by Jay Eriv

Every day for the past 35 years, I have had the good fortune to be able to wake up in the morning and do something that I love to do: I create Outdoor Garden Rooms.

A landscape architect must first properly develop a Master Plan, to ensure each property reaches its fullest potential. I, however, am most passionate about finishing an outdoor garden room with plants. No one would disagree that a room that is not furnished is nothing but empty space with four walls.

Yet, there is not one single point in the design/build process that creates the key transforming "wow" factor. You must include every piece of the puzzle. That last piece may be found in the mystery within the shadows of low-voltage lighting or the tranquility obtained from a waterfall cascading into a natural ecosystem pond. The last elusive secret to transforming an outdoor garden room into a magical space could be serenading music from inside simultaneously coming through rock speakers hidden within the garden. The interplay among these features makes the line that separates the outdoor living space from indoors disappear. As a result, the garden room often becomes the favorite room in the house. A very naturalistic style brings out a simple, but sophisticated scene. The garden should be an extension of the home that provides another place to live and not just an accent to the house. A backyard retreat becomes an entertainment space that brings people together. Lighting dramatically brings the garden alive after dusk, extending the time that can be spent outdoors. Views should be enjoyed from the inside and out. Considerations can include how to creatively use wood, metal and stone within the landscape. Seamless placement of the landscape and hardscape can be planned by a certified landscape architect. Essential elements in designing a serene setting could include perennial gardens, walls, in-ground swimming pool, spa, terraces, outdoor kitchen, pergola, gazebo, patio, fireplace, deck, pathways, fencing, driveway, arbors and water features including ponds, waterfalls or streams and outdoor rock speakers.

Place emphasis on a sensible low-maintenance design using sustainable plantings. The garden should offer a dynamic change celebrating the rhythms of the seasons offering places of interest and beauty year-roundñeven in winter, with delightful berries and bark. Consider attracting wildlife such as birds, butterflies or hummingbirds in the landscape or turtles, frogs or dragonflies around a pond. Your outdoor garden room can offer cut flowers to bring indoors or fresh-picked herbs that become part of a memorable meal. A musky fragrance can hang in the air or bold forms and textures can be created by ever changing complimentary perennial foliage growing near a patch of ornamental grasses. Evergreens and trees may anchor the space and allow for some privacy and shade within a more intimate setting. All of these subtleties emerge with a strong presenceñthe overall design is more than the sum of its parts.

A more sophisticated plant palette can be chosen including water-wise native plantings. The swaying of large ornamental grasses in the wind creates soothing sounds and peaceful movement. A waterfall cascading into a natural ecosystem pond brings tranquility. Choose perennial and ground cover plantings with an emphasis on length of bloom and interesting foliage appeal. Bed lines should be delineated and contoured in a pleasing manner. Screened topsoil can be added to new planting beds to create a layered, raised-bed effect set amongst rock boulders, perhaps contrasted with smaller river rock gravel. Niches between boulders create attractive informal planting pockets. Beds can then be mulched as a finished top dress. Other finishing touches can include outdoor patio furniture of wood or wrought iron, decorative containers and even garden art and other accessories like statuary, fountains, wind chimes, trellis and gazing balls.

Next month's article will cover specific techniques and plant choices that create the look and feel you want for your outdoor garden room, plus what to expect from your contractor.