Night at the 2010 Landscape Grammy Awards

Hey Folks………
Well, it’s been a while……so I figured it was time for me to dust off my pen, (yes, I write it all down on paper first), and put some of my ever -racing thoughts out into cyber space to touch base with my fellow landscape buffs!
It’s been hard to contain my excitement over the past week, as I did something that I never before had the time for. No, no,……I didn’t get to that zipline thing I’ve been meaning to do, but I did, finally, submit a design to Landscape Ontario for their annual awards presentations……….and WON!!!!
My wife was not surprised, my staff were not surprised, anyone I’ve done work for, was not surprised. But just let me say……WOW…..was I surprised!
I have been doing this work for 20 years, I love my work and and I am damn passionate and knowledgeable at what I do. I am confident in my work. My knowledge is vast and if there’s something that I don’t know……I'm great at finding the people or persons who do!
So, why then , was I as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs??????
OK….so let me explain to those who might not get it. The Landscape Ontario Awards are equivalent to the “Grammy’s” of landscaping. They are a big deal to those of us who run in the landscaping circles . You can love your own work as much as you like………but when a panel of judges fellow Landscape Professionals and Designers are holding your work up against many other submissions, and they say “We love this one……this one is exceptional! This design is soooo great, that we are going to announce to his peers, that we think this design rocks!” And that, my friends, is as good as it gets!
Over the years I have collected many awards for my work, but they always came to me via the construction of another firm . This time was different. This was an award solely based on my work alone……and that felt good! Toot toot!!! That’s the sound of me tooting my own horn! !!!!! LOL

Creating an Outdoor Room

Imagine sitting with your family or friends in the backyard on summer evening. Steak dinner cooking on the grill, you are gathered around a warm fire in your sunken patio, and the table is set on your flagstone dining room. 

Outdoor spaces can be "Outdoor Living Rooms" and should reflect the interior of your home. It has become a big trend throughout North America that people are turning their back yard decks and patios into outdoor kitchens and living rooms.

Having an experienced Certified Landscape Designer help you create your outdoor living room can be a rewarding experience. If you plan to do any work yourself just keep in mind that it is important to choose proper materials that weather the outdoors.

The hearth of any home entertainment is the kitchen.

Outdoor kitchens encompass the same criteria, a grilling area and eating area, brought together with a fireplace or fire pit area. Like many indoor kitchens outdoor versions can have the same countertop space for food preparation, bar entertainment complete with bar fridges, and plumbing for sinks.

Defining the outdoor space with low walls, benches and border gardens help ties the hardscaping to the surrounding green space. The additional touch of landscape lighting, sculptures and containers give the yard the detail it requires to make your outdoor room to feel like home sweet home.

Check out a Detailed Construction Plan By Dave Maciulis

Why Choose a Certified Landscape Designer

Landscape designers do a lot more than just show you where to plant flowers or how to sculpt your garden beds. They can design intricate patios and decks, plan complex multi level terraced gardens with pergolas, outdoor kitchens and amazing water features.

Certified Landscape Designers are experts in exterior decorating, grading and drainage, horticulture, and basic architectural design. They can combine plants and architecture, while working within a budget.

Certified Landscape Designers have to show proof of education, industry experience, present a portfolio of their own design work for a review and complete a rigorous exam. You defiantly want a professional who knows what they are doing. One good rain storm could flood your house or fill your pool with soil. You might not like spending the money , but if landscaping is not done properly the damage around your home can cost you several of thousands of dollars.

Hiring an experienced Certified Landscape Designer who has the knowledge and experience understands proper techniques in construction and can help you avoid costly mistakes.

By ensuring the most practical solutions for each design challenge, by helping the owner to find the best landscape contractor, through assistance in locating supplies and more, using the services of a CLD will help you achieve the most cost-effective results possible and ensure a well-preforming finished project.

Make sure your Landscape Designer is Certified!

Call To Book an Appointment with Dave Maciulis 

1-905-627-1466