Upcoming project

This is a great project that Blue Water Pools and Apex Landscape started in the fall and will be completing this spring/summer.  It is an existing home that we are adding a pool, pool house and new landscaping to.  To create architectural interest with the pool we raised the north edge and placed a fire pit in the center of the patio.  We are also facing the raised pool wall with Chilton which matches the homes existing stone facade. Within the raised wall we are placing power falls to provide ambient noise and a fun water feature for everyone to enjoy. The pool also includes an auto cover, tanning shelf, custom steps and two deep end swim outs.  We have also placed a pool house on the west side of the pool.  This will have a kitchen, covered seating area with fire place and an outdoor shower.  The pool house will also provide an area to change, complete with lockers.  The landscape features a natural stone path and steps that lead form the front yard to the pool area.  The plant selections provide a great deal of texture and color.  This project will provide great areas for sun bathing, relaxing, entertaining, and just plain having fun.   For more details or to find out how you can have a peaceful retreat in your back yard like this contact Apex Landscape today.  

Great Design

This is a design concept that I think is great. The clean & contemporary lines are very well executed. I like how the home, the pool and the landscape flow together as one. This is how a project can turnout when all the facets of design and concepting are done together. This project really takes into consideration the natural environment and combines it seamlessly with the other elements of the project. Feel free to share your thoughts with me on this style of project. This is something we are not typically privy to seeing here in West Michigan.

This is a picture from a project that Devore Associates out of Connecticut designed.  I am a fan of their work and especially like this particular project.  Note the balance of form and nature.  Taking a man made space and relating to the natural environment is perfectly done here.  I love the use of Lavender in this design as well as the beautifully executed blue stone & turf patio area.  Those elements look very nice together.   I think this is  a great example of creating beauty and detail without overdoing it. Sometimes designers get carried away with too many plant and hardscape material selections.   

Why am I writing a post about Volvo?

Volvo recently came out with a new model in the US, the C30. I have always been a fan of small, quick and responsive cars. Of course when I saw this car I was immediately impressed by it. I think is has great styling and it packs a lot of punch for a small car. When I started to do a little bit more research I found that Volvo is a pretty innovative company and they are really a pioneer in the automotive business. I have always known them to be some of the safest cars on the road but they are much more than that. In an age were people want value and efficiency and of course sustainability I think Volvo is doing a pretty good job. Unfortunately the DRIVe versions are not available in the U.S. yet. So to answer the question; I think that Volvo's are pretty cool and doing a good job of becoming more "green".