Posts by Karen Chapman
The Value of Negative Space in Design
'Cramscaping' may be fun in container gardens but the value of leaving open areas within the landscape cannot be overstated. Not every square inch of your garden has to be planted. Negative space refers to the areas that we don't plant. They are intentionally left open and are typically framed by "positive" elements such as…
Read MoreDesigners Eye: using light in the garden
What do a cactus, swimming pool and a smoke bush have in common? Keep reading. I want to encourage you see gardens through a designer's eye: going beyond the 'can I grow that?', or in the case of a swimming pool 'that's nice but don't have/want/need one'. I promise that in every garden, large or…
Read MoreFrom Lacklustre Lawn to Neighborhood Cocktail Garden
I love any project that encourages community and this redesign does just that. Long time neighbors are now good friends but this Edmonds couple lacked an outdoor space large enough for everyone to gather. Realizing their underutilized front garden could be the answer, these savvy homeowners set to work creating an Inspiration Board, exploring ideas…
Read MoreThe Ugly Duckling – 1 Year Later
Do you remember just how bad it was? The 'warehouse with ample parking meets multiple personality disorder' house we bought last August?? This blog post(opens in new tab) will refresh your memory, and while a year is a mere blink of an eye in garden terms, there has been significant progress in the front garden…
Read MoreBefore, After & 5 years Later: Family Garden Makeover
I recently had the opportunity to revisit a garden we had installed 5 year ago and I was thrilled to see how beautifully the homeowners had looked after it! The skies were grey that morning but this colorful oasis shone regardless. Designing and planning for growth and evolution of a garden isn't always easy. Considering…
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