One 12 Landscaping

Modern architecture demands modern landscaping. This boldly unique Celtic Works house doesn’t have it but we are working on changing all of that.
Pulling the simple straight line, square architecture out into the landscape with a bold pergola extending from the house and rectangular concrete pads for a path brings this whole property together while accenting the strong features on this house.

With spring just around the corner, it’s a good time to talk about outdoor rooms. Interest in these spaces surged around 2020 as people spent more time at home and began rethinking how they used their outdoor areas. When done well, outdoor rooms add real value, functionally and privacy. They can be spaces for entertaining, relaxing, or retreating, and the best ones have a quiet, romantic pull that keeps drawing you back. As with any landscape investment, placement, design, and functionality will determine whether the space succeeds or disappoints. Most of the time, these space are left incomplete and lack the impact homeowners’s were desiring.

Placement comes first. The space should be easy to access but still feel intimate. If it’s too hidden, it won’t get used; too exposed, and it loses its charm. Ideally, an outdoor room connects naturally to a main pathway, patio, or deck. Ground-level or slightly sunken spaces often feel more enclosed and inviting.

Functionality is just as critical. Decide how the space will be used—outdoor kitchen, fire pit, lounge, or reading nook. This defines the size, shape, and layout and prevents costly regrets later.

Design creates the atmosphere. Successful outdoor rooms feel enclosed without feeling trapped. Trees, arbors, and thoughtfully scaled plantings act as walls and ceilings. A general rule rule of 3:1 length-to-height ratio feels open and comfortable; 1:1 creates intimacy but only when plant choices are right.

Finally, lighting makes the space usable at night and sets the mood while elevating it to a whole new level.

Don’t leave your outdoor investments to any landscaper or AI program when it takes a desiner to make it all come together.