Fire Island poses many challenges for creating successful landscapes. Careful planning, preparation and amendments allowed us to create this stunning garden. While there is a lot of symmetry throughout the grounds, the garden still has a casual feel that still captures the feel of the Island. The gardens complement the architecture of the main house, pool house and surrounding patios. Photos by Jeffrey Erb

This sensational Arcadia ranch was completely reimagined for the new homeowners needs and desires. Our design parameters were to create balance, drama, and playfulness with some strategically placed container gardens and landscape amendments peppered throughout. The use of unique and hardy specimen cacti and succulent in combination with blooming perennials and lavenders were forefront in designing the unique statements. Green, dramatic contrast, coupled with softness and balance were used to design this clean, sophisticated look in Arcadia.

Existing dining table and chair were amended and reupholster to give them a more elevated look. The wall color in teal gave this space a cozy feel. Sheer curtains gave the entire dining room a warm feel.

This small space overflows with classic, traditional features and functionality. Included in this back corner of this traditional Bloomfield Hills colonial, we amended a mudroom space to include first floor laundry, and a glamorous, updated powder room. We combined traditional features like marble black and white floors, wainscoting and botanical wallpaper with modern, slimline cabinetry and library lighting. So much attention to detail went into the design and execution of this small but mighty space and the result is a timeless success.

This new house had no landscaping surrounding the property. We amended the existing site material with topsoil and compost, added a stone drip edge along the foundation, placed stepping stones, sodded the front yard, and contracted a paver patio below the porch for a hot tub. In 2015 we completed a backyard renovation to this same property.

This is one of the kids bedrooms. When we framed these spaces we ended up amending the drawings and adding larger closets to these spaces in order to fit built-in closet systems.

This is one of the kids bedrooms. When we framed these spaces we ended up amending the drawings and adding larger closets to these spaces in order to fit built-in closet systems.

This is one of the kids bedrooms. When we framed these spaces we ended up amending the drawings and adding larger closets to these spaces in order to fit built-in closet systems.

Pennsylvania Blue Flagstone patio; part of a larger installation (a lawn conversion) which also included drip irrigation, outdoor LED lighting, soil amendments and new plants.

M J McCabe-Garden Design
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Bridgeport.

This small back yard in Placerville, CA was covered with bark for years. The soil was hard and compacted, so we amended it with lots of organic compost and organic starter fertilizer. The old drainage was filled with mud and ineffective, so we created a dry creek bed which took advantage of the existing outlet to the street. California Native Plants were planted to create a drought tolerant, low maintenance garden which delighted the client.

Initial consult: Dormant New Sod that was installed by the builder in 2016/Dead and damaged. Extremely overloaded with late cool season weeds and transitional warm season weed growth. Extracted soil for soil testing to determine what we'd be working with structure wise and best management practices going forward for the client.

Initial consult: Dormant New Sod that was installed by the builder in 2016/Dead and damaged. Extremely overloaded with late cool season weeds and transitional warm season weed growth. Extracted soil for soil testing to determine what we'd be working with structure wise and best management practices going forward for the client.

Scott & Catherine Buley, HTT&T, High Tech Turf & Trees, LandscapeMakeover.biz, Rain Garden Nursery. As a matter of fact, these protected seed pockets also hold fertilizer, water and soil amendments, reducing concern about irrigation or wind, traffic etc., disturbing the seed or seedlings. By taking one pass at around 4" deep, we bring up perfect aeration plugs, that are further broken up into topdressing when we take a final pass or two, at just 1/2" depth. All the surface depressions are then roughly 1/2" deep, with loosened soft soil and amendments to start the new seedlings. Very few aerators on the market will do this with perfectly vertical "un-crushable" seed pockets. Our aerators weight 1000 lbs. and up, but distribute weight to the tines only, as they have large suspending rollers. Their tines work perfectly vertically, something rental machines inherently can't do. Others place "leaning" plug holes, that crush down sideways under pressure, reducing ultimate seedling survival. We've found and use the largest diameter tines, to create plug pockets capable of growing seedlings for maximum early coverage and survival.

Initial consult: Dormant New Sod that was installed by the builder in 2016/Dead and damaged. Extremely overloaded with late cool season weeds and transitional warm season weed growth. Extracted soil for soil testing to determine what we'd be working with structure wise and best management practices going forward for the client.

A required drainage berm was amended with great soil and planted with traditional garden plants, xeric shrubs, and edible plants. The berm creates a nice backdrop for a small sitting area.

Iris ensata 'Variegata' and 'Golden Pacific' shore juniper brighten up a shady spot with color and contrasting shapes. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Charlotte.

M J McCabe
Inspiration for a transitional landscaping in Bridgeport.

Home design - rustic home design idea in Portland