Seven Secretsof Magical Landscaping:
How the Experts Transform Mountain Terrain
From the Fall 2007 Issue
By Anne-Marie Robinson
Photography by Randy Price, Dan Chitwood
John Thelen, Kevin Hurley
For many homeowners, transforming barren house sites into stunning outdoor wonderlands seems a daunting task, but with the advice of a few expert landscape architects, creating that idyllic curb appeal becomes a mere matter of natural brilliance.
If you spot Dan Chitwood stretched out on a plastic lawn chair in a shady backyard, don’t be deceived. He’s on the job.
A 30-year practicing landscape architect in Roanoke, Va., Chitwood has honed his creative bent into tried-and-true design strategies.
“I carry a lawn chair with me,” he explains, “and just sit down in the chair, right in the space that I’m designing, to get perspective.” For Chitwood, renovating outdoor spaces is a lot more than mere plant installation. It’s art.
“When you sit in the space,” he says, “you get the fourth dimension: the sounds, the smells, how it feels.”
Indeed, the fourth dimension to which Chitwood refers – the experience of outdoor living – attracts many prospective homeowners to the mountain region. For that reason, professionals like Chitwood rely on creative instincts and trained technical sight to enhance the character of mountain properties. But designing in the mountains requires a unique set of skills to overcome its challenges.
Here, three experts share their tricks-of-the-trade, provided you tote your own lawn chair.
Read the complete article in the new Mountain Homes, now available at bookstores, on newsstands or by calling (800) 548-1672.Or CLICK HERE to get your FREE COPY NOW!
