knoll landscape design designer brent knoll of miami

This visionary homeowner found an idyllic property surrounded by gorgeous pastoral views, fertile soil perfect for a Truffle farm, and an easy distance to downtown Corvallis, Oregon. What was not ideal, however, was the existing house. Built in the 1980’s, this ranch had some undesirably unique features that were not at all the style that our client was imagining for her dream farmhouse. She came to us with the challenge of transforming this dated ranch into a classic southern style farmhouse complete with covered porches and wood burning fireplaces. She had dreams of hosting large parties as well as intimate family gatherings, requiring a modern open concept layout alongside more secluded areas, all while preserving the traditional aesthetic that she desired. Having lived in a wide variety of homes around the country, there were some features this homeowner knew she wanted to incorporate into this major rebuild. We thoughtfully considered how to include those elements in the design while addressing several structural challenges, remaining within budget, and creating a final product that would be both stunning and practical. Historic trim work, white oak flooring, and warm white walls provide the ideal backdrop for showcasing her treasured heirloom rugs and artwork. Incorporating numerous windows on every exterior wall possible, we were able to maximize natural light, and access panoramic views of the countryside, while allowing the fresh air to breeze through. Multiple sets of French doors lead onto the expansive front veranda that wraps around the main living room. This deep, full-length porch is an inviting, shady spot to enjoy the outdoors. The combination of these design features provided the framework to capture the vision she had for her home.

Designed by John Mariani, this formal garden uses native plants for a traditional design with an exceptional environmental twist. Taking advantage of the many benefits of native materials, like less maintenance, watering, fertilizing; a naturally acclimation to the environment; and generation of a habitat for wildlife that adds life to the space, the many plants chosen each fulfill a different need- height, color, and texture. The layout of the plants in a formal manner makes for a decorative display. Photo Credit: Ed Caplan of DOF Images

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard mulch landscaping in DC Metro for summer.

Fan Sprays for the Flower Bed areas
Photo of a traditional landscaping in Kansas City.

Client requested that I plan a formal rose garden. Soil needed a great deal of sand, fresh soil, and fertilizers. Irrigation needed to be installed as a drip line for all roses, so the measurements had to be exact. Once the total for all boxwoods as hedge were calculated, client decided not to install that portion.

Design ideas for a landscaping in DC Metro.

Design ideas for a landscaping in New York.

Trees and shrubs are a big part of our local environment. Some are intended to bear fruit, while others are there simply for aesthetics. Of course, some trees are planted to help conserve the environment, and some started to grow on their own. Regardless, there are many facts about trees that you may not know. Five Star Tree Services has put together a list of a few of those facts that you may find surprising! Trees Live Longer Than Anything Else Of all living things, trees can survive the longest on this earth. Some species of trees can survive for several thousands of years. For example, the baobab tree can thrive for thousands of years after it has reached maturity. Trees Have a Godly Connection There are many religions in the world, and in some, it is a common belief that certain trees are homes to the gods. Many of these older traditions and beliefs are currently less prevalent, but there has always been a strong connection between trees and deities. Cottonwood Seeds Stay Airborne for Days Most trees reproduce via seeds. While most tree seeds fall to the ground, or are carried off by animals, the cottonwood tree seed flies through the air for days before landing. Trees Promote Rainfall Mature trees take moisture from the ground and release it into the atmosphere. This then triggers precipitation. The result is more rain in the area where trees are abundant. The best way to prevent or derail desertification is by planting trees in an area. There are Tree Genders This may seem like a sound bite for likes and shares, but some trees have gendered scientific classifications. There are both male and female trees. One great example is the pine tree. The female trees produce seeds in the pine cones, while the male trees shed pollen from their cones to fertilize the female cones. The wind makes the magic happen, which results in a bevy of baby pine cone trees. The Rings Show Its Age Very few methods exist for pinning down the age of a tree. Carbon dating is a complex method of ageing a tree, but you can also count the rings on a cut tree to determine its age. We don’t suggest you cut down a tree just to count the rings, though! Certain Tree Parts Grow Seasonally Unlike people, trees grow in separated sections. The trunk will grow in the summer, while the foliage will thrive in the spring. The roots tend to spread during the fall and winter when the rest of the tree is dormant. Trees Have Their Own Self-Defense Methods If a tree is invaded by insects, it will flood its leaves with phenolics chemicals. This is a compound that discourages insects from eating their foliage. The tree also sends off signals to other trees about the attack so that they can prepare their defenses as well. How We Can Help Here at Five Star Tree Services, we’re passionate about what we do. Our team provides high-quality and affordable tree care and maintenance, including pruning and tree removal services in Toronto. If you require help with the trees on your property or have any questions for our experts, give us a call at (416) 990-3355.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard mulch landscaping in DC Metro for summer.

We get a lot of questions about what's involved with growing grass, about how to fix bare spots in lawns and about when is the best time to plant grass. When you get right down to it, growing grass is really simple if you follow a few basic rules. Use high quality grass seed and make sure the grass seeds gets worked into the soil, use the right type of slow release fertilizer, give the seed something nutritious to grow in (like the compost/topsoil mixture pictured below) and provide ample amounts of water and sun... okay, you're really only responsible for the water, not so much the sun. If you do all of these things you can really grow grass just about anywhere. On the other hand, if you would rather spend your Saturdays doing more enjoying of your lawn rather than working on your lawn, give us a call or send us a message and let us take care of repairing the problem areas in your lawn for you.

Photo of a landscaping in DC Metro.

This is an example of a backyard landscaping in Other.

Known as the "cashmere of cotton," Supima's longer strand length creates the softest and strongest cotton fabric available, retaining brilliant color and lustrous sheen. Organic Supima offers even greater quality than the conventional crop: - Grown without pesticides - No synthetic fertilizers - No GMO components - No irradiation - Finer cotton strands, which produce smoother, silkier cotton - Organic Supima comprises less than 1% of entire Supima crop, which is grown exclusively in the U.S.A

This is an example of a landscaping in Boston.

Moss Garden: A Living Carpet of Tranquility A moss garden is a serene, low-maintenance landscape feature that evokes a profound sense of calm and natural beauty. Composed of vibrant, velvety mosses that thrive in shaded, humid environments, these gardens offer a soft, carpet-like groundcover that replaces traditional lawns or gravel with rich, green texture. At Westland Design, our moss gardens are thoughtfully integrated into the overall landscape to enhance a feeling of timelessness and stillness. Whether nestled beneath the canopy of trees, edging a stone pathway, or surrounding a tranquil water feature, moss brings subtle movement and color to quiet corners of the garden. Key qualities of a moss garden include: Evergreen softness: Moss provides lush, year-round greenery that requires no mowing or fertilizing. Quiet beauty: It absorbs sound, contributing to a peaceful, contemplative environment. Natural elegance: Ideal for Japanese-style gardens or woodland settings, moss complements stone, water, and wood elements with organic harmony. A moss garden is more than a design choice—it’s an invitation to slow down, observe closely, and appreciate nature’s quiet elegance.

Design ideas for a landscaping in Richmond.