Mediterranean Landscaping

Many homes in warm areas of the country were built with a Spanish Mediterranean design. Many people have begun exploring the Mediterranean style of landscape design, which goes well with any type of warm weather architecture, but especially Mediterranean construction. Mediterranean landscape design is know for, first of all, its lush vegetation. While some of these plants are only found in southern Europe, they will grow in some of our warm weather climates also. A yard designed after Mediterranean style should be full of plants. Another important factor is stone. Ancient cultures of the Mediterranean used stone, like travertine, to create walkways in their gardens.

A homeowner creating this style could make a straight pathway through the yard with travertine pavers, or use the travertine pavers to create a sitting area in the middle of a garden, with plants all around. Travertine was used by ancient civilizations to build timeless structures, and travertine pavers take that same timelessness and put it into a form that is easy to work with today. Finally, statues are a big part of Mediterranean style. The size and type are up to the designer to decide, but the combination of lush vegetation, natural stone, and sculptures or statues will help give the feel of the warm Mediterranean.

Travertine Pavers in a Mud Room

A mud room is an essential part to so many homes these days. For some homes, it is a connection to the outdoors. It is the place where a family can shake of all the dirt and heat from the outdoors, where kids can take off and store things like backpacks and boots. An effective mud room will be located just inside the entrance that family members use most. The floor of a mud room should be made of durable material, such as travertine pavers or tile. Used as tile, travertine can cover the walls, floor, and steps. Travertine pavers can also be mortared in as the floor of a mud room. Travertine is durable and skid resistant. It is a beautiful, natural stone, which will make the area visually pleasing. Once the mud room is covered with easy to clean and maintain materials, it can be filled with storage containers and cabinets. Coat racks, shoe holders, a mirror, and bins for things like hats and gloves will make the mud room complete. By using durable materials like travertine pavers and heavy duty rugs and storage bins, a mud room can add a lot of function to an entryway.

A Backyard Gazebo

A backyard gazebo is a perfect place for enjoying the beautiful view of a landscape. Gazebos can be a range of sizes, shapes, and designs, and can be tailored to fit the style of the homeowner and the yard. A gazebo can go anywhere in the yard, but should be placed in a location from which the best view can be seen. It is also helpful to have the gazebo in a location secluded from neighbors, to ensure privacy. A gazebo that is placed away from the house will need a way for people to get out to it, such as a walkway or path. Travertine pavers make excellent and natural materials for the path to the gazebo, and travertine pavers can be placed and mortared to make a beautiful walkway. Travertine pavers can also be spaced farther apart to create a stepping stone look. Being natural stone, travertine pavers are durable, yet beautiful, and can help anchor the gazebo to the rest of the landscape. This ensures that the homeowners will be able to walk on a clean path to the gazebo, and enjoy the view around them.

Create a Backyard Paradise with Travertine Pavers

We all want our yard to be a place where we can relax and enjoy our surroundings. Because of this, people invest a lot of time and effort into flowers, plants, and a design that reflects their style. Brick patios and wood decks are commonplace, but to really make a statement, owners are turning to higher quality, more interesting looking materials and plants to create the perfect space. Things that are out of the ordinary will really make a statement about the homeowner.

Travertine pavers are very durable, and yet they look elegant and timeless. They can be installed by a do-it-yourselfer, or by a professional, and being natural stone, they will withstand the test of time. They won’t need to be replaced because they were rained on and they won’t crack because of the weather.
A patio made of travertine pavers in the middle of the yard, surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers can create a feeling of calm and relaxation. Potted plants, a fountain, and maybe a statue, will make any backyard area full and rich, and feel like a tropical paradise.

Travertine Pavers Show a Homeowner’s Style

Travertine pavers are a very versatile building material. Besides being heavy duty and durable, these pavers come in different shades and sizes, and they can be used for a variety of purposes. They can also portray a range of styles and interests. For example, homeowners that use travertine pavers for a patio or fire pit will show that they are classy and like a bit of elegance in their design.

Travertine pavers that are used around a swimming pool show that the homeowner is smart and practical in their landscaping design, because these pavers are naturally skid resistant and stay cool even in the hot sun. On the other hand, travertine pavers can also be used to create a walkway around the house, or a path that leads through flowerbeds, and this might show a feeling of timeless beauty. There are many possibilities, and designers can incorporate travertine pavers into almost any landscape.

A Patio; the Symbol of an American Backyard

The patio is such a common feature to many homes that many of us take it for granted. We eat on it, we play on it, and we keep our lawn furniture on it. Those that live in warm climates may use their patio every day. Those that have to endure cold winters with snow will often spend their whole summer out on the patio, when the weather permits.

Patios can vary so much in size and design that they really speak volumes about their individual creator. A patio can be made of travertine pavers, bricks, coral rocks, or a variety of other materials. It can be full of furniture, or full of plants, or hardly filled at all.

A new trend is for patios to incorporate a fireplace. Sometimes it will be a moveable fire pit, other times people build the fireplace right into the patio out of coral rocks or cap rock. Tiki torches and lanterns are commonplace on patios, as are solar lights.  

Whatever the style, a patio can really improve a landscape. It is a common part of many yards, and the place where homeowners like to gather and relax.

Landscaping Increases the Value of a Home

These days many people are working to improve their home, especially if they are thinking of selling it in the near future. With home values plummeting and the real estate market at a standstill, most people are willing to do whatever they can to increase the value of their home.

One way to increase the value of a home and its curb appeal for potential buyers is to focus on the landscape. A good landscape includes well-maintained flower beds, lush lawn, and clean patio and walkways. But there is another feature that home buyers seem to always be looking for these days: a pool. While not everyone in America may want a pool in their backyard, it is often the selling point of a property. Pools can add so much beauty to a landscape if they are taken care of, and especially if flowers and plants are incorporated around them. By using natural materials to hardscape around the pool, such as travertine pavers, the area will be improved even more. Travertine pavers are made up of a classic stone that withstands the test of time and is perfect for pool areas. Travertine pavers are skid resistant and stay cool underfoot.

With a pool in place and a little work done around it, a landscape can improve the value of a home.

A Rich Landscape

How often don’t we wonder what it would be like to live in the shoes of the rich and famous? While we have to admit that not everything about their lives may be admirable, there are some things we might wish we could have. The fancy cars, the clothes, the houses with their beautiful landscaping - these are things we could live with.

For example, you can expect wealthy homeowners to have a crew of landscapers that take care of their lawn, design their flowerbeds, and weed their gardens. And while many of us won’t ever be living in a multi-million dollar home, we can incorporate some of the wealthy styles of the rich and famous to our homes. Travertine pavers are a very rich-looking material to build patios with, and coral rocks are just as beautiful and can easily be used to build a fireplace or border around a bed.

Many people are now incorporating things like glass mulch to create a touch of color and flair to their yard, and things like sculptures and topiaries can beautify any landscape. With a little bit of planning and the right resources, any landscape can begin to look like it belongs on the cover of a magazine!

Geology Plays a Part in Creating a Timeless Stone

Travertine is formed by geological processes, when water dissolves limestone and then deposits it as calcium carbonate. This usually occurs around mineral springs in various places around the world. Travertine can commonly be found in caves, as stalactites or stalagmites.

Because travertine is a naturally occurring stone, it can withstand the test of time. It is extremely durable, does not discolor, is naturally cool to the touch, and is non-skid. These qualities all make travertine pavers a popular building material for many different purposes. Pools, patios, and walkways can all be made from travertine pavers. Travertine tiles can cover walls and floors in a bathroom or kitchen.

Wherever it is used, travertine brings a feeling of calm, natural beauty. There is just something about a substance being created naturally over years and years that is appealing to many designers today. Unlike man-made stones and materials, the different textures and naturally occurring color patterns in travertine pavers are amazing.

Landscaping on a Budget

The economy is a big thing on people’s minds lately. Many people have begun to really watch how they spend their money and cut back on nonessential purchases. Even though the times might be tough right now, there are ways to save money and still have a great looking landscape.

First of all, it is important to have a plan. Spend a little extra time to find out what kinds of plants and materials can be used in your area and climate. For example, in a tropical climate, it would be smart to go with plants that like warm weather, and materials that complement the flora such as coral rocks. Likewise in the north, it would be more economical to buy native plants that do well in winter as well as summer, and work with materials like travertine pavers that do well in any climate. It will cost a lot less money to do things right in the first place.

Secondly, check prices throughout the year. Plants are going to be less expensive when they are purchased during the regular growing season. Other things, such as coral rocks or travertine pavers, might go on sale during the off season. Watch for the end of the landscaping season in your area and check for sales on materials.

Thirdly, do the work yourself. Sure, it would be nice to have the pebbles delivered to your yard and spread out for you, but if you are able to transport them and do it yourself, you’ll save money

Tropical Landscaping

It sure seems like folks in tropical climates like to landscape. Maybe it’s the beautiful weather of these tropical places, or maybe it’s the pride that homeowners in these areas have for their vast array of foliage, but it almost seems effortless to maintain a landscape in the tropics. It is fun to plant big, tropical plants that burst with beautiful flowers, and lawns can look so green and beautiful in this kind of climate.  

Some features that many tropical landscapes incorporate may be palm trees, lots of greenery, and big, bright flowers. But other things really help give that tropical feel, such as a big coral rocks waterfall, or a cap rock fountain. Fish can be used in ponds, as well as water plants. Hardscaping around these structures is important, and a professional look can be created by using pebbles or travertine pavers to finish off the area. Water features like these add both sound and smell to the sight of the landscape, and give a definite tropic feel.

Potted plants can also add a tropical feel to a backyard or patio. By using native plants that are lush and green, all areas of the yard can be brought to life. A bamboo fence can also add a great deal of aesthetics to the area.

With a little research and planning, it is possible to create a beautiful landscape that celebrates the tropics.
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Do It Yourself Landscape Projects

Many people today are trying to save money because of the current economy. For those that take pride in the way their yard looks, there are ways to go about maintaining a beautiful landscape without spending too much hard-earned money. One way is to do the work yourself. Countless websites and television shows give tips to complete certain projects that increase a house’s curb appeal. Investigate some of these, or check your local library for do it yourself books that will walk you through the process.

Be aware, that some projects will require more time and labor than others. Perhaps you will find it easy to enhance your area with some colored pebbles, or maybe some glass mulch will make a big difference with relatively little work. Other things, such as installing a patio with travertine pavers or making a cap rock planter, will be require you to have a carefully laid-out plan, a good eye for detail, and some knowledge about these types of materials. But after doing the research and finding the answers first, even beginners can take on and accomplish these projects.

Other things, such as designing the area and planning what plants and flowers will work best in certain areas, may be something that a professional could be consulted about, or you could ask at your local garden center. Once the plan is laid out and the work is done, more and more homeowners are now finding they can save money by maintaining their yard on their own.