Visit: http://www.lifeshopcollection.com/
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Outdoor Furniture
If you are in the market for outdoor furniture, consider something a little more unusual. These furniture pieces are all eye catchers and would provide a fantastic focal point in a modern and stylized backyard.
Visit: http://www.lifeshopcollection.com/
Visit: http://www.lifeshopcollection.com/
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Snap Sudbury found Draftroots at the Sudbury Home Show
Event Code: pe4sfv
Click on the following link to see posting :
http://www.snapsudbury.com/?option=com_sngevents&id%5B%5D=146537&utm_source=paper&utm_medium=snapd
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Stick Sculpture - The Work of Laura Spector
Here is an artist that produces some incredible and inspiring sculpture.
As noted on her website, stick sculptor Laura Spector elaborates on her work:
"I work with a vine called Oriental Bittersweet. Oriental Bittersweet was imported to this country from Asia in the mid-19th Century for use as a decorative vine in the garden. With no natural predators to keep its growth in check, the vines took over gardens and woodlands, killing trees and shrubs by strangulation. Now considered an invasive weed, I am granted permits from various land trusts, The Audubon, towns, parks and hydraulic companies to forage their properties to help rid them of this beautiful, but dangerous vine. In short, my work helps save our beautiful specimen trees while recycling the vines into a functional object of beauty. As such, my work has the distinction of being environmentally correct. "
What a great example of taking something negative (an invasive plant) and turning it into something spectacular.
As noted on her website, stick sculptor Laura Spector elaborates on her work:
"I work with a vine called Oriental Bittersweet. Oriental Bittersweet was imported to this country from Asia in the mid-19th Century for use as a decorative vine in the garden. With no natural predators to keep its growth in check, the vines took over gardens and woodlands, killing trees and shrubs by strangulation. Now considered an invasive weed, I am granted permits from various land trusts, The Audubon, towns, parks and hydraulic companies to forage their properties to help rid them of this beautiful, but dangerous vine. In short, my work helps save our beautiful specimen trees while recycling the vines into a functional object of beauty. As such, my work has the distinction of being environmentally correct. "
What a great example of taking something negative (an invasive plant) and turning it into something spectacular.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Microclimates: How to push the boundaries of plant hardiness.
Understanding plant zoning is essential for any gardener, novice and experienced alike. During a visit through one of the many abundant big box stores, I noted several species of perennials that are not cold hardy for our Sudbury winters. Due to the eye catching appeal of such a foreign plant, one has the innate desire to take that unique specimen home for a special spot in the garden. What is not so evident to the aspiring green thumb is that the exotic looking perennial will not be returning from the ground next spring. Once winter brings snow and ice - the expensive purchase is never to be seen again.
Generally speaking, when designing a garden in Sudbury and the surrounding areas, I work with plants & trees with a maximum zone 4 : -34 to -29 C . Zone 3B would be an even safer choice. Zoning is an important factor when selecting perennials and trees, but it is not the only thing that needs to be considered. Soil types, wind, Sun and shade are other key factors that one must also take into account.
But how does one maximize their current zone? One answer is to create a microclimate or identify an existing one in your garden. A brick wall in the sun offers an amplified warm spot for any sun loving, heat loving perennial. A fence, hedge, or thick evergreen can provide shelter from the cold winter winds. A tree, pergola, or arbour will cast enough shade to cool your garden and keep the soil from too quickly drying up. Water can be used in countless ways to create cool spots in the garden. Ammending the soil as well as changing the acidity levels can also greatly affect the growing conditions in a localized area.
See the attached image for zone differentiation.
Generally speaking, when designing a garden in Sudbury and the surrounding areas, I work with plants & trees with a maximum zone 4 : -34 to -29 C . Zone 3B would be an even safer choice. Zoning is an important factor when selecting perennials and trees, but it is not the only thing that needs to be considered. Soil types, wind, Sun and shade are other key factors that one must also take into account.
But how does one maximize their current zone? One answer is to create a microclimate or identify an existing one in your garden. A brick wall in the sun offers an amplified warm spot for any sun loving, heat loving perennial. A fence, hedge, or thick evergreen can provide shelter from the cold winter winds. A tree, pergola, or arbour will cast enough shade to cool your garden and keep the soil from too quickly drying up. Water can be used in countless ways to create cool spots in the garden. Ammending the soil as well as changing the acidity levels can also greatly affect the growing conditions in a localized area.
See the attached image for zone differentiation.
Click on following link fo more information.
http://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/nsdb/climate/hardiness/intro.html
Sunday, March 28, 2010
2010 Sudbury Home Builder's Spring Home Show
Opportunities abound for Draftroots Design, as the 2010 Sudbury Home Show comes to an end. Despite a few setbacks in the booth construction, including missing materials and deviations from the original design concept (to my dismay), it succeeded as an effective product display.
It began several months ago when I was asked by Maple Leaf Masonry Supply located on Long Lake Road in Sudbury Ontario, to help them design a booth for the Home Show. After planning was complete for the booth, they invited me to participate in the show.
The Home Show was a successful venture for me as a new small business owner. It was an opportunity to put my business in the public eye, and let the community, including local contractor's know that I exist and what kind of design services I can provide. It was a great experience just for the connections made between myself and other business owners in the landscape industry.
I have been told that the booth will ultimately be moved to the store location on Long Lake Road and reconstructed to reflect the original intent of the design.
Concept Sketch
Under Construction
Home Show in Action
It began several months ago when I was asked by Maple Leaf Masonry Supply located on Long Lake Road in Sudbury Ontario, to help them design a booth for the Home Show. After planning was complete for the booth, they invited me to participate in the show.
The Home Show was a successful venture for me as a new small business owner. It was an opportunity to put my business in the public eye, and let the community, including local contractor's know that I exist and what kind of design services I can provide. It was a great experience just for the connections made between myself and other business owners in the landscape industry.
I have been told that the booth will ultimately be moved to the store location on Long Lake Road and reconstructed to reflect the original intent of the design.
Concept Sketch
Under Construction 
Home Show in Action See http://www.draftroots.com/ image gallery for more design images.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Standing Rock Sculpture - Revisited
In a previous post, I featured a quick design sketch on how to create a standing rock sculpture. Here are some photos of the finished product. (It seems a gardener can only find time for these projects in early spring - before any growth occurs in the garden.) I am patiently awaiting the first big spring rain to wash the stones clean.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)