materials and, in some cases, start constructing hardscape elements. While we take pride in our track record of tidy worksites that have minimal impact to the yards of homeowners, we know most people would prefer to not have their yard under construction during the months they want most to be outside!

Don’t wait until mid-spring to decide you want to improve your landscape. Call Edward Gosman & Associates at (757) 421-2500 to start your landscape design project now for beautiful results you can enjoy the entire year!