When designing a deck and landscape project we decided to incorporate a half wall and planter to create and define space and circulation. We also wanted to have a sculptural focal point within the planter. The planter also sat right where an old light post was removed during the demolition phase of our project. So, […]

Posted in Garden Art, Landscape, Landscape Lighting, Sculpture Comments Off on Landscape Light with Frank Lloyd Wright Taste

The snow viewing, or yukimi, style Japanese lantern is a wonderful lantern. This lantern received its name from the cap, or roof, of the piece that is much broader than other lantern styles. This cap is either round, hexagon or octagon in shape and because of its size looks quite pretty after snow fall. This […]

Posted in Asian Gardens, Garden Art, Garden Types, Japanese Garden Design, Landscape, Sculpture No Comments »

The Kasuga style Japanese lantern is a classic.  Today it is often found at or near the entrance of Japanese gardens.  Dating back to the Ashikaga period it was traditionally used as a “guardian” lantern in Japanese temples.  When not used near a garden entrance it serves as a focal point like the one shown […]

Posted in Asian Gardens, Garden Art, Garden Types, Japanese Garden Design, Landscape, Sculpture No Comments »

The Oribe Japanese lantern is a post  style lantern.  This means that the bottom is like a post and set into the ground.  The stone lantern is named after Lord Furuta Oribe, for whom the design was originally created for.  This style is often found in todays japanese gardens adjacent to tsukubai water basin feature. […]

Posted in Asian Gardens, Garden Art, Garden Types, Landscape, Sculpture No Comments »

This garden entrance is flanked with a pair of beautifully carved limetsone shigu.  Shigu is actually a Chinese word used to describe the type of sculpture shown in the picture.  Although the bases are actually unfinished the detailed carving of the dragons, foo dog heads and the phoenix or mythical fire birds.  These decorative stone […]

Posted in Asian Gardens, Entry Monuments, Garden Art, Garden Types, Landscape, Paths, Sculpture, Stairs, Stonework No Comments »

Granite water features like this polished black millstone fountain bring beauty and personality to any garden.  People are attracted to water, just the soothing sound alone releases energy into the air.  There are a number of sculptural choices to set on the top of these types of water features.  There is a plastic prefabricated basin […]

Posted in Asian Gardens, Fountains & Water Features, Garden Art, Garden Types, Japanese Garden Design, Landscape, Sculpture No Comments »

This a great piece in one of our garden projects. We found this hand carved granite statue in Asia, were we fell in love with it and found a home for it here in Minnesota. It was pretty much ignored, neglected and almost lost, although not ancient, it was probably carved about 40-50 years ago. […]

Posted in Asian Gardens, Garden Art, Garden Types, Japanese Garden Design, Landscape, Sculpture No Comments »

The selection of light fixtures is important when designing a landscape lighting plan. This is especially true when choosing path lights.We sometimes select simple fixtures that quietly stand adjacent to sidewalks, pathways, patios, steps and other areas in our landscape projects and in other cases we decide to make a statement.This is where a custom […]

Posted in Garden Art, Japanese Garden Design, Landscape, Landscape Lighting No Comments »

Our client wanted us to incorporate a Japanese garden theme for the entry yard area of their Lake Minnetonka home. When we first studied the site we decided that the existing Arborvitae hedge separating the front yard from the auto court should stay and that it was also a good starting point for our new garden. So the garage, hedge and the asphalt auto court were the given physical structures of the project. From there we also decided to keep the foundations of existing brick planters flanking the entry steps and use them with an updated look.

Posted in Asian Gardens, Fences, Garden Art, Garden Types, Japanese Garden Design, Landscape, Stonework No Comments »

The millstone entry fountain commands attention from approaching guests visiting this beautifully landscaped home in Greenwood, Minnesota. As one of the properties on display in the 2000 parade, of homes we have received many compliments for this landscape design and construction work […]

Posted in Asian Gardens, Dry Garden, Fountains & Water Features, Garden Art, Garden Types, Home Landscape Design, Landscape, Patios, Stairs, Stonework No Comments »