Landscaping Ideas for California Modern Homes

by | Dec 1, 2013 | 17, 18, Articles

<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">Landscaping Ideas for California Modern Homes</font></h2><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">Joseph Eichler has made history, re-defining the American dream home and pioneering the California modern design. Today, there are countless ideas and approaches to landscaping, and the warm California climate provides limitless possibilities for your California modern home. But, to compliment the distinct architecture of Eichler and other modern homes, there are some landscaping guidelines that, if followed, will bring a beautiful balance of nostalgia and modernism to your dwelling’s outside area.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/18a.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/18a.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div> </span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Mid-century modern architecture owes an obvious debt to Asian design principles. This influence is observed in the rectilinear geometries, open floor plans, multi functional rooms, and the all-important direct connections between the interior of the house and the adjacent garden. By following these three key principles of an authentic Japanese garden, we can begin to create an outside space that perfectly suits the mid century modern design: simplicity in material selection and detailing, appropriate plant choices, and design restraint.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Some examples of landscaping ideas that follow the above principles:</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">- Allow the geometry of the home to guide the overall plan. Resist the temptation to add elements that will distract or cover the key architectural design elements of your home. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">- Consider a mix of materials that provide an interesting textural contrast inherent in the indoor-outdoor element of Eichler design- think rock, stone, pavement, metal, mixed in with lush grass grasses, moss, plants and trees.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">- Play with simple, but striking geometric patterns and contrast- think rectangular paving stones next to linear stalks of bamboo. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">- Balance the interplay between all elements. Repetition of patterns is often signature. For this effect, first narrow the scope of elements you wish to work with. You can then use these well chosen elements in distinct ways. Good artists can create masterpieces, using only a few colors. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">- Select water-wise plants that maintain their foliage year-round.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">- Consider a water feature, like a fountain. </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/18b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/18b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">The following is a list of possible plants, shrubs and trees to consider using as accents and groundcover.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Accent Plants, Trees and Shrubs:</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">- Horsetail reed, Cape Rush, Papyrus and Feathergrasses</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">- Sedge, New Zealand Flax, Cordyline, Fountain Grass and Blue Oat Grass</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">- Bamboo, Japanese Maples, Weeping Atlas Cedar, Smoke Trees, Weeping Cherry, Purple Hop Bush </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Groundcover: Grasses, Moss and Stones: </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">- Irish Moss, Baby’s Tears, Dead Nettle, Black Mondo Grass</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">- Mexican Pebbles, River Rock, Pea Gravel, Decomposed Granite</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/landscaping-ideas-for-california-modern-homes-307633.html">http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/landscaping-ideas-for-california-modern-homes-307633.html</a> </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>About the Author</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">MarinDreamHouse provides you with an excellent guide to <a href="http://www.marindreamhouse.com/" target="_blank">Marin County real estate</a> and <a href="http://www.marindreamhouse.com/about.html" target="_blank">Marin County realtors</a>. We are dedicated to helping consumers understand the market, at a local level.</span></p></span>