At, towards, and after the end of a project, it is time for the ‘Finishing Touches‘. This is a chance for personality of the clients to be displayed or arranged in their new or renovated yard. It may involve painting the item or background, a special piece of art such as a sculpture, birdbath, lampost, sign, a crafted or purchased piece/collection of yard art, items collected or saved from a special place, event or trip, enthusiasm for a sports team, and so much more, only limited by your imagination. It is amazing how these finishing touches add so much to the ultimate effect of the project.
Sometimes, the finishing touches are very subtle and have a feeling of naturally fitting into the project. It can be a surprise, only seen or discovered when someone is nearby such as a carved rock, lantern, personalized stepping stone, or birdhouse. They may visually blend so well with the adjacent area that you don’t notice the item(s) specifically, but they contribute to the overall ambience. It can be a sound, such as a bubbling fountain that provides the noise of water in the background, or maybe some wind chimes…..endless possibilities……
Conversely, a final touch may be very visible and dominant, such as a collection of bicycles or machine parts displayed prominently or made into a sculpture.
Finishing touches can be used sparingly or throughout the yard. Usually, if used throughout the yard, there is a theme, or the items complement one another in size, color, composition, etc. On the other hand, ‘eclectic’ is a very popular style……
These special items can be placed anywhere in your yard, as a grouping or individually, on a fence, hanging from a tree, or incorporated into the plantings. Again, this is all up to the clients’ imagination. Shades of Green Landscaping will always ask about and include any special items the client mentions in the initial meeting into the design. We might make suggestions for maximizing the intended effect during the course of the project.
Finishing touches can always change as styles or interests do. Perhaps you want flower pots with a blue theme one year, but reds the next; or you have discovered the fascinating cycle of butterflies in our environment and want to incorporate special perennials that attract them. There really is no right or wrong, it is a matter of personal preference. Finishing touches can be ongoing – clients make it a hobby just to find the perfect piece for their yard.
Shades of Green Landscaping/Cheryl loves this part of the job and we are happy to consult, propose items and locations for them, and do the installation if requested, but it is also very satisfying to see the clients take part and get excited in adding these touches themselves. Often, clients will tell us of a new find or about a trip they took just to find something perfect to add to their yard. It is fun to return to a completed job years later and see how the clients’ have personalized the project. We hope that these finishing touches and creating a unique area just for the client will contribute to making years of enjoyment and happy memories in their yard.
Below are some photos of some imaginative ‘Finishing Touches’ – some are whimsical, some add to the style of the rest of the area, some draw their own attention. A lot of personality shines through. Most have been made, purchased and done by the homeowners, but Shades of Green Landscaping has done many too. While this section may be more appropriate for a Blog, Shades of Green Landscaping feels that Finishing Touches are just that, and should be included in the Gallery Section of this website. Enjoy……
We will update these photos as unique styles, charm, personality, imaginative ideas are expressed in our client’s yards.
