The Journal
Journal
Ideas, process, and inspiration for designing a yard you will love to live in.
Pergola Ideas for Florida Outdoor Living
Pergola ideas for Florida homes, including how pergolas differ from arbors and gazebos, the best materials for humidity and wind, louvered options,...
Landscape Lighting Ideas for Florida Homes
Landscape lighting ideas for Florida homes, covering the main lighting techniques, layering, color temperature, low-voltage LED and controls, coastal corrosion, and sea...
Pool Landscaping Ideas for Florida Homes
Pool landscaping ideas for Florida homes, from design styles and low-litter poolside plants to tree setbacks, cool decking, privacy, lighting, and the...
Outdoor Kitchen Design: Layouts and Materials for Florida
How to design an outdoor kitchen that works in Florida, from choosing a linear, L, U, or island layout to materials that...
Backyard Fire Pit Ideas: Rules, Sizing, Seating, and Safety
A practical guide to backyard fire pit ideas for Florida homes, covering local fire rules, setbacks, sizing, seating distance, gas versus wood,...
How Do Smokeless Fire Pits Work? A Plain-English Guide
Smokeless fire pits use a double wall and secondary combustion to burn off most smoke, but fuel and placement still matter. Here...
The Best Hardscape Materials for Florida Homes
Florida hardscape has to handle heat, salt, humidity, and wet feet. Here is how travertine, concrete pavers, porcelain, poured concrete, coquina, shellstone,...
French Drain Guide: How It Works and When to Use One
A French drain is a gravel trench and perforated pipe that carries water in the soil to a lower outlet. Learn how...
Backyard Drainage Solutions for South Florida Yards
Standing water in a South Florida yard usually traces back to grading, compacted soil, downspouts, or a high water table. Here is...
Florida Dry Season Landscaping: When and How to Plant
South Florida's dry season, roughly November through May, is the best time to install a new landscape. Here is when to design,...
What to hand your contractor before the first shovel
The difference between a smooth install and a stressful one is usually the plan. Here is what makes a landscape design easy...
Five ways to plan a front yard that lifts your curb appeal
Curb appeal comes down to a few deliberate choices. Five moves our designers reach for to make the front of your home...