Custom fence fabricators such as Cedar Coast Fence will construct each fence panel to the designer’s specifications. Details such as the fence height, post dimensions and even stain are predetermined.

There is a vast array of materials that can be used for a custom fence, including cedar, bamboo, acrylic and glass. Below are just a few examples to spark your imagination for your own custom fence.  I love fences covered with vines such as grapevines or evergreen clematis, and this is a way to make it your own.

The first step is to identify the intended purpose of the fence.  Then draw on materials and colours that inspire you and fit into the existing environment, keeping in-mind the scale of the surrounding architecture.  Large, historical homes lend themselves to a solid fence, such as this one, where I used 6″x6″s for the posts.  Even the panels, lattice and gate are chunky, stained to complement the home’s wood trim features.

Links:
Cedar Coast Fence (http://www.cedarcoastfence.ca)
Coolite Bamboo (http://www.coolitebamboo.com)

They are made of palm tree trunks, hollowed-out and finely-sanded; the insides burned and the bottoms capped. The tree is Borassus flabellifer (Toddy Palm); renewable and fast growing, similar to bamboo.  All the trees used for these pots are plantation-grown.  All harvesting and sanding is done by hand using traditional methods in Bali, Indonesia.

I have incorporated the Palm Pots into an intimate little outdoor living room that I recently designed.

The furnishings are from Bradford Lifestyles, with the Palm Pot and the coffee table from  The Urban Gypsy, 614 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC (www.theurbangypsy.com), one of my favourite resources for funky furnishings!

- reduces the amount of runoff collected by sewers

- save water and $$$

- be environmentally-responsible

HOW IT WORKS

Rain barrels come in all shapes and sizes.  The one pictured is designed to look like a terra cotta vase.  It stands approximately 48″ tall.  Terra Luma Design has several sizes and styles to choose from!

For some, this is statuary. For others, Music. Each elements adds meaning to your space.

The Urban Gypsy (in Vancouver) and Berbere World Imports (in Los Angeles) are great resources.

Another favourite is 18 Karat!

Terra Luma Design clients get a discount at each of these venues!  If you are looking for something specific, just ask…  we probably have a source that is perfect for you!

Perhaps a Baby Ganesha will inspire you as much as it has me!

Imagine sitting quietly outdoors…  in a outdoor meditation room where you can escape and empty your mind… a breathing space from the chaos of the day. Increasingly, many of my clients want their outdoor space to be a place where they can decompress.

As you begin to envision your meditation room, take some time to consider both the function and how each element will create harmony with your environment.

In my experience, here are the top 5 considerations in the design:

• Noise – What can you hear as you sit quietly?  If you hear the overwhelming noise of traffic,  consider adding additional plants  to buffer noise or include outdoor speakers for you iPod.
• Decor – How can you bring soothing elements into the space?  Water fountain, natural wood and cushions create calm in any space .
• Colour – What colour(s) would you like to be in you space?  Color as a psychological tool is very powerful. Consider the effects of your favorite colours on your mood.  Build a palette of calming and soothing foliage and textiles.
• Location – How does the sun and wind impact your space?  Would you like to meditate in or out of the sun? What is the best layout for the space?
• Privacy – How private is your space?  Enclose your outdoor meditation room and use sheer curtains to create privacy.

In terms of functionality, plan for storage of cushions and blankets to ensure they stay dry in inclement weather.

Regardless of the size of your outdoor meditation room, your design should be as unique as you – unlike any place else.

At this Palm Springs residence, privacy is ensured with a lush Ficus hedge; but the hedge lacked punch! I installed a tall ceramic planter to punctuate the space. I chose a blue ice plant that picks-up on the blue glaze in the predominantly brown pot.

I surrounded the pot with light-coloured river rock, which adds a textural extention to the concrete pool deck.

Now we’ve gone from simply ‘a hedge’ to a dynamic focal point!

This new fence installation was built by Cedar Bay Fence Company.  I call it a fence, but it’s really a privacy panel which screens the neighbour’s view of my clients’ garden.

The classic trellis panels are supported between 6″x6″ posts, and a top arbour will support Akebia quinata, which will soon green up these handsome panels.

The play of shadows add to the beauty of this entrance.

When choosing a planter for your entry, consider the scale of the entrance and select plants that are well-suited to the exposure.  For sunny locations, it helps to use drought-tolerant plants or use a planter, such as Lechuza, that has a built-in reservoir!