What is Your Style?

I get asked this question more often than not, and my answer is a bit different each time.
I usually begin by stating what is NOT our style... the Neo-Tuscan fantasy that has swept the country. Tell me, why does everyone want a Tuscan Villa?
At Falling Waters Landscape Inc. (FWLI) we approach each design from the same angle....what is the style of the house or building? When was it built? Is there a view? What is the ultimate goal of the outdoor space? The landscape needs to be an extension of the home it surrounds. Thus, there is only so much modernization a 90's tract home can withstand. This being said we have several tricks to make a not-so-modern home a little more stylish.
- No more than 10-15 species of plants in the landscape.
- Repetition of plant material allows the eye to rest
- Use of color should be limited to one or two accent colors, including hard scape
- Soften hard surfaces with ornamental grasses
- Always have something edible, and try to incorporate a vegetable garden
- If the space is flat, create elevation
- Introduce a water feature
- Create an outdoor room
- Repeat spacial relationships, even if no one will notice but you
- Reduce lawn areas and use drought tolerant plants....no they do NOT need to be natives

We try to implement these ideas on each project while taking the approach that every home or building is unique and requires a thoughtful design. And in every project the goal is not only to create a beautiful space NOW, but to create a space that will grow and mature and only get better.

So whats my style? San Diego Modern, of course