Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1526978
Fire is hot in home gardens. "Firepits tend to be more casual, whereas fireplaces traditionally elevate a space," Houchard says. "Naturally, logistics do play a role in this choice. Is the area covered or not? How much exposure to the elements is there? Ultimately it comes down to what makes the most sense for the project, given style, space, and the homeowner's objectives." Invest, heavily, in furniture. The best investment one can make in an outdoor space, Houchard says, is quality furniture. He suggests a high and low mix so clients don't have to replace the same items every season. Beloved brands include McKinnon and Harris, Janus et Cie, Brown Jordan, Kingsley Bate, and Santa Barbara Designs umbrellas. Houchard notes that umbrellas are notorious for needing to be replaced each season unless they are invested in PAPERCITY PROMOTION Advice from the Master of Chic W ith cooler weather on the horizon, Dallas is coming alive. These are the temperatures we live for as we return to the great outdoors. Dan Houchard, owner and lead designer of Houchard Design Group, one of Dallas' most sought-after landscape design and installation firms, has the Slim Aarons garden scene down to a science. Here, four rules culled from knowledge and years of expertise, for creating the ideal garden oasis. Land rules. "It's all about the real estate," says Houchard. "The best spaces are large enough to host the amount of people you typically host, but small enough that they still feel intimate and cozy." Like most things in life, it's how you use what you're given. Houchard recommends having an overall layout that takes into account as much of the garden as possible, while keeping an eye on the balance between what's used and what's kept for green space. "Balancing our clients' needs versus wants within the given amount of room available is typically our greatest challenge," Houchard says. "We spend a good deal of time focusing on how the garden space will actually be used and narrowing in on that. This allows us to create a space that feels natural to the environment, is balanced and beautiful, and is also functional for the client and how they will live in the space." Garden Dan Houchard's 4 Rules for Glamorous Green Spaces properly the first time. He also recommends investing in quality quick-dry cushions that withstand mildew. Room with a view. One project Houchard loves to introduce to his clients is outdoor rooms. "I love creating garden rooms with focal points that create visual destinations in a garden and really pull you into a particular space, either visually or physically!" he says. "It's that postcard view we all desire to be able to live in every day." Houchard Design Group 1415 Slocum Street #105 info@houchard.com houchard.com houcharddesign Dan Houchard 118