Get Inspired by Gardens of the Rich and Famous

Imitation is the highest form of compliment, as they say. And why not get inspired by gardens of the rich and famous, past as well as present? After all, people have been deriving inspiration from spectacular gardens and their opulent owners for centuries. While not every detail may work in your limited space or Midwestern climate, there’s no harm in admiring and even borrowing from the work of others!

You never know when a good idea will arise, and from where.

The Gardens of the Spanish Alhambra

Dating back to the thirteenth century, the Alhambra Palace in Spain is a symbol of many things, including the ingenious use of water in an otherwise arid locale. More than the trees, shrubs and flowering plants, the awe-inspiring gardens of the Alhambra derive their splendor from two special elements:

Tiles & Decorative Features 

Hand-painted, glazed tiles are often found in the walls and floors of Spanish design and architecture, both indoors and out. In addition to contributing beauty, they are also used for their cooling effect. Throughout the Alhambra, the garden’s intricate Arabic carvings and colorful mosaics are what make the former palace one of Spain’s most visited tourist sites.

Water Features

The Alhambra is also known for its many baths, fountains and reflecting pools – a sign of luxury as much as beauty at the time. Today’s technology makes it easier to install the fountain or pool of your dreams, and you don’t have to rule a country to do it!

Privacy Garden Features of the Mega-Wealthy

When it comes to this country’s more enviable gardens, it’s the added, even smaller features that contribute the most charm, elegance, and even fun. Julianne Moore’s playful New York City garden even boasts a mini, stone tile basketball court. 

But with higher end homes, those designs often have the added benefit of providing a sense of privacy, as well. That’s why the gardens featured in Architectural Digest showcase the countless creative ways that gardens are designed to protect the owners from the prying eyes of their neighbors. Here are just some of those touches:

• Vine-clad pergola
• Sculpted hedge enclosures
• Stone terraces of fruits and vegetables
• Redwood benches
• Angled berms and rounded hedges
• Artful topiaries
• Mirror-backed trelliswork
• Secluded greenhouse
• Raised walls

Peruse all the ways the well-off decorate their natural surroundings, and it’s clear that your individual personality, even your values, can act as a guide as much as your home and natural habitat. 

A-Lister Ideas: Preserve Water & Produce Your Own Food

Perhaps when Sting invites you to his 900-acre Tuscan vineyard, you can discover how he incorporates organic grapes, olive oil and drought resistant lavender. If you’re a bit shorter on space than the former Police frontman, there are many more compact edibles that can be planted and cultivated throughout the seasons. From cucumbers and summer squash to various leafy greens, there’s no shortage of delicious, easy-to-grow items right at home.

No matter who you are, preserving water is a smart way to conserve whatever resources you use to plant and irrigate throughout your landscape. This can apply as much to your plants and flowers as it does to the hardscape itself. Being ecologically aware can also be aesthetically pleasing, as Reese Witherspoon apparently realized when she decided to pave her courtyards and paths with decomposed granite. This permeable surface both prevents water runoff and feels good to the touch.

A professional landscape designer can help you weigh all of your desired qualities in a garden and walk you through the steps that would bring your idea from fantasy to reality.

Get Design Help from Area’s Highly Rated, Full-Service Landscaping Company

Do a little of your own digging (of the internet variety) and you will discover even more creative ideas that could easily apply to your landscape! When you’re ready to chat, Schmechtig Landscapes can assist you with all of your landscape and design needs. And there are many unique outdoor solutions that Schmechtig can use to bring out the most in your garden. Just a few ways we accomplish this for our clients include:

1. Blend landscapes and hardscapes
2. Create low-carbon, weather resistant designs
3. Source local materials
4. Help minimize irrigation
5. Ensure proper maintenance

Visit Schmechtig Landscapes online to find out more about the gardening services we provide. Whatever path you choose, our team of experts will deliver quality service, exceptional landscaping, and the utmost professionalism. Call us today to get started on the garden of your dreams!