These hot summer days sure have us dreaming of afternoons spent by one of these beautiful backyard pools. We’ve rounded up some inspiration to help you turn your backyard into a little vacation spot of your own–no travel required!
Sponsored Content | Photos by Rett Peek
An Arkadelphia backyard retreat created by Better Lawns & Gardens in our September 2017 issue provides relaxation and enjoyment for homeowners Terri and Taylor King. David Munsey, III of Better Lawns & Gardens lets us in on his process of renovating the space into an oasis worth sharing.
At Home in Arkansas: How did you meet the homeowners?
David Munsey, III: Richard Harp worked with the Kings on a renovation of the interior of their home, and when it came time to talk about the backyard, he suggested the Kings meet with us.
AH: What was the jumping off point when planning the outdoor space?
DM: This is their forever home, and we wanted to help them create something that would last and that they could enjoy with their kids and grandkids for years.
“This is their forever home, and we wanted to help them create something that would last and that they could enjoy with their kids and grandkids for years.” — David Munsey
AH: What is special about this space to you?
DM: Because of the panoramic view that changes with the seasons, the Kings wanted to keep the line of sight clear. So, the pavilion is essentially three rooms under one roof, which includes a kitchen, a sitting area, and a dining space.
AH: Were there certain elements the homeowners wanted to incorporate? How did you execute these requests?
DM: Mrs. King likes color, so Loren at Antique Brick Outdoors really worked with her to find cushions and fabrics that would tie everything together with the natural environment.
AH: As the homeowner, how do you view your outdoor space now?
King: This is my oasis; I really enjoy coming home at the end of the day and having a place to relax.
David Munsey, III | Better Lawns and Gardens | 501.454.9803 | betterlawnsar.com
Sponsored Content | Photos by Rett Peek
We sat down with David Munsey, III, of Better Lawns & Gardens to talk all things outdoor living and landscaping when it comes to building a new home.
Make a plan to bring the same kind of thoughtful design from inside your home to the living spaces outside your home. – David Munsey, III
There’s a lot to be said about meeting people’s expectations when it comes to seasonal decorating. After all, you don’t use shamrocks for Valentine’s Day, or lush banks of blooming flowers for the Halloween show on your front lawn. But you aren’t limited to a certain number of elements or prescribed colors every time you create a seasonal show. Many elements can be injected into your holiday tablescape that are not just unusual in themselves, but also bring in a color you might not have thought to use before. And that color can be from the purple family.
The color range for fall decor is typically restricted to the fiery tones, and for good reason. Ripened squash and pumpkins are always in various oranges or yellows, leaves turn into flame, mature wheat and cornstalks are, well, the color of mature wheat and cornstalks. But think back to art class and that color wheel. The use of contrasting colors, which are found on the opposite side of the wheel, can bring a bit of zing into your design. And they don’t have to be wildly exotic. Using African violets and a thrilling cerise phalaenopsis—both of which can be found at my nursery, as well as lots of other sources—can add a much-needed note of newness to your design.
For example, here I took a blooming violet—one in just the right hue—plunked it into a small, aged terra cotta pot, and nestled it among all the usual suspects for my fall table. One vital note of importance here: scale. The violet plant itself doesn’t overwhelm, yet its color transcends.
Here you see not just the table, but also the seasonal display mounted on the mirror. You don’t have to move furniture out or rearrange to get the look you want. Just incorporate the decor into what’s there. The mirror mounting uses the ubiquitous pumpkin, but the modest violet is the exclamation point below. And don’t forget to use light in your design. Redirect any existing lighting you may have and use as many votives as your design will allow.
Since you’ve succeeded with one shade of purple, now try another, like the pop of phalaenopsis here. Orchids are great additions, like violets, because they’re hardy, and won’t drop blooms every time you move them. (Violets and orchids get a bad rap. These plants can last for years and, once they find their best location in your house, they bring lots and lots of color.) The phalaenopsis get into the seasonal act by being mounted in an urn with a matte finish, and having a squash and small seasonal plants placed alongside. Orchids and squash? Not what you would normally think of pairing, but once you’ve done it, you’ll love it.
Assembly is easy. Bring in everything you think you’ll need and start placing it all around. Remember your elements: texture, scale, and color. I typically don’t come with your design, but I’m happy to help you put it all together.
One last shot of that great color from the orchids. You can easily take the spare, almost architectural, aspect of the arching blooms and paddle-like leaves, and inject all the other points that are reminiscent of the season. I used that great warty squash, variegated plants that don’t compete with the orchid, dried moss, and spikes of long-dead bamboo. And, this idea can be repurposed for other seasons and other holidays.
I have a thing for orchids and African violets. I think they’re real workhorses and I know what I can expect from them. Maybe another blooming plant resonates with you. But if you want your design to take another step, then try injecting an unexpected color or element. Great design doesn’t take much more than a little bit of thought and not being afraid to try something new. Even if it’s nothing more than a shot of color, like that provided by a simple little violet.
Happy Autumn,
Chris H. Olsen
I own a cool store. And I offer many bright and shiny objects for sale, in addition to plants and gardening supplies. But I also think that everything in your landscape does not have to be bought new. While it may seem startling that I’d say such a thing, it really isn’t. After all, I’m in the landscape business, and what is a garden anyway? It’s a mass of energy, color, and growth that is always changing, evolving and, above all, renewing itself. Take that idea in stride and look at what you already have. You can redefine an area of your garden by recycling and reimagining something that is maybe stacked away and forgotten, and through repurposing, create a sense of wonder and newness. For example, I needed to define the end of the terrace and patio, but I wanted to create something of interest, so here’s what I did.
You’ll see two brick columns that also serve as fountains. Between them is a piece of wrought iron. The bricks—with that great dusty coating of residual concrete and mortar—are vintage and pulled from a stack left over from a renovation project. I didn’t just want to build another brick wall, but I needed a bit of definition and a border for that area of the garden and patio. Columns would serve the purpose nicely, with a bit of metal for fencing. That way, I wouldn’t have something that was dense or hulking. And, to make the columns truly functional, I left them hollow and installed a fountain system in each. Fountains are pretty easy to use and maintain—these are motorized—and you get that great sound of trickling water. The metal piece between? It’s a leftover from a carport, long gone.
The brick columns aren’t fussy or extravagant. I created a bit of decoration near the top to keep them from being too heavy looking, and it also serves to let air in, so the motor runs well. The spigots are plain copper, which will develop that lovely patina. Because they’re narrow, the columns don’t take advantage of their space, and I can plant right up next to them. I didn’t want anything that looked too groomed or fussy, and I used a combo of strong perennials for foundation, then lots of annual color for a bit of chaos.
In this shot, you can see that bit of iron, which functions as a trellis. The mandevillea pops on the black iron. You can also see the fountain catch basin here. I chose a Vietnamese rain jar glazed in a color that will match the verdigris of the copper fixture. The rusted iron discs behind the jar? Those are lotus, each dusted with a bit of that great oxidized color. You can purchase them at Botanica. If you don’t have a pond large enough for real lotus, then try these.
This photo captures it all: texture, garden bones, repurposed brick, great color, and punctuation with the iron lotus. You can almost hear that water cascading, can’t you? And the plants all seem to have raced as close as they can to be part of it all. Here’s your tip: You’ll want your water to run clear and never appear cloudy in your fountain, so use a couple of chlorine tablets weekly. Dispels algae, hard water build up, and mosquitoes.
You can find new uses for many old objects and architectural remnants. Don’t be afraid to mix them in with your plantings. It’s never just about the plants in your garden; it’s also about how you put everything together and create interesting spaces, maybe where nothing was before. Everything has its purpose, but you can often find more than one purpose for just about anything, so let your garden show how creative you are.
Enjoy every moment in the garden,
Chris H. Olsen
Europeans have long known something that Americans are only just now finding out: You can create a “room” for entertaining within your landscape. And it won’t take a carpenter to do it. If you have a courtyard, patio, or level area in your yard that is wide and long enough to turn into a rectilinear space for table, chairs, and plants, you can treat your guests to a real indoors-goes-outdoors experience. Define the space and mark the “walls” with large specimen plants (read: dwarf or semi-dwarf trees), then plunk a table down between them. Add seating, accessories, personal touches, and then you have it. A delightful area for dining and conversation.
I created a sort of avenue of trees in the courtyard, in order to define the space. I call this Oak Alley, an homage to the real Oak Alley in southern Louisiana. You’ll need to keep two aspects in mind to create your room: scale and growing conditions. I couldn’t have tree specimens straight out of the forest because they’d outgrow the space; and I needed hardy sun-loving plantings. What you see are Columnar English Oaks. The long table flanked by matching chairs gives it all a sort of formal feel.
You’ll want to be mindful of the space needed to accommodate the table, chairs, and guests entering, leaving, or sliding their chairs back from the table. Another benefit of these semi dwarf oaks is that I know exactly how wide they will grow, and don’t have to worry about them encroaching onto the table.
You can see outside the ‘room,’ the backs of the defining trees, and area behind. ‘Green Giant’ Arbor vitae line the outer walls of the courtyard, and complement the deciduous oaks of my new room.
This is another “room” in its glory at the height of the season. Trees are potted in this instance, which means more opportunity for color and style. Chair cushions were chosen to pair well with the pots, and the whole area is now primed and ready for guests. The previous courtyard is a nice, intimate space, gravel-filled and inviting. But once it has been used as a room for seating, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to its pure and utilitarian nature.
If you’re going to use pots for your wall trees, you probably should splurge because they’ll get a lot of attention, and can also become an architectural element in the mix. Don’t just settle for unglazed terra cotta, and also make sure they’re the largest you can find. That way, they can hold growing trees and seasonal color and, most importantly, they won’t dry out as quickly as if they were smaller. How could anyone not want to sit and linger in such an area?
Remember what I said about scale. Don’t just read the horticulture tags on the plants. Ask about growth habits and requirements. You want plantings that fit nicely in their environs, and also provide a lot of show for their size. Everything you use needs to work hard for its space. And don’t be afraid to mix up the plantings; try new plants chosen for their growth habit and color.
Check out this mix. You’ll see tropical influence, seasonal color, plants chosen to spill out of the pot, cascading color, and both deciduous and evergreen plantings. Oh, and the garden room itself.
Proportion counts in each element, but remember the truism: the bigger the pot, the bigger the show. What you see in this photo is how just a bit of planning can mean something unexpected, especially the next time you want to host a dinner.
It really is quite easy, once you’ve found the space for your new “room.” Ask plenty of questions at the nursery, calculate how much area you’ll need, install, then stand back to take in the effect. And back to what I said at the beginning of this post. Europeans have known about this kind of thing for a long time. They don’t even worry about the furniture itself, and often just drag out the kitchen table and chairs. You can do that as well. Although shopping for furniture to fit in your new room might be fun. It’s the idea of being able to entertain your guests, share your food, and make your landscape part of your personal space.
Enjoy Every Moment,
Chris H. Olsen
chrisholsen.com // botanicagardens.com
You can read more about Chris Olsen’s home and outdoor entertaining spaces in our March 2018 feature California Love.
You may not think a lot about walls, but they work on many levels at a property. They can keep something in or out, provide demarcation and boundary, and serve as punctuation for a landscape. They’re the very definition of utilitarian. But I have a question for you: do they have to be strictly about purpose, with nothing left for aesthetics or pleasure? I think a wall can become part of your plantings, which will mean seasonal interest, color, and a bit of something unexpected in your landscape.
Here’s a wall at my house that’s tasked with creating a visual sensation. It serves its purpose well—defining and helping create more area for a patio right outside the door—but it’s not all about function. It has typical construction components, but a cavity was left at the top, so I could plant directly within it. Since it is stucco over brick, natural porosity exists, meaning water will drain down. All I had to do was add soil and annuals. You’ll want annuals because, since they only last one season, they won’t have aggressive root systems that can degrade and crack walls. Plus, annuals will give you riotous color for a longer time.
I used a wall that will command attention from the street, but also one that is not too tall, so it’s always within sight for me and my guests. Planting atop a ten-foot wall would defeat the purpose. And would also mean me having to climb a ladder to water. And you can’t beat that unending froth of bloom in this photo. No row of pots, not matter how densely lined up along the top of a wall, would give you this much color.
This photo gives me an opportunity to do a bit of preaching. If you want great color from the top to bottom of your plants, you have to start with the basics. Use the best potting soil and amend it for better nutrient content and drainage. Use timed-release fertilizer, which will feed your color all season. And water. A lot. Extravagant bloom—which you always will want—means consistent and generous care and feeding. Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I’d like you to take a look at this planting in mid-season. The individual plants have all tumbled over each other and the blooms have begun to cascade over the edge. Perfection.
Is there anything in a landscape happier than blooms spilling over a wall? Anything more welcoming to guests ambling up the walk? I don’t think so. And you don’t have to reach for anything exotic to get a great punch of color. These pedestrian petunias in an average range of pinks work long and hard every day. At the height of the season, you’ll find cheer atop your wall. And it just keeps getting better with each passing day, as your plants tumble over each other to greet you and the sun.
Using a wall for direct planting is a bit of luxury, I know. And you may not be able to get to a wall before it’s completed and the contractor moves on to another area. But if you can create a cavity on top, and then fill it with annual color, you’ll be happy very time you see it. And that’s the key to personalizing your landscape; that it evokes joy and even a bit of surprise from your guests. And that you love it.
Enjoy Every Moment,
Chris H. Olsen
Reuse. Repurpose. Recycle. Reimagine. You know these words and their common use. We’re all serious about sustainability, because we should be. It’s a worthy pursuit and the subject of much discussion, but that’s just it. It’s sometimes a little too serious. I’ve always had a philosophy about elements of design, which I use in many, if not most, jobs: Use what you have, any way you can, and the result can be both fun and powerful. I call it Jhemajang. You pronounce it the way it looks; ‘hema-jang.’ As in, ‘Just jhemajang that [combination] together, and it’ll look great.’ It’s nothing more than repurposing something laying around, already bought, and maybe even still in use.
You could go to your favorite source for outdoor furniture and plunk down a lot of money for serious seating, or you can do it like this. These pieces are from my custom line. Recycled treated wood cut and sized for any space. And check out the table and pots. You can create something in any size and configuration, then paint it all in thrilling combinations. Don’t try to treat these pieces with great dignity; treat them like the fun, unusual elements they are. And they’re easy to move around, even going indoors for extra seating at parties.
Since these pieces were designed to go poolside, we incorporated planter boxes on the backs of the chairs. Once again, custom sized, so you can drop in specimens you pick up at the nursery. Looks like they’ve been leading an enjoyable life, huh?
How about carrying out that idea even further? We attached an entire planter box—contrasting color, natch—to the back of this longer piece. Because these are recycled boards, they’re light weight, so a planter box on the back is not a big deal, even full of plants. The seat can be moved with ease.
And check out how the color pops when you do nothing more than place three different bromeliads in them. Not only does this furniture need little maintenance, bromeliads are real workhorses, too, that require very little care.
Not only are these stripes pretty cool, the color combination is nice and cooling as well. And all plants look good with bright, colorful pieces surrounding them. Another truism. Check out the nice square table. See how the plant in the center seems to be peeking at you? It is. Because we created a recessed pocket in the table center, in which it sits. If you don’t use the compartment for a plant, you could always use it for an ice bucket, or even to hold bottles or cans. When more table surface is needed, just put the lid over the pocket. Multi-functionality is another advantage these pieces have.
If you’re not a fan of fan backs, you should be. Just stripe them up in contrasting colors and see how they pop. What’s so great about this recycled wood is that it can be used in many ways.
If you want to add pop to your patio—or any indoor room—these customized pieces will do the trick. Remember, landscape is not just about growing elements; it incorporates what makes you feel good, too. Don’t be afraid to be adventurous, and also remember to use what’s already available when you can. And create unexpected combinations, because that’s the Jhemajang way. We built these pieces with recycled treated wood simply because they’ll add life to any area. Create fun spaces, use unexpected color combinations, and, above all, enjoy what you have.
Live Life to the Fullest,
Chris H. Olsen
Botanica Gardens
A landscape, no matter its size, is not just one contiguous area filled with growing things or concrete. It is divided into ‘rooms,’ which can contain different elements according to use, space, and growing conditions. And even if you live in a smaller space, you can still bring in some great—and personal–design to that courtyard, or corner. Creating something unexpected is the point, and it’s not hard at all.
Here, you see a typical garden wall and gate. Functional design, varied and hardy plantings, lighting and security in place. Ho hum. But see past the gate? What lies within is key. It’s a small space, so an easy design. We used Chinese elements here, installed fairly simple plantings, provided a water feature for real interest, and an imposing pagoda to anchor it all. Design theme, water, plants, architectural element, rock and stone. That was the checklist. Notice it isn’t a long list of requirements. Start out with one connecting idea, then implement it with plantings and other elements.
Because it’s a small area, we wanted to make use of sound as well as sight. Hence, the flowing water. It cascades down the rocks and collects in a pool at the base of the Japanese maple. That maple is the workhorse of the design because it gives a great show twelve months of the year. The foliage of these small landscape trees are what gives them value. You’ll find hybrids with leaves that pretty much run the color wheel between black red and pale chartreuse. Even in the depths of winter, a Japanese maple’s trunk and bare branches provide interest. It always works in corners and small spaces because, depending on the cultivar, will never outgrow its space. Use of a small tree with brilliant foliage also meant we didn’t have to rely on annual plantings for color, which further simplifies the design. Just some water-loving grasses were all we needed to finish this part of the design.
Contrast, which you’ll want to be aware of, comes in the use of natural rock slabs, river rock, and pavers. Don’t forget to incorporate texture into your design. Natural juxtaposed with manmade, straight lines versus what’s found in nature.
And the best kind of contrast comes with the interplay of light and shadow. The kind of shade cast by elements of our small garden means it looks great at 6 AM, as well as 6 PM.
A touch of whimsy is always welcome. This globe was used because the fire engine red color can be seen from afar, and is merely the outline of a circle; the plants can grow through and over it. Let your plants run free every time you can, but give them something in the way of support.
Pools call for frogs, and this one’s no exception. Stylized and amusing, he splays out on the rock sunning himself, and adds that element of personality you’ll want in your design. I write a lot about showing your personality in the landscape, but that doesn’t mean you have to create a major production and spend a lot of money. Often, just one element, like our metal lounging amphibian, will do the trick.
The stone pagoda adds gravitas, yet also a bit of fun. Plus, it telegraphs the importance of Chinese elements in our design. It anchors the space year-round and, while formal, is welcoming. Find one large piece to serve as focal point like this one, and your design comes together. You can design a small garden around something you already have, or you can look for something as you go.
It’s really fairly simple to put together a small garden in a small space. Limit your design and its elements. Think functionality, but don’t forget whimsy and the occasional piece that will delight you and your guests. Don’t be afraid to experiment. After all, you aren’t creating a five-acre park. Think of it more as an inviting little space where you make unexpected use of what you can find all around you.
Live Life to the Fullest,
Chris H. Olsen
Botanica Gardens
Ever notice how, often, the yards and gardens you really like seem to incorporate more than blooming annuals, stately perennials or swaths of grass? That’s because they do have more than simple plantings. They have small—personal—additions that make them stand out. It’s the little things that can make your plantings fresh and interesting, and also express just a bit of your personality in the process.
Yes, everyone waters with an automatic sprinkler system or hose, so it’s nice to see that old-fashioned metal watering can still make its appearance. If you don’t own one, you can source them many places, either still-functional or timeworn. It’s not about their use. It’s about them adding a quaint quality to a border or pot grouping. The fact that a watering can left among growing plants, and out in the weather, can also be turned up to water that wilting begonia, is a plus.
See the faded antique metal daffodils poking their heads above this mixed shade bed of foliage plants? I found them in a vintage store in Dallas and, because I was flying home, had a friend bring them in his car later. When you take a vacation or business trip, always be on the lookout for such objects. Not only do they add that unexpected whimsy to your garden, they are dear to you just because there’s a story behind them or their acquisition. And they are not something picked up at a big box store, either. I don’t know what their original use or site was, but they look like they’ve been blooming in my yard for quite a while. And who needs a shrub for height when you can have these lovelies?
A phalanx of watering cans marches to its own beat, nestled among ferns that have naturalized along the gravel path. Why have one can, when you can have several? A good rule to remember: using more than one of the same item adds strength to your design.
If you have a tree in your landscape, you just might need a table beneath. Often, we set up our gardens solely for the plants, and provide paths to get close to them as a sort of afterthought. But don’t forget your guests and a vantage point for yourself, so all can sit within what you have created. A table that can withstand the elements is apt, and then you can stack it with whatever you wish. I found this table on someone’s curb, waiting for the trash pickup. A coat of paint, and I wheeled it into place, under this mature tree. Functionality is good, but improvisational design is better. (Meaning, don’t worry too much about table surface area. Just so long as there’s room for you slide in, maybe with a cup of coffee and the newspaper, it’ll be fine.) I used weathered terra cotta pots, spheres and glass bottles bound for the recycler, plus a couple of plants I already had potted up. Looks like it’s been here a long time, doesn’t it? And to get to it, you get to hear that delicious crunch of gravel underfoot.
Think texture with your design, not just plants. The bonsai ficus, from my collection, is perfect scale for the table, and I tossed in interesting rock and pebble, along with overturned lichen-encrusted terra cotta.
An what better to hang above than wire acrobats? I found this tribe of metal people at Pike’s Market in Seattle. Yes, I had them FedExed home. How many times have you seen an ordinary wire basket of fern hanging from an overhead limb? These acrobats are a nice—and unexpected—touch.
Squirrels run rampant in all our yards, but this painted concrete fellow is an import; I brought him home from a trip to San Diego. He’ll always be ready to dash up the deck railing.
While on a trip, if you encounter something unexpected that really speaks to you, I encourage you to bring it home and find a good place for it. And that good place doesn’t mean the garage or attic. What can make your garden design special is not always the plantings themselves; it’s also what you add and blend and meld into them along the way. Little things can make big impact.
Live Life to the Fullest,
Chris H. Olsen
Botanica Gardens
At Home in Arkansas offers you a look inside the state's most inspiring homes. The magazine features monthly advice from the experts to help you plan your next remodel or redesign, entertain at home, or find Arkansas's best kept secrets. It is your definitive guide to the state's finest homes and gardens, design professionals, fashion and entertaining essentials, and premier shops and showrooms.