Hidden within the brick party walls of this Georgetown home, the design team pulled out all the stops on this garden. The house, itself, has wonderful historic character with modern touches and finishes throughout. The garden was completely re- envisioned with only one existing Pine tree remaining in place. With clients who have a […] The post Georgetown Secret Garden appeared first on D. A. Dunlevy ..read more

Our clients from Woodbine, Maryland requested the design and construction of a new backyard entertainment area with the unique focus of integrating a conversation-piece swimming pool. The overarching goal was to create a space for friends and family to gather that was modern and clean to meet their personal design aesthetic while blending with their existing farmhouse and rural setting. Our client’s focal priority, and our first challenge, was to decide on a vessel for the swimming pool that would be out of the ordinary and one of a kind – something that was modern, yet made to work in the cou ..read more

It’s the perfect time of year to recognize one of our favorite indoor plants – the Poinsettia! Euphorbia pulcherrima is a tropical plant native to Mexico. A widely popular indoor plant used for holiday displays, the Poinsettia comes in a variety of colors, including shades of red, white, and pink. Available in a wide range of pot sizes, it’s a great house plant for decorating with during the holidays! Light Needs: Indirect sunlight Watering Needs: Moderate watering Average Size: 3′ – 10′ full grown, but most often seen in small pot sizes Why we love this plant: What’s not t ..read more

Pine trees are immediately what come to mind when most people think of Christmas trees. But a visit to a local tree farm will prove there are several varieties that grow in our area, and each one has its own unique features. Not sure which one to buy? We’ve put together some information on the most popular trees in our area to help you make the perfect choice this holiday season. Fraser Fir This tree is dark blue-green in color with short, soft needles. Fraser Firs tend to stand apart from other tree choices because of the silvery color to the underside of its needles. It’s a popular choice ..read more

  Around this time of year, we are thinking about YEWs. With all the leaves off the trees and all the perennials gone to bed, the evergreen shrubs take the cold winter months as time to show off. They provide structure for the garden throughout the rest of the year, but now they strut their stuff. Hedges can be YEWsed (used) to separate garden beds (short), garden rooms (medium), or as screening (tall). They can be kept simple, or made to be a feature. Yews (plants in the botanical genus Taxus) are one of our favorite evergreen shrubs because they are so versatile. Not many evergreens are as f ..read more

You’re probably thinking this blog is going to talk all about why landscaping is a great investment and how wonderful it will look. But it’s really all about actual landscaping rocks. Rocks can be incorporated into landscape design ideas in many ways, adding texture or functionality. Take a look at some of these: Pea Gravel Small pebble-sized rocks make for a great element base or as low maintenance walkways. Delaware Riverstone A mix of smooth, 2″ to 6″ stones provide interest, especially when concealing a drainage area in the yard. Fieldstone Available in a wide range of sizes, small s ..read more

It’s wintertime now and it’s important to dress properly so that you can protect yourself from the elements. It may seem like a strange connection, but dressing appropriately for the cold reminded me of the principles that are applied when dealing with foundation waterproofing. Let me explain… Protecting a foundation is a process completed in layers. Homes that are built today are equipped with substantially more layers than homes from 20 or 30 years ago. Compared to the homes of 60+ years ago (when basements were not designed to be living spaces) modern foundations look like armored tanks nex ..read more

One of our favorite parts of the holiday season is decorating! We love seeing the houses that are lit up with colorful lights, stairways draped in evergreen garland, mistletoe hung in the doorway, and a beautiful Christmas tree at the center of it all! When it comes to decorating, you can buy most anything at the stores, both live and artificial. But, creating your own genuine evergreen holiday decor can be a simple holiday craft (and cost effective!) using plants found in your own landscape. Gathering greenery from your garden will be more fresh than if you were to purchase it from a store. U ..read more

Succulents have been popular since about 2010 and they continue to be a steadfast décor element in fashion, the wedding industry, interior design, and landscape architecture. There are so many reasons to love succulents! They are easy to maintain and require less fuss than most other houseplants. Plus, there are a wide range of succulent varieties, shapes, and growing habits for any look and feel. For instance, pairing cacti with kilim pillows, a crisp white wall, and a terra cotta pot easily creates a picture-perfect bohemian look. String of Pearls look phenomenal in a hanging basket in your ..read more

Summer is in full swing, and with July 4th quickly approaching, we’re thinking outdoor living spaces, barbecues, and beautiful fireworks! What better way than to celebrate the national holiday than by relaxing on your flagstone patio, grilling, and kicking back with family and friends? Flagstone is a popular choice for patios, porches, and walkways because of its durability and natural beauty. But once your material is chosen, how do you decide what pattern to use? That determination will take into consideration the style of your home, but it will mostly be based on your personal preference. H ..read more