Continuing with our new portfolio video slide shows, here is an overview of our Stonework. For more videos and images of our work visit our Portfolio page. Don’t forget that these can be viewed in higher quality 480p mode and in full screen.
Aug
31
2010
Music Recordings That Are Actually Free
While making some updated video slideshows for our website I ran into a problem- finding a nice soundtrack that I didn’t have to pay royalties for. After all, classical compositions from before 1923 are in the public domain right? Sure, but their recordings are not. Fortunately there’s Musopen.com, a website that has .mp3 and sheet music of public domain performances. A great concept and one that will hopefully continue to grow!
Aug
30
2010
Common Landscape Mistakes: The Napkin Plan
The Napkin Plan Syndrome is something we see a lot in our office when we are doing take-offs. What is a napkin plan? It’s a drawing that lacks sufficient detail to be bid properly (e.g. something that was drawn on the back of a napkin).
Landscape architects and designers can frequently omit important details or submit a conceptual plan for bid instead of a true construction document. While this may be easier, save time, or reflect the stage of the design process for the project, it’s enough to drive us crazy.
Common problems include:
- Poor material specification: Work labeled Stone Patio, or Wood Deck (what kind of stone or wood- 2 dollar tile from Home Depot? $20 Travertine imported from Italy?).
- No size/length specification: Yes you can have the contractor perform takeoffs of areas like irregularly shaped lawns, patios etc. Most of the time this information could be provided with a couple of clicks in a design program. It would save bidding contractors a lot of work, and result in more consistent and accurate bids for project clients.
- No plant specification table: Planting plans often don’t have a table counting the plants. Again, it’s easier to make the contractor count the hundreds of plants on your plan, but doesn’t produce help produce consistent bids. Planting tables also often lack container sizes.
- Bidder design irrigation: Also known as have the contractor design a complete irrigation system without any specifications or guidelines. Suffers from the same problems as the previous examples.
- No construction details: Often complex elements are not detailed at all- Install BBQ Island: This brings to light about a hundred detailing questions (what kind of counter, what type of island construction, what type of appliances, where does the gas line come from, etc, etc, etc…)
Can You Bid on This Drawing? (For the record this was drawn on a paper towel)
Aug
28
2010
Exotic Landscape Fixtures from Hinkley
Hinkley is a less often specified light by most designers and landscape architects, but they have a very unique line of low voltage landscape lights that are more cost competitive than other boutique outdoor lighting brands (Hunza and BK we are talking about you).
Hinkley is not commonly stocked by local suppliers but good deals are available online. Here are some of their eye catching fixtures:
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- Hinkley 1598 Pathlight
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- Hinkley 1518 Pathlight
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- Hinkley Nexus LED Pathlight
Aug
26
2010
Construction Examples Video
We offer a wide range of landscape construction services. Here is a video slideshow showing various projects in construction.
For more visit our Construction Portfolio
Aug
26
2010
Napa Project Video
Here is a video slideshow of our 2009 CLCA Design-Build Award winning Napa project. You can see more of this project on the portfolio page.
Aug
25
2010
A Quick Word on Gratitude
We were discussing this a bit in the office today, while reviewing and debating the latest daily events at our company and thought it was worth sharing. Sometimes you just have to step back from the hectic busyness of each day and take a moment to express gratitude for what we have and the times we live in. A few things to be grateful for:
- We live in one of the most prosperous, freest societies on the planet
- We are living in the golden age of man kind. Witness to the greatest technological innovation in history, dwarfing all previous periods in richness, scale, and complexity. All while benefiting from being the longest lived, healthiest people to ever live.
- We have unlimited information at our fingertips at an instant. Your smartphone can access information that would dwarf the Library of Alexandria.
- A too large portion of the world lives on $1-2 per day. Has limited access to clean water, lives in poverty, lacks education, and is subject to all manners of disease that most of us do not even have to consider.
It seems like at times all people have an all to great capacity to take things for granted. To use one accomplishment as stepping stone for larger, greater accomplishment. Take a step back, a deep breath, and use your perspective to express some gratitude for all that we have. The poet Derek Mahan expressed this beautifully in his poem Everything is Going to Be All Right:
Everything Is Going to Be All Right
How should I not be glad to contemplate
the clouds clearing beyond the dormer window
and a high tide reflected on the ceiling?
There will be dying, there will be dying,
but there is no need to go into that.
The poems flow from the hand unbidden
and the hidden source is the watchful heart.
The sun rises in spite of everything
and the far cities are beautiful and bright.
I lie here in a riot of sunlight
watching the day break and the clouds flying.
Everything is going to be all right.
Derek Mahon
Source: http://www.panhala.net/Archive/Everything_Is_Going_to_Be_All_Right.html
Aug
21
2010
Common Landscape Mistakes: Steel Edging
Steel edging sounds like a good idea. Steel is a stronger material than composite plastic benderboard that is commonly used, and has a much thinner profile. Instead of 2″ thick edging common with composite edgings, most steel edging is 1/8″ to 1/4″ in thickness. The steel also holds straight lines and curves better.
While these are certainly advantages, steel edging has one main drawback- rust. Steel edging is powdercoated and usually comes in black, green, or brown colors. Once it has been shipped, handled and buried on the project, the powdercoat is usually flaking off. This results in unattractive rusting edge or profile.
Another alternative that solves this problem is aluminum edging. Aluminum isn’t perfect either, it is softer and more easily banged up than steel, but won’t rust. The annonized coloring of the aluminum won’t flake off like the powdercoating on steel edging.
For more edging options:
Sure-Loc Edging: Offering both steel and aluminum options
Epic Plastics: Makers of Bend-a- Board composite edging
This older steel edging had been pulled out of a project. The finish is flaking off and both the edging and stakes show significant signs of rust.
Aug
20
2010
Current Project- Petaluma
This intimate back yard on the west side of Petaluma was an underused lawn area and deck with poor ground clearance and usability. The solution was to install a new permeable paver patio area, with matching block seat wall. Instead of using a permeable paver, a traditional paver was used, but downspouts and catch basins are directed into a permeable gravel field below the pavers, insead of the usual paver foundation of impermeable baserock.
Sand is being screeded to level and lay the pavers on this Petaluma backyard patio.
Aug
19
2010
Current Project- Mill Valley
This terracing project in Mill Valley is transforming a sloping back yard into a usable lawn space and play area. With some grading of the existing hillside and new wood retaining walls a good size area has been created that compliments a large patio space installed in the first phase of the project.
In Progress- Mill Valley Wood Retaining Wall & Lawn Area
Large Concrete Patio with Stone Seat Wall Installed in Project Phase I
Aug
12
2010
An Alternative to Grout
In the past few years there have been interesting developments in alternatives to grout and traditional joint fillers for flagstone and paver installations.
Ecosystems Grout sells a Eurogrout product that claims to allow water to permeate through the surface of the material, making it great for permeable pavement installations where rainwater is captured below the pavement, rather than redirected into a traditional drainage system.
These grout alternatives can also give a low maintenance more rustic appearance to an installation than traditional grout.
Image from the Ecosystems Website
For more:
Visit the Ecosystems Website
Aug
07
2010
A Different Style of Paver
For most residential paver installations there a few usual suspects that are installed from manufacturers such as Calstone, McNear, Belgard and others. While there are lots of nice styles from these manufacturers, sometimes a different look is desired.
Wausau Paving specializes in pavers that are better suited for modern projects or commercial applications, but for some installations these pavers would provide welcome relief from the usual suspects.
Image from Wausau Paving Website
Jul
31
2010
Arroyo Community Garden Volunteer Work
We recently volunteered with Petaluma Bounty to help design the new Arroyo Community Garden, creating a design, layout, and material plan from the project. The garden is in the process of being constructed at the Living Word Lutheran Church in Petaluma. You can read the latest happenings at the Arroyo Community Garden Blog.
Dear Virginia,
We want to thank you and O’Connell Landscape for so generously providing many hours of your time developing and presenting professional plans for the layout and materials list for the Arroyo Community Garden. This weekend we are completing the boxes, filling with soil and planting our vegetables and flowers. We hope you will swing by and see the progress and know that you are appreciated for your wonderful contribution. On behalf of Arroyo Community Garden and the many community members that your contribution supports— thank YOU!
With appreciation,
MaryAnn Kendall
Arroyo Volunteer Garden Team
Design Diagram Arroyo Community Garden
See a time lapse Video from one of the work days on the garden:
Jul
16
2010
Belvedere Project- Bluestone Patio & Stone Wall
This project in Belvedere was completed earlier this year and has already started to grow in nicely. The clients wanted a space that created a stronger front entry, seating area, and a solution that pushed back the exsting hillside to create more space. The Bluestone Patio is complimented by a Rox Pro stone veneer that picks up the geometry and color of the bluestone.
Jul
12
2010
From the Drawing Board: Penngrove Medditeranean Garden
This project in Penngrove had a front landscape that had served its purpose. The design solution integrated a path and seating area, while pulling out the old lawn. A water feature tucked into one corner serves as a focal point along the way.
Design for Low Maintenance, Low Water Use Garden to Replace Existing Lawn
Jun
17
2010
From the Drawing Board- San Rafael Backyard Patio
This project in San Rafael is a small backyard patio that had the unfortunate distinction of being completely covered in concrete. This concept devises a solution that leaves much of that concrete in place, surfacing a portion of it with new flagstone and building a new Trex deck to better transition from a set a sliding glass door. The rear perimeter of the yard will be saw cut and demolished to create a new planting bed.
Jun
16
2010
Mill Valley Planting Plan
For this Mill Valley project under construction the owner wanted plantings that would provide showy color in a vibrant palette of reds, pinks and purples. We integrated a number of hardy blooming perennials such as Rose Campion, Lavender, Blue Bacopa, Blue Salvia, White Campanula, and Geranium Johnsons Blue, to compliment the installation of a dark gray concrete patio with flagstone accents.
May
25
2010
Picking the Right Concrete Color
Picking the right colored concrete can sometimes be tricky. A few things are important to remember:
- First, just like picking paint colors, remember that colors can sometimes look different when applied over a large surface or area.
- The concrete color should tie to into the scheme for the overall hardscape, landscape and architecture.
- Colored concrete is a variable product that can vary depending on a number of factors when the concrete is mixed and poured. Some color variation is normal.
- Like all things outdoors, colored concrete will fade in the sun over time.
Davis Colors has a nice website showing sample images of its various concrete colors that can help make visualization easier.
Apr
09
2010
So You Want a Reel Mower
There’s no better “green” lawn mower than an old fashion reel mower. Trouble is, reel mowers can be a lot of extra effor and take extra sharpening of the blades to be effective. New designs are helping to address some of these shortcomings. Fiskars new Momentum Reel Mower helps to solve this problem by incorporating a flywheel, meaning less effort to push the mower through the grass, and better blades that need to be sharpened less often.
Mar
15
2010
Novato Front Garden and Entry
We finished this project this past winter to makeover the front yard of this Novato home. The design incorporated two bluestone pathways to a front landing that was surfaced with solid bluestone. Around a large existing redwood a dry laid wall was built, with another at the front of the house for a raised planter.
“Construction work of any kind always brings challenges. O’Connell Landscape makes the process enjoyable as they are so responsive to questions and concerns.” -Pam, Novato
Mar
12
2010
From the Drawing Board: Novato Front Yard
This project in Novato needed a serious front yard overhaul. Weeds had overtaken the yard and a school across the street meant there was lots of foot and vehicle traffic that needed screening. We developed a design concept that included a larger usable lawn play space, with efficient subsurface irrigation. Border plantings around the lawn are low maintenance and provide a buffer and screening in critical areas. A side yard retaining wall expanded usable space for both the side and back yards.
Novato Front Yard Conceptual Plan
Feb
20
2010
From the Drawing Board: Novato Back Courtyard
We are working on an intimate back courtyard for this project in Novato. The new design expands the existing patio area, creating an outdoor room with integrated lighting, border plantings and fountain accent.
Feb
07
2010
From the Drawing Board: San Rafael Commercial Project
Here is a plan view of a commercial project we are working on in San Rafael. The existing walkways and patio spaces around the building needed to be expanded to better suit the use patterns of the space, and to update and improve the aesthetics of the property. In this working drawing we are exploring options for path and patio layouts, with suggestions for possible budget saving measures.
Feb
06
2010
Client Design Feedback – Corte Madera Project
We are working on a design and installation project in Corte Madera, which had been through design iterations with a couple of other companies that didn’t fit the client’s needs for the project. The client’s decided to move forward with our design because of our client focused approach. Always nice to receive a note like this:
We spent some time last night looking at the design and both said ‘wow…yes, now we’re getting somewhere!’ I will spend some more time processing today to prepare for tomorrow, but clearly we are close and you have us on the right track. Thanks for taking the time to ask us what we want and then giving some time to process your work before our meeting on Friday. Impressive, this really helps.Thank you, thank you!
This intimate entry courtyard design focuses on cool tones with layers of ornamental grasses.
Dealing with Pests Organically
This is the time of year for aphids and other pests to be causing problems with roses, annuals and perennial plants. Rather than spray a chemical pesticide we have been using Fish Oil based Organocide. It carries no restrictions on the label (caution, warning, danger, indications) and is suitable for organic production of fruits and vegetables. You may have to apply it a bit more frequently, and it may smell a bit fishy, but it works quite well. It has it’s limitations, but works quite well if properly applied (always read and follow application instructions). Safer Soap is another good option for a less toxic option for pest control.
For More: See Harmony Farm Supply’s Website of Pest Control Options
Image from Amazon
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