Centerpieces for your outdoor living space

Spring in the Hudson Valley is an exciting time of the year as it is the season when many gorgeous flowers come back to face the world. Since the options are fresh and fragrant, it’s the perfect time to go all out and have breathe-taking centerpieces regardless of whether you have a special occasion or not. Here are some ideas for great specific flower choices, as well as combinations that can be used to create a centerpiece that will bring your NY landscape to life.

 

Tulips

Tulips are not symbolic of spring for no reason. The blooming and bright flowers have a way of breathing in life wherever they are used and will definitely look dazzling when used for your outdoor living centerpiece.

 

Lilacs

Lilacs are simply remarkable flowers that have a billowing effect while providing magnificent color. You can either use one color hue or go for a variation of subtle tones that are ideal if you are looking to have a layered, painterly arrangement. All you have to do is gather blooms in three hues and organize them by color gradation for an outstanding look.

 

Grape hyacinth

A sweet-smelling flower with a conspicuous blue color. These offer a unique look as they appear to have a grape or balloon-like look. These are bound to look fabulous regardless of the type of vase they are presented in.

Try these combinations: Daffodils + crocus;  Roses + peonies + lavender  

5 Ways To Create A Cozy Hudson Valley Outdoor Room

A beautiful landscape is without a doubt an amazing addition to any Dutchess or Orange County, NY home. In fact, creating an outdoor oasis that would leave your neighbors green with envy is really all in the details. 

We all know that outdoor living spaces are very useful in the morning and afternoon when the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. But what happens when night descends? That beautiful outdoor room doesn’t stop being a great addition to your entertaining space. The solution to continuing the fun long into the night is fusing the coziness of the inside of your home, with the breathtaking beauty and openness of the Hudson Valley outdoors.

Below are 5 ways you can achieve this amazing dream outdoor living space.

1. Outdoor Furniture and Outdoor Living Accessories

The first and most obvious way of creating a fantastic outdoor space is by adding pieces of furniture, such as chairs, tables, and even a large sofa. This not only opens up your space by extending your home, it also ensures that you can eat, relax, and catch up with family and friends outdoors.

You can accessorize this space with items such outdoor rugs, pillows, weather proof TVs, potted plants, outdoor artwork and even a mini-bar. - Photo courtesy of Unilock.

2. Patio Heaters

One of the main reasons people prefer to stay indoors during the spring and fall is the warmth found inside a house. You can now bring this warmth outside by adding a portable heater to your outdoor space.

Thanks to the advancements in portable heaters you can choose from a variety of designs and colors that will meet the style you have chosen for your Dutchess County outdoor space. Alternatively, you can opt to put in a fire pit, fireplace or heat lamp. - Photo courtesy of Unilock.

3. Landscape Lighting in the Hudson Valley

No one really enjoys groping around in the darkness or squinting to see the other person’s face, and that is why you should incorporate landscape lighting into your Orange County, NY landscape design.

This can come in the simple form of candles, but for a more long-term solution you can choose hanging string lights, lanterns, pathway lights, and spotlights. Aesthetic appeal and safety are great results.  - Photo courtesy of Cast Lighting.

4. Built-in Grill and Outdoor Kitchen

We all love to eat, and some of us love to cook. But why cook inside when you can grill outside? By building an outdoor kitchen you can create a space where you can prepare and cook food even as you socialize with others.

Additionally, your grill area can be customized to meet your cooking needs, budget, and size requirements—perfectly complimenting your Hudson Valley landscaping. - - Photo courtesy of Brown Jordan.

5. Water Features

There is something very relaxing and refreshing about water, and if your budget allows for it you should definitely add a water feature to your landscape.This can come in the form of a small fountain, water garden with Koi fish, or an elaborate pondless waterfall with custom pavers and retaining walls. - Photo courtesy of Unilock.

As you can see, finding inspiration for your outdoor living space and landscape design has never been easier. By including some or all of the elements, you can create your own piece of outdoor heaven this season. So go ahead and begin planning the cozy outdoor space for your Hudson Valley home!

Related: How much will my Dutchess County landscaping project cost?

Looking for more information on how to create the perfect outdoor living space?

Check this guide out with tips on choosing the right paver material, designing the right size space with the perfect features, staying on budget, and choosing a contractor. It's jam-packed with great stuff!

Making Your Beautiful Pool Fun For Kids

Swimming is a fun, relaxing activity. It gets even better when you have your kids splashing all around. As many homeowners in Dutchess County and the surrounding Hudson Valley areas start to plan their summer pool space, whether it’s a redesign or a brand new pool, it’s important to think about benefits for both the adults and children. After considering safety, make sure that you have integrated kid friendly activities in your pool design. Here are some starting points to make sure your whole family enjoys your water space this summer.

1. Fountains

A fountain is a great increment to the beauty of a pool. Regardless of age, people feel drawn to fountains and you can install one inside the pool itself or in the surrounding area.  If you decide to put your fountain on the deck or patio near the pool, it can create a jet water into the pool in a curved trajectory, creating not only a fun place for kids to be, but also a very attractive sight.

2. Water slides

Fun for kids and adults, this addition will surely be valuable.  If its a detached slide, make sure it's designed to be used in the pool to promote smooth sliding and soft landing. This is so that you have the right slide construction – including appropriate height. A great way to add style to the slide is by integrating it with the pool design - such as building it an inlay of stone. This also provides a more natural look. 

3. Depth

Consider a wide range of depths in your pool. You want a deep edge to allow for safe jumping as well as a shallow end to create a safer environment for small children. This shallow end also has some other benefits – making it easier for kids to enter/exit a pool and provide space for kids that don’t like deep water, whether they are good swimmers or not. The ends of the pool should also be made of a material that is not slippery, in such a way that kids have something to hang on to incase of danger.

4. Waterfalls

Kids and adults alike are awed by waterfalls. Incorporating a waterfall into the design of your pool will attract kids to swim, promote a relaxing environment, and provide as aesthetically pleasing area. Many homeowners like to place the waterfall in the shallow end of a pool to enhance the design for style and function. There are many creative design ideas that you can explore to make a pool suit your needs and those of your family. 

Visit us this weekend at the Orange County Home Show in Middletown, NY

During this first spring weekend, Harmony Hill Landscaping will be at the Orange County Home Show in Middletown, NY. We invite you to come visit us! Every year at the home show, we meet many existing and new clients to start talking about their outdoor design plans. With inspirational brochures, an outdoor living area setup, and samples of material choices  - this is a great opportunity to meet in person.

The show dates/times are:
Friday, March 20th: 3pm to 9pm
Saturday, March 21st: 10am to 8pm
Sunday, March 22nd: 10am to 6pm

Location:
SUNY Orange-Orange County Community College-Physical Education Bldg  
115 South Street, Middletown NY 10940 

Admission at the door only (cash only): 
Adult: $6.00
Junior (10yrs - 15yrs): $3.00
Children under 10 FREE when accompanied by a parent

5 Reasons to Consider a Pergola in your Outdoor Space

Image from outdoorrooms.com.

Having a pergola installed in your outdoor living space not only adds an elegant touch, but also provides necessary shade while still allowing the fresh air breeze. Simple outdoor structures, pergolas do not have walls or a solid roof, and can be freestanding, or attached to the side of a home. Their architectural beauty and several practical uses have made them very popular among Hudson Valley homeowners. If you're considering adding a pergola to your backyard outdoor living space, here's what you stand to gain.

 

1. Protection From The Scorching Sun

Though a typical pergola doesn't provide you with total shade, the beams or lattice at the top do provide some relief from the scorching sun. You can also use a lightweight covering—often made from outdoor fabrics from Sunbrella—to create a solid shade, while still maintaining its traditional appeal. 

2. A Defined Space in the Great Outdoors

Other than roof beams and pillars, pergolas usually include some type of flooring (concrete pavers from companies like Unilock or wooden decking). If your yard is filled with only grass and plants, having a pergola installed can help create a more defined outdoor space for entertainment, relaxation and dining. Add some screens or drapes, and you'll create even more privacy from the public view.

3. Space for Growing Plants

If you love sprucing up your backyard with plants, pergolas with help you do just that. They provide the perfect space for growing vines and other plants that need support such as ivy, hops, grapes, clematis and wisteria among others. Climbing plants not only provide shade during hot days, but also add a beautiful view and privacy to your yard. And if space is already an issue in your yard, you can grow your plants vertically with pergolas.

4. Works in Sync with Other Structures

To get the best from your pergola, consider using it as a lead-in to other structures like verandas and gazebos. For instance, when it's attached to your home (around the front door area), it can create a leafy, welcoming path for your family and guests, besides providing protection from rain, sun and wind.

5. Increased Value To Your Home

Having a pergola installed can create visual interest to an otherwise vanilla landscape, especially if you have fragrant flowering plants and vines growing over the rafters and along the vertical posts. You can also hang planters and other design elements from the rafters to make it even more appealing. As already mentioned above, this outdoor structure is more than just a beautiful relaxing and entertaining space; the growing plants around it provide shade, improve air quality and block unsightly views. All these factors when combined help to improve the value of your property. Your home will attract more buyers and a better price when it's time