 Finding the perfect garden accessory for your landscape is a great way to personalize your outdoor space, and it's fun! Accessory options will most likely depend on how much you want to spend and can range anywhere from a single planter to an extravagant resort-style water feature. The best selections all comes down to what kind of feeling you want to create. Scroll down to see a few of our favorite things that you may enjoy in your garden (shown above are glass ball stakes created by Winfield Designs). Outdoor Lighting |
| 5 Key Concepts for Educational Landscapes:
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Here are a few more related blogs on our website that you may be interested in:
Add Outdoor Musical Instruments to your Community Park
Four Simple Design Tips for Kid-Friendly Gardens
Awakening Outdoor Spaces through Sensory Design
About BauerCombs
BauerCombs Landscape Architects serves the greater Puget Sound, Seattle, Eastside, and Cle Elum areas. We specialize in designing community parks and trails, senior living landscapes, and private estates. As a Northwest leader in sensory landscape design, our captivating landscapes bring refreshing life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of sight, color, scent, touch, taste, and sound.
We are excited to say that our landscape work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor living environments for people and communities.
Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2018 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772
Add Outdoor Musical Instruments to your Community Park
Four Simple Design Tips for Kid-Friendly Gardens
Awakening Outdoor Spaces through Sensory Design
About BauerCombs
BauerCombs Landscape Architects serves the greater Puget Sound, Seattle, Eastside, and Cle Elum areas. We specialize in designing community parks and trails, senior living landscapes, and private estates. As a Northwest leader in sensory landscape design, our captivating landscapes bring refreshing life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of sight, color, scent, touch, taste, and sound.
We are excited to say that our landscape work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor living environments for people and communities.
Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2018 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772
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A fun day judging ‘Arts in the Garden’ hosted by Bellevue Botanical Gardens. The above photo is our landscape architect, Susan Combs Bauer, with her pal Ciscoe Morris, gardener and horticulturist guru extraordinaire. In addition to judging beautiful artworks from local northwest artisans, the gardens, woodland paths, and hydrangeas were amazing!
Over 30 artist displayed outdoor garden treasures for sale throughout the botanical gardens. The event also featured local musicians (Joe Fina Four, The Monroe Tiny Jazz Orchestra, Cascade Flute Circle, Sammamish Youth Chamber Orchestra, and Ca Gaze) providing visitors with entertaining music.
For those of you not familiar with the Bellevue Botanical Garden, it is a well-loved public garden located at 12001 Main Street in Bellevue, WA. The fifty-three-acre garden opened in 1992 and has beautiful grounds and meandering trails through a woodland backdrop. The Botanical Garden is also well known for its educational seminars in horticulture and good gardening practices.
The Top 5 Picks
Choosing from over 30 incredibly talented artists is undoubtedly a difficult task! Every artist's works were intriguing and skillfully creative. But without further ado, here are the top five.
Over 30 artist displayed outdoor garden treasures for sale throughout the botanical gardens. The event also featured local musicians (Joe Fina Four, The Monroe Tiny Jazz Orchestra, Cascade Flute Circle, Sammamish Youth Chamber Orchestra, and Ca Gaze) providing visitors with entertaining music.
For those of you not familiar with the Bellevue Botanical Garden, it is a well-loved public garden located at 12001 Main Street in Bellevue, WA. The fifty-three-acre garden opened in 1992 and has beautiful grounds and meandering trails through a woodland backdrop. The Botanical Garden is also well known for its educational seminars in horticulture and good gardening practices.
The Top 5 Picks
Choosing from over 30 incredibly talented artists is undoubtedly a difficult task! Every artist's works were intriguing and skillfully creative. But without further ado, here are the top five.
#5 Metal leaf and glass ball garden stake. Winfield Designs, Whidbey Island. Johnathan and Jandellyn Ward.
#4 Outdoor ceramic garden art. Madrugada Pottery, Ellensburg. Elizabeth Lee.
#3 Handblown glass garden art. Jesse Kelly Glass, Seattle. Jesse Kelly.
#2 Steel garden sculpture. Bob Prowda, Preston.
#1 Drum roll please, the top favorite: Copper and glass garden sprinkler. Hoppy’s Garden Art, Bothell. Steve Hopkins.
Close up of #1. This beautiful art piece is best shown in action. My video didn’t do it justice, so here is an excellent video created by Steve Hopkins (see below).
All in all, a fun day at Arts in the Garden! I encourage you all to attend the August event next year. And if you’re lucky, the famous Cisco Morris will be there giving garden tours; he indeed is the ultimate #1 pick for the entire event!
About BauerCombs
BauerCombs Landscape Architects serves the greater Puget Sound, Seattle, and Eastside areas. We specialize in luxury landscapes for private residences, resorts, and senior living campuses. As a Northwest leader in sensory landscape design, our captivating landscapes bring refreshing life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of sight, color, scent, touch, taste, and sound.
We are excited to say that our landscape work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor living environments for people and communities.
Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2018 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772
About BauerCombs
BauerCombs Landscape Architects serves the greater Puget Sound, Seattle, and Eastside areas. We specialize in luxury landscapes for private residences, resorts, and senior living campuses. As a Northwest leader in sensory landscape design, our captivating landscapes bring refreshing life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of sight, color, scent, touch, taste, and sound.
We are excited to say that our landscape work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor living environments for people and communities.
Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2018 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772
Creating rhythm in outdoor spaces, gardens, and landscapes is all about repetition, patterns, and movement. Dancing to the beat of a drum is one way to describe the experience of landscape rhythm. In design, it is not necessarily the choices in materials or features, but rather how they relate to one another in a rhythmic pattern.
Rhythm affects how fast you move both physically and visually. You may meander from side to side along a pathway, stop to pause, or be visually taken to a focal point far in the distance. Repetition is the most effective way to create rhythm in a landscape. It may be as simple as lining a driveway with evenly spaced trees or using the same colors, materials, or textures. Repeating similar elements helps to create a visual rhythm that leads you through a garden from one element to the next.
One favorite way to create rhythm is with large boulders and rock columns. Placing repeating clusters within the landscape or along a pathway creates a familiar rhythm and beat. Patterns also generate a sense of rhythm. The most pleasing patterns are found naturally in landscapes such as curves, circles, and spirals. Repeating the same patterns throughout a garden or landscape provides a common thread and rhythmic unity.
Keeping a beat, whether fast, slow, or intermittent pause can have a profound influence on the success of your outdoor space, garden, or overall landscape. When creating your design just remember to dance to the beat of your own drum!
About Our Firm
BauerCombs Landscape Architects serves the greater Puget Sound, Seattle, and Eastside areas. We specialize in luxury landscapes for private residences, resorts, and senior living campuses. As a Northwest leader in sensory landscape design, our captivating landscapes bring refreshing life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of sight, color, scent, touch, taste, and sound.
We are excited to say that our landscape work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor living environments for people and communities.
Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2018 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772
Rhythm affects how fast you move both physically and visually. You may meander from side to side along a pathway, stop to pause, or be visually taken to a focal point far in the distance. Repetition is the most effective way to create rhythm in a landscape. It may be as simple as lining a driveway with evenly spaced trees or using the same colors, materials, or textures. Repeating similar elements helps to create a visual rhythm that leads you through a garden from one element to the next.
One favorite way to create rhythm is with large boulders and rock columns. Placing repeating clusters within the landscape or along a pathway creates a familiar rhythm and beat. Patterns also generate a sense of rhythm. The most pleasing patterns are found naturally in landscapes such as curves, circles, and spirals. Repeating the same patterns throughout a garden or landscape provides a common thread and rhythmic unity.
Keeping a beat, whether fast, slow, or intermittent pause can have a profound influence on the success of your outdoor space, garden, or overall landscape. When creating your design just remember to dance to the beat of your own drum!
About Our Firm
BauerCombs Landscape Architects serves the greater Puget Sound, Seattle, and Eastside areas. We specialize in luxury landscapes for private residences, resorts, and senior living campuses. As a Northwest leader in sensory landscape design, our captivating landscapes bring refreshing life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of sight, color, scent, touch, taste, and sound.
We are excited to say that our landscape work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor living environments for people and communities.
Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2018 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772
“Keep it simple and neat with plenty of red flowers” that is what my mother tells me! That’s a good place to start, but what does Aging In Place really mean?
Aging In Place is a term used when a homeowner’s goal is to live in their home well into their golden years. For outdoor spaces, it means easy accessibility, low maintenance, eco-friendly, and maintaining a well-rounded and colorful life outdoors. For many baby boomers, the thought of downsizing is a re-occurring thought. If you are anticipating a move in the near future, here’s a short checklist to keep in your back pocket:
When getting close to or already in retirement years, baby boomers tend to favor the practical side of outdoor living and their landscapes. A sensible place to start is to reduce the size or eliminate your lawn. Ground covers can make a beautiful carpet without the need for mowing and constant maintenance. My favorite online source for lawn replacement ground covers is at https://www.stepables.com/. Have fun; there is a wealth of information on that website.
When selecting new plants or swapping out the old, choose native plants; you’ll be amazed at the selections and opportunities for seasonal color. If you enjoy flower gardens, incorporate raised garden beds, containers, or hanging baskets.
When to Start Planning?
If aging in place with ease is your goal, then now is the time to start. Take an inventory of your outdoor landscape environment and envision a practical and more enjoyable lifestyle in 10, 20, or 30 years. The essential conveniences for your garden are automatic irrigation with moisture sensors and LED outdoor lighting. Hands down, it will make your outdoor life much simpler and more enjoyable!
Things to Inventory and Evaluate in Your Landscape
When creating your Aging In Place landscape and garden, just remember what my mother says, “keep it simple and neat with plenty of red flowers!”
BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. specializes in senior living landscapes and northwest sensory gardens. We know and understand the importance of connecting people with nature to inspire joyful outlooks and healthy social lifestyles.
Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2018 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772
Aging In Place is a term used when a homeowner’s goal is to live in their home well into their golden years. For outdoor spaces, it means easy accessibility, low maintenance, eco-friendly, and maintaining a well-rounded and colorful life outdoors. For many baby boomers, the thought of downsizing is a re-occurring thought. If you are anticipating a move in the near future, here’s a short checklist to keep in your back pocket:
- Choose a location close to public transportation
- Be within walking distance of a fun destination
- Find a home that’s easy to maintain both inside and out
- Think about stairs and take inventory
- Be able to attend social events without difficulties
- Choose a house that’s great for entertaining both indoors and outdoors
When getting close to or already in retirement years, baby boomers tend to favor the practical side of outdoor living and their landscapes. A sensible place to start is to reduce the size or eliminate your lawn. Ground covers can make a beautiful carpet without the need for mowing and constant maintenance. My favorite online source for lawn replacement ground covers is at https://www.stepables.com/. Have fun; there is a wealth of information on that website.
When selecting new plants or swapping out the old, choose native plants; you’ll be amazed at the selections and opportunities for seasonal color. If you enjoy flower gardens, incorporate raised garden beds, containers, or hanging baskets.
When to Start Planning?
If aging in place with ease is your goal, then now is the time to start. Take an inventory of your outdoor landscape environment and envision a practical and more enjoyable lifestyle in 10, 20, or 30 years. The essential conveniences for your garden are automatic irrigation with moisture sensors and LED outdoor lighting. Hands down, it will make your outdoor life much simpler and more enjoyable!
Things to Inventory and Evaluate in Your Landscape
- Outdoor steps or stairways
- Overall accessibility
- High maintenance items or areas
- Lawn square footage
- Automatic irrigation system
- Outdoor LED low voltage lighting
- Entertainment patio and outdoor grilling
- Outdoor spa or hot tub
- Secure space for pets
- Safety hazards
- Eco-friendly
When creating your Aging In Place landscape and garden, just remember what my mother says, “keep it simple and neat with plenty of red flowers!”
BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. specializes in senior living landscapes and northwest sensory gardens. We know and understand the importance of connecting people with nature to inspire joyful outlooks and healthy social lifestyles.
Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2018 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772
 | Want to know the quickest way to add drama to your garden? Simply add complementary colors. If it’s been awhile since your last art class, here’s a refresher: Complementary colors are those on the opposite side of a color wheel. These contrasting colors create a vibrant look and feel when combined in the garden. |
When you are ready to start planting, just remember: Orange goes with blue;
Purple goes with yellow; and Red goes with green.
Purple goes with yellow; and Red goes with green.
Orange and Blue
Purple and Yellow
Red and Green
The most dramatic effect in a garden is often created with only a few colors. When incorporating complementary colors, it's important to keep it simple. Too many colors may create sensory overload! But not to worry, the most important element is to have fun! Experiment with a few colors to see what makes you smile.
Red and Green
Purple and Yellow
Orange and Blue
Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2018 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772
Red and Green
- Dahlia ‘Red Rock’ and Lambs’s ear (Stachys byzantine)
- Colrain red bee balm (Monarda didyma Colrain) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
- Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) and Dwarf Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo var. pumillio)
Purple and Yellow
- Clematis (Clematis jackmanii) and Stella D’ Oro Daylily (Hemerocallis)
- English Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) and Common coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora)
- Gayfeather (Liatris spicata) and Yellow coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldstrum’)
Orange and Blue
- Orange Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale) and Nikko Blue Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue’)
- Orange sun rose (Helianthemum nummularim ‘Henfield Brilliant) and Big blue sea holly (Eryngium ‘Big Blue’)
Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2018 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772
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