Desert Crest Press

If there is one thing that any homeowner wishes to add to their Arizona backyard landscaping it is great looking built in BBQs. Phoenix to Scottsdale and Paradise Valley landscaping for the backyard always starts with the patio, which makes perfect sense as it is the largest area and all other elements need to work with it’s shape and location. Naturally, the planning of traffic flow and activity areas will have something to do with what Arizona patio design can actually go into your backyard. This will also determine where your built in gas grill island will be and many times also dictates it’s total size.

This particular built in BBQ’s construction is block masonry with a white stucco finish on the cabinet that will stand the test of time beautifully. Topping it off with a great accent of warm earth tone stone tiles that pick up the browns found in the landscape stone and also the patio pavers gives this backyard landscaping a polished look.

As with all outdoor living spaces, entertaining is just as important as gourmet grilled meals, so the patio provides abundant floor area to accommodate several outdoor bar stools on the round bar area of the BBQ grill’s island. Everyone always gravitates to where the food is in any home, so having some comfortable seating next to the grill is always best. A good deal of food prep and serving space is also included in this modest outdoor BBQ, as is lighting for use after sunset.

We find that besides the element of an outdoor fireplace, the built in BBQ is the most popular addition to backyard landscaping and patio design in all the areas we service at Desert Crest. It seems that no matter how advanced we become as a society, the basic human needs of food, fire and a gathering spot are still on the top of the list for everyone. The only thing that really changes is the color, shape and features requested to be part of the custom built in BBQs we create for people all over The Valley.

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For those Northwest Valley homeowners out there wishing they had a larger backyard in order to have an patio that allowed them to enjoy all the finer aspects of outdoor living rooms, good news! You can pack a lot of exciting features into a small Anthem patio design. Space planning will be super important though when you’re trying to cram a whole lot of living into a compact area. Not only that, but it can be an attractive and inviting place that offers you many reasons to extend your lifestyle beyond the walls of your home.

This particular Anthem landscape design project is beautiful and colorful and adds so much to this small backyard. It’s a testament to the fact that you really don’t need tons of room to have fantastic Anthem landscaping. Here there is an outdoor room defined for every one of the homeowner’s needs and interests. The patio dining space is clearly separate from the other areas, this is made even more pronounced by the arrangement of the outdoor furniture. Putting more emphasis on the invisible walls in the layout is the raised part of the patio. Levels can do so much for a patio.

While there is nothing really unusual about the materials we have used in this project, it does stand out from average flagstone patios. Anthem homeowners are divided on whether they prefer pavers over natural stone paving. This is great, we all have our own ideas of what works best for us, it adds interest and individuality to every backyard. Still, we love it when our customers ask for natural stone paving. It allows us to create a look that isn’t possible with pavers… its well, more natural, though both materials can be used to build a gorgeous patio.

Stone paving can be done in any shape, but by picking up the curves in the cool decking joints and echoing it on the raised portion of the outdoor living area tons of interest is introduced that isn’t possible in the average single level rectangular patio design. The solid privacy wall softened with maturing shrubbery does wonders for the backdrop of the dining area. The contrast between the homeowner’s choice of a black outdoor dining set makes quite the statement against the softly coral flagstone. Patios, Anthem, gain so much depth and interest with the accessorizing once the design is installed.

Lots of color is found in the flowering plants both in pots and in the patio’s xeriscaping landscaping. Bringing the outdoor fireplace’s presence in the corner to attention is something that the Lady Banks Rose and Red Bougainvillea climbing the fence are handling very nicely. Other desert loving plants like the fine textured ornamental grass seen on the edge of the photo and the bright white blooms of the low growing perennial in the foreground all work well at brightening and softening the edges of the hardscape. Scattered pots of geraniums and other annuals add more splashes of colorful interest while drawing the raised sunning space to become the center of attention.

Small space issues or just a yearning for flagstone patios, Anthem, that are not average or run of the mill, give us a call. You really can’t go wrong as our consultations for Anthem landscape design are always free.

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Having a patio is great. It puts a whole new spin on the attraction of home and makes quite a drawing card for residents and guests alike for any modern home with great backyard landscaping. Glendale, AZ backyard planning generally evolves around the outdoor living space requirements for relaxing and entertaining. Adding great features that enhance the space and it’s uses goes a long way for homeowners and home buyers today. To think we once thought that having a deck was the height of style. How did we live without the elements we can add to patios today?

The first step to great Glendale, Arizona patio design is to address giving everything and all activities that will take place here adequate area to be pleasantly useful. Nothing is worse than improper space planning that leads to insufficient room to use your patio dining table or move around without tripping over people and furniture. When you add something that will be as popular as outdoor fireplaces, you definitely want to ensure that it’s placement and surrounding space for use gives you all that you wanted from this feature element. It’s not like you can pick it up and move it over after the construction is done.

Glendale, AZ outdoor fireplaces can be built in many shapes and sizes. Here the homeowner elected to have flanking seat walls incorporated into the structure’s design. This is a popular way to increase not only a patio’s seating area, but also does wonders for giving the fireplace a different look. Unique ideas are always applied to our work at Desert Crest. You’ll never see us build two patio fireplaces or even outdoor barbecue islands with the very same look twice.

This project we gave the area behind it a less closed off feeling by incorporating two windows in the back walls. The combination of crisp white stucco and dark beauty of the natural Autumn Blend stone veneer gives this homeowner’s new paver patio’s design a whole lot of pizzazz. Soon the newly installed trees will begin to fill and spread as they mature bring relief from that glaring sun. As with any Glendale, Arizona landscape design, as time goes by this backyard will increase in attractiveness and beauty.

It would be great if huge trees took more readily to being moved to give us instant shade, but it’s hard on the tree and they require tons more maintenance. Then there is the cost factor involved in buying, moving and installing them too.  It’s best to just be patient and let newly installed trees and shrubs grow into their allotted space in your landscaping. Otherwise its a lot more work for you and them too. At least you won’t have to wait for the patio and outdoor fireplace to grow too.

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Even before they invented asphalt, high temperatures have always sent people seeking a less populated area. In Phoenix or Scottsdale, it is definitely going to be hot whether you’re in the heart of the city, or one of the smaller cities 0r towns that lay beyond the the city limits when spring comes to an end. That’s when we all crank up the air conditioning, which works overtime trying to dispel the heat of the day… or night. The fact is, that with properly placed xeriscaping landscaping trees, you can reduce the amount of energy needed to make the interior of your home an easier to cool space.

Phoenix – Scottsdale landscaping trees placed properly will naturally temper the effects of the desert sun. For most of us, towering shade trees aren’t an option, as they will soon grow up into overhead utility lines. However, small Arizona landscaping trees can still provide you with a great deal of much needed natural cooling when planted in the hot spots that the exterior walls of every home has. It is wise to note that even native shade trees here in the desert will require proper amounts of water to perform their shade creating benefits. Relying on periodic automated drip irrigation will put water at the roots where it is needed and make the most of  of those cooling benefits.

Among the lower growing trees that thrive in Scottsdale and Phoenix landscaping, you will do well with Sweet Acacia, Palo Verde, Cascalote, Desert Willow, Coral Gum, Mexican Redbud and Texas Redbud. If your home is in a more rural area, you can still enjoy lowered electricity bills and use some of the tallers trees known to perform well in this area’s climate.

Planting xeriscaping shade trees 15 feet away from the East, South and West walls of your home will reduce the effects of the summer and fall sun. It can be as much as 20% savings on energy use for cooling. Additionally, the less landscaping rock and more leafy shrubs that envelope the walls of a house and accent patios or courtyards, the cooler the air will be in your yard. Taking advantage of the climate benefits of Arizona landscaping plants makes a whole lot of sense and provides you with a greener world, as well as being an asset to anyone’s Phoenix or Scottsdale landscaping.

Image courtesy of  SuzanMarie, CC by 2.0

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The entry courtyard as part of a home’s architecture is a tradition that has been in use for hundreds of years. For today’s homeowners, smaller properties leave them challenged for the room required for all the outdoor living spaces they really need. Additionally, in residential developments, one must get creative to find the seclusion they seek to live privately in close proximity to neighbors, even those we truly enjoy. After all, its great having friends next door or right across the street, but we all need solitude and privacy too.

There are lots of newer homes today that provide ample room for a private space on the front of the house in Phoenix. Courtyard designs that home builders devise may seem great when you first move in, but chances are, after a while you begin to have needs you never envisioned before.

At first consideration, having outdoor living spaces at the front door may seem all wrong. Yet if the space is secluded, then why not? It’s your yard, your castle, and you should make the most of every square foot of it, both inside and out. We have a great example of just how some homeowners can reclaim existing wasted space and turn it into a wonderful spot to relax, entertain and spend time with family. The photo above shows you what this family has now. It is not what was just outside their front door when they called Desert Crest.

Here’s the before picture of the spacious and shaded front courtyard that came with the house upon purchase. As Phoenix courtyard designs go, its very plain and could become something so much more. Who would want to spend a great deal of time in this open to everyone’s view area? In era’s past, such an entry courtyard was meant to shade the exterior walls and perhaps to impress guests upon arrival. Flash forward to 2012, a time in history that every penny on hand and every square foot of a home must have a use. Obviously, an improvement to space planning was needed. Why pay for a new enclosure when a perfectly decent one already exists?

Improving your landscaping in Phoenix, isn’t always about adding on or starting over. With the right starting point like this one and a truly innovative landscape designer, you can have fantastic outdoor living spaces that don’t require a completely new beginning. Naturally, it helps if your landscaper is also a highly skilled mason and a licensed general contractor. There’s a lot more to a fully functional landscape than adding some desert plants, and you can have a great space with a smaller budget. Crafting beauty or usefulness doesn’t always carry a huge price tag.

We used the expanse of the existing archway to create the integrated outdoor fireplace’s extended wall. By matching the color of the stucco, it is pretty hard to tell where the existing courtyard roof supports were and where the new construction begins. The existing plain concrete courtyard floor we gave a whole new look with a terra cotta faux finish to make the most of what was there on a budget. All in all, this was a simple upgrade for landscaping in Phoenix. Still, it completely changed the front of the home, increased the outdoor living spaces and added a huge amount of enjoyment value for the homeowner. Additionally, when guests arrive at the front door, there is tons more interest to greet them.

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With almost every day of the year a sunny one, many a golf enthusiast finds the Phoenix and Glendale area the perfect place to call home. There are many great golf courses around the valley so there is no shortage of fresh scenery to frame your game. Like any game that involves a ball, it requires a good deal of practice to get your swing right to score well on the course. From the excited beginner to the avid seasoned golfer, there are lots of reasons that adding backyard putting greens to home landscaping is popular.

Since phoenix and Glendale landscaping tends to be xeriscaping with super drought tolerant cacti, shrubs and small trees placed nicely amid ground cover stone, that touch of lushly green space can do wonders to lift the mood and brighten the entire area just beyond the patio’s edge. Unlike a regular grass lawn, you won’t have to deal with watering, fertilizing, mowing or over seeding with winter grasses. There is rarely any tasks you’ll need to do to keep that backyard putting green’s appearance always top notch. The added benefit gets even better, because this use of artificial turf is a heck of a lot more fun than plain old Phoenix lawns.

What better place to practice a difficult shot than just outside your own back door? You’ll find a lot more time available to perfect your aim and swing with the next hole a few steps away. Sneak in 15 minutes before heading out to the office or on errands daily and your score is sure to improve. Backyard putting greens can be a great addition to outdoor entertaining and offer a wonderful way to spend some quality moments with your kids or grandchildren. There’s no better time to start learning the fine game of golf than in the formative years.

One of the great things about backyard putting greens is that you can design the roll to meet the needs for whatever stroke or shot you really need to perfect. Since the base is fine gravel, it makes it possible to change the surface contours as your game progresses and new challenges arise to beat.

One thing to keep in mind about backyard putting greens is that you’ll want to insist on top quality artificial turf designed for golf. There are a range of different yarns available and density of fill too. The least expensive options will fade quickly, melt from the friction of repetitive putting in one spot and also fray as the filaments in the pile materials breaks down. High quality artificial turf and infill will also give you piece of mind as these products will be free of the health hazards that many lower priced alternatives have proven to have. They will also give you years more enjoyment from the investment. Something we’re sure is important for the value of your Phoenix or Glendale landscaping as a big part of your residential property’s curb appeal and easy marketability.

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Having a beautiful pool in the backyard means ensuring that it’s surroundings are in tune with the pool itself. Even the most impressive swimming pool design, will look less astounding if your Arizona pool landscaping doesn’t accent and play up it’s aesthetic values.

Like any other area of your yard in Scottsdale and Phoenix, pool decks are the largest portion of the elements that frame a swimming pool. While some will opt for pavers as the material used for their pool deck, here in Arizona, you’ll have very little issues with natural stone paving. There are a number of choices suitable for pool decks, each with it’s own special character and mood. You can select native Arizona flagstone as is shown in the image of this particular project, or travertine stone pavers among others.

Pool decks made of natural stone are always beautiful and very upscale, not to mention timeless in appeal. For some, the soft and multi-colored tones of travertine is just the right look. For others, the larger pieces found in irregular shaped flagstone provide a look that is bold and more suited to their taste and style.

Once you decide what your Scottsdale or Phoenix pool deck’s paving material will be, other hard elements used in the pool landscaping design. In this particular backyard, more natural stone has been incorporated to frame the poolside spa, as well as in the creation of waterfalls that double as swimming pool fountains. This is an excellent added asset to the stone paving of the pool deck.

Like the finishing touches on your courtyard design, Arizona pool landscaping is going to need some specially selected plants. Many backyard pools today are surrounded by masonry walls for instant privacy, or decorative fencing. Both of these hard landscape design elements are generally softened with climbing vines, flowering shrubs or architectural character desert plants and low growing ornamental trees.

Most homeowners choose a minimalistic style for the plantings in their pool landscaping. What better way is there to accomplish low maintenance landscaping in a space that is all about total relaxation? Obviously, more plants or fluffier plants will be highly desirable to those with a masonry wall framing their outdoor living spaces in the backyard. For those that have the natural desert landscape just beyond the backyard fence, less plant material is needed to soften the hardscape and add flowering or foliage beauty to their surrounding pool landscaping.

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There is little question that backyard landscaping and outdoor living spaces add value to a residential property’s value should you decide to sell your Arizona home. Features like shade ramadas and built in gas grills not only have good curb appeal, these popular additions to Phoenix patio designs also add much value to your lifestyle. Unlike other things one would add to their home or yard, paver patios will never look dated or go out of style. Like a patio made of natural stone, pavers are super low maintenance and will look as beautiful in ten or twenty years as they do the day your patio installation is completed.

The very nature of pavers makes them a wise investment. Should some sort of underground repair be needed or you decide to add onto paver patios in the future, they can be picked up and reused to put the paving back together again. Pavers fit together like a puzzle, making it possible to restore the patio surface and the repair would not be noticeable. One certainly can’t accomplish that with poured concrete.

Adding soft accents to the paver pattern can give you great focal points and break up a large expanse of paver attractively. The most common accent is a circle pattern. At times a homeowner would love to add an outdoor fire pit to their new patio, yet it just isn’t possible with their budget. By integrating a circle inlay where the fire pit is desired to be makes it easy to add this feature later on without the need to also extend the patio. To save on the amount of labor required to put in the fire pit in the future, it is wise to have the gas line installed under the patio. This means half the patio won’t need to be torn up and replaced when work on the fire pit begins. The same is true of water lines or electrical that would run beneath pavers to feed other features you may want to add later, such as spas or outdoor gas grills.

All over Scottsdale and Phoenix, patio designs that are most highly sought are those created with pavers. This isn’t surprising. They are easy to care for, beautiful and will never depreciate in value.

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If you’re looking for a plant that does well with less water in Arizona xeriscaping landscaping that also pumps out colorful blooms, and is simple to care for, you just might enjoy the Cape Mallow. Here’s an evergreen shrub that presents you with a variety of looks many people like for their Glendale landscaping. It looks great year around, but is even more lovely from spring through fall, not to mention the fact that it is easily maintained at a smaller size than larger shrubs allow in order to retain a handsome presence in your landscape design.

Cape Mallow comes from South Africa where the climate is very similar to ours here in the Glendale, Arizona area. It’s formal name is Anisodontea x hypomandurum and it is a distinctive evergreen with larger ornately cut leaves. The dense foliage of this plant when installed in well draining soil and on a regular fertilization and watering schedule is excellent for shearing into a formal shape. The natural, softer look is also highly desirable in xeriscaping landscaping where a relaxed feeling is wanted. It will mature to about 6-feet tall and 4-feet wide, and is a great candidate for training into a tree form that is just gorgeous during the blooming months.

A moderately drought tolerant specimen, the Cape Mallow is best watered at least three to four times a month in spring and fall, and a bit more often in the high temperatures of summer. Drip irrigation is best as it allows all water used to be immediately available to the roots. All blooms appear on new growth, so periodic pinching back or clipping is advisable for heavier blooming and denser shape. If you’ve added a tree form to your yard, you will definitely want to keep up on maintaining that lovely globe shaped head. Just don’t shear it too often. Remember that the flowers appear on new growth, so allowing it to grow is highly recommended.

For best enjoyment, choose a place in full sun to plant your Anisodontea. If the soil is clay in that spot, it must be well amended to give your new specimen the right situation to thrive and be free of disease. Poorly draining soil can cause root rot during the rainy season, quickly killing the plant. Something you won’t have to worry about with proper planting preparation.

Image courtesy of john.kwasnik, by CC 2.0

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One of the great things about custom designed Phoenix BBQ grills is you can have the one on your backyard patio created to accommodate both your cooking or entertaining wishes and the available space. A totally different situation than the standard portable gas grill where mobility is more important than grilling prep space. A concept that was perfectly adequate when most people did nothing more than cooking hamburgers and steaks over the open flame.

As our use of outdoor barbeques has evolved, so has our need for better designed outdoor cooking spaces. If you entertain large groups often, full blown outdoor kitchen may be the best design direction to take. For most homeowners, the smaller BBQ island design is perfectly suited to their outdoor cooking needs.

Slip-in Phoenix BBQ grills give you a lot of room to play with the island design, and the placement of the grill in it’s length too. Picking the shape of the cabinet means you can get away from rectangles and consider the benefits of curved and even S-shape designs. Both these options soften the hard edges we normally have in permanent Phoenix landscaping elements. Additionally, they can add a lot more style to that patio than going with the expected long straight shape.

Before getting started on the project of a unique you built in gas grill’s cabinet design, you need to think about usefulness of your outdoor cooking space and whether you will want enough room for serving too. This particular stucco BBQ grill design with the curve puts objects and recipe ingredients closer to the grill as the counter wraps around the chef. Think about how fast one must react to adding the next sauce or flipping the fish while you’re preparing a meal on the barbeque. Situating the gas grill in a way that puts everything important to the task in quick and easy reach will allow you to become more adept at whipping up culinary masterpieces than if not ‘kitchen planning’ goes into the design at all. Remember there is a big difference between cooking on your stove and grilling over open flames. Excelling is accomplished more readily and consistently if you are properly equipped and prepared for each step of the cooking process, rather than scurrying around and hopefully saving the food in the nick of time.

This client of ours has different levels in the patio design’s appeal too, notice the paver steps leading up to the raised built in gas grill’s location. Not only is the BBQ grill’s cabinet and counter curved, but so is the space it occupies in their Phoenix landscape design as well.  The round raised outdoor bar connected to the grilling area of the cabinet doubles as both seating and serving space, depending on the occasion.

Consider all your needs and how to make your Phoenix BBQ grill’s usefulness the perfect addition to your backyard living space and your landscape design. Its the secret to having the perfect built in gas grill’s assets at your fingertips, rather than being disappointed once you have started using the new feature.

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