Creating warmth and comfort in your outdoor living spaces

One of the major advantages that indoor spaces have over their outdoor counterparts is the intimacy and warmth created by walls and ceilings. Walls form a backdrop that is sometimes hard to due without when designing outdoor rooms and landscapes here in Orange County, NY. Wide open backyards are wonderful for designing landscapes for the whole family to enjoy, but keep in mind that creating spaces with cozy vibes is important for balance. 

Image by www.outdeco.com

Enter garden screens.

Not used much at all in the Hudson Valley area of NY, these screens—or ‘outdoor walls’—are truly awesome for defining spaces. Integrated with plantings, patios and pathways made of pavers and bluestone, and soft landscape lighting, these garden screens can make all the difference in bringing the wow factor to your landscape design. They are available in ready-made panels with many different material and pattern options to choose from. Custom options are also available for more specific needs and that one-of-a-kind uniqueness that high-end landscapes demand.

Outdoor rooms are growing quickly in popularity in areas across the Hudson Valley like Beacon, Hopewell Junction, and Lagrangeville, NY. The talented landscape design and construction team at Harmony Hill Landscaping in Fishkill, NY specializes in just such creations. Give us a call today to transform your outdoor space into a backyard retreat with all the comforts of indoor living.

Amazing outdoor spaces . . . It's all in the details.

Homeowners in Dutchess and Orange County here in the Hudson Valley area are really desiring  outdoor living spaces that are truly special. And while of course the landscape design, proper installation of elements like patio pavers, and the choice of materials all play a role, sometimes the things that make a space feel inviting and warm are the little things.

So when beginning to plan out your patios, outdoor kitchens, and overall landscape design,(or when looking to bring new life to already existing spaces) be sure to pay attention to the little things. The little meandering light strings, the fence that uses horizontal slats instead of vertical, the extra detail in the pergola post...these are the details that add up to be that magical touch within an outdoor space. 

Happy Outdoor Living! 

3 Tips for Bringing the Indoors Out

Creating the Perfect Patio space is easier than you may think. Here's a few tips for using interior decorating tips for making a stylish and functional outdoor living room.

Patios and decks are a great way to expand the livable space in your Dutchess County or Orange County, NY home. Having your family spill out on the back patio for an alfresco weekday dinner can really add an incredible dimension to life here in the Hudson Valley. But outdoor living spaces can feel cold if comprised of all stone, wood, and earth. So how can you warm them up and bring your indoor style of living to the great outdoors? Here’s 3 easy tips to bring your landscape some love. 

1. Colorful Outdoor Pillows

Stone seatwalls have become very popular as of late and many Dutchess County landscapes are benefitting from the extra seating they can offer. But just like more conventional outdoor furniture like chairs and sofas, cloth and cushion are a necessity for comfort. Be sure to incorporate colorful pillows and seat cushions covered in outdoor fabrics from companies like Sunbrella. 

2. Outdoor Rugs

Patios made from concrete patio pavers from manufacturers like Unilock, Techo-Bloc, and Cambridge are functional, long-lasting, and certainly beautiful. However, if not “softened” by cloth and fabrics they can leave the space feeling a bit cold. Use outdoor rugs on your patio and decks to bring a bit of the indoor comforts to your outside spaces. 

3. Potted Plants

Potted greenery is a great way to add life—quite literally :) — to the outdoor spaces of your Hudson Valley landscape design. While many patios and decks have expansive plantings surrounding them, it’s very helpful to place a few specimen shrubs or trees in oversized pots of varying colors and finishes right on the stone or wood. Connecting to nature while enjoining the sleek lines of pavers and composite decking is the best of both worlds. 

Want more information on creating the perfect patio area?
Check out this free jam-packed guide.

TOP: Images courtesy of Allmodern.com.

3 Tips for choosing a concrete paver for your Hudson Valley patio or walkway.

Just like so many products today, the dizzying options for concrete paver styles from manufacturers like Unilock can be a daunting task. So many catalogs filled with ideas to look through which are fantastic for inspiration, don’t get me wrong. But how do you begin to narrow down the choices to something that you know will match well with your home’s exterior and last forever? Here’s a few tips to get you heading in the right direction. 

1. Look for the Lifetime Guarantee

There are so many manufacturers of concrete paving stones today that offer a wide range of products with differing quality. With all of these quality options there is no reason for homeowners to settle for a product that doesn’t have a lifetime guarantee on the structural integrity of the product. Your Dutchess and Orange County, NY outdoor kitchens, fire pit areas, patios, and walkways will thank you later. 

2. Style Choices

Let’s face it. Just like when deciding on colors and styles for the interior rooms of your home, the style of your patio pavers is crucial to your satisfaction. Many manufacturers offer tools like real outdoor displays, design suggestions, tested combinations, and photo galleries to help homeowners see the different colors, finishes, textures, sizes, and shapes available. Look to tap into the expertise of a landscape contractor for help as these folks design and install these paver materials day in and day out. Take your time and choose pavers that you will be happy living with for years to come. Related: 3 Beautiful Driveway Makeover Tips.

3. Contractors you can trust

Concrete pavers are not very useful unless they are installed correctly. Hiring a landscape professional like the team at Harmony Hill Landscaping in Fishkill, NY to install your paver patio or walkway guarantees that you will be enjoying your landscape for years to come. In fact, it's guaranteed. As Unilock Authorized Contractors, Unilock stands behind our work and warranties it along with us. How's that for piece of mind? Choosing a paver that comes with contractors that you can trust to get the project done right is very important. 

Learn the secrets of the pros and create a dream backyard patio! 
Check out the free jam-packed guide to make it happen.

Outdoor Living, HGTV Dream Home Style

Image Courtesy of HGTV

Designer outdoor living spaces and landscapes have officially come to the center stage, not just here in Dutchess and Orange Counties in the Hudson Valley, but all across the country. And nowhere is this more evident than when taking a quick glimpse of HGTV's Dream Home projects over the last ten years.

While they have always been beautiful and inciting, the early 2000's Dream Homes' outdoor living spaces were comprised of traditional wooden wrap-around porches set with a few adirondack chairs. Fast-forward to today and the stunning evolution of the modern day outdoor living space is amazingly clear.

The design for the 2015 Dream Home has a bluestone patio located off of every major bedroom and the 2014 design included a luxurious outdoor fireplace with a multi-level stone patio. And yes, custom outdoor living and landscape design has arrived to the Hudson Valley area as well.

The installation of concrete pavers, walkways, and retaining walls is really just the start of what the talented team at Harmony Hill Landscaping do everyday. From the design and installation of custom fire pits and outdoor fireplaces to outdoor kitchens complete with pergolas that sit poolside, we are privileged to work on some truly amazing outdoor living projects right here in the Hudson Valley. We will be working in familiar places like Beacon, Hopewell Junction, Lagrangeville, and Fishkill throughout the season and we'll be sure to share some pictures to keep the outdoor inspiration flowing.