My Relationship with OUTDOORS!

Big Subject!

Yes! I could write a book for this category! Haha.

The landscaping love, comes from my family. My grand ma' was a huge fan of spending time out, in the nature. When ever she could she took me out and teach me about all kind of plants. Off course by then, i was a kid and only care about the colors and shapes of the gardens. So groin up, was big part of us, the plants , the beneficial and medicinal powers and how to take care of them was running in my blood.

Until then, my love for plants and gardens was purely an hobby but life is tricky enough to teach us big lessons, right? So later in time, about 10 years ago; I was located in LA, California! working as project manager and interior design in a very nice firm; living "the vida loca" . ( Good times and memories from then, but soon my "vida loca" was about to change ) Suddenly my grand mother past away.

It was completely a shock for me, probably the most sad days from my life. I guess god has a greater plan for all of us and somehow, she was about to teach me a lesson that can carry on for the rest of my life. She continue showing me the importance of the outdoor, garden, landscapes and the rest of our home, we called EARTH.

So, Next step? I quite my job and start a new one!

This one will take me to who i am today. I quit my job to joint as project manager in a landscaping company. What could i possible know about plants and landscape. All i knew was from my grand ma, when i was a kid and absolutely NOT enough for working in a landscaping place. (haha) well, it turned out i was great in hardscapes (pathways, lighting, pools, pergolas and so on... ) and my boss was excellent in landscaping (All plants and crazy enough to believe in me; and let me me do any type of crazy ideas that became great referral stories to lead into more costumers.

Long story not so short (haha), We did a great team! We worked with amazing people and I met across actors like Cameron Diaz (awesome woman) and Harrison Ford (childhood crushed, just to mention a few and just because they were my favorites clients. )

Plants, shapes, colors and textures, became the complement and mastering for all the information my grand mother tough once. From there, I start solid knowledge in landscaping, green design, sustainability and different climates. In my opinion, all those subjects needs to blend perfect in order to have the perfect outdoor retreat.

I consider myself on the romantic side when it come to landscaping , gardens and outdoor living areas. Why? because i truly think we experience the outdoor different as we do the interiors. The human begin interacts more deeply with nature, lighting , texture and colors better when the are outdoors. So if you are one of the luckiest ones that have a garden or back yard done from me; you always find:

Lighting: Artificial (bulbs or lighting fixtures as accents) and natural.
Pathways: Well defined and in a different materials.
Texture: I love to see different textures in plant and materials for hardscape. to bring balance to the spaces we are creating.
Color: You need to make eye appealing contrasts . Hey! we all need some fun! right?
Living areas: its important that we coexist, without harming the plants and the many animals and insects that can find your back yard as home. So, well defined areas can bring that joy for all, as and the nature we are enjoying from.
Finally , Plants! haha.

Plants are huge topic but ill keep it simple for this post. The plants depends on many things including the type of soil you have and the climate you live in, because that will rule the garden and the plants for your home. All this is what make it so interesting and not boring at all. This topic is could be very long and i rather to get more deep in it in a future!

so enjoy here a few pictures for reference for your home and back yard!