A message from Robert Garpiel II

From our Garpiel Landscaping 2008 Year-End Newsletter

Some people, may think you can only get a new home feel by purchasing or building a new home, given our current housing market we are finding a fare number of clients are opting to create outdoor living rooms through strategic renovations to their current home.

We love the idea of home owners rediscovering the joy that comes with an outdoor living and we are seeing a national trend toward creating backyard spaces designed for year round living it is changing the standard and expectation of home design and value.

Another growing trend among our clients is the creation of outdoor spaces that are customized towards each of our clients personal taste and individual lifestyles.  We are seeing areas used for sports and recreation, outdoor cooking and fireplaces. We are able to help design an outdoor living area with new concepts like open aired outdoor home theaters. Imagine watching a movie in your new pool with a customized waterfall complete with LED lighting.  These are some of the trends that will lead our industry into the future.

Outdoor living areas are not just for residences with estate sized lots or for people who do a lot of entertaining. Every family and every sized property has the potential of expanding functional living spaces into the out-of-doors. Much like interior decorating, it's a matter of combining personal taste with budget and considerations.  If the ideas I have described sound like something you may enjoy considering please call my office and I will pair you with a talented designer who will work to create your new outdoor oasis.

A few interesting facts about investing in your landscape....According to articles in Money Magazine:

-In the upper end market, houses that have outdoor living areas sell faster and at the higher end price range.

-Landscaping adds more value than almost any other renovation.

-Landscaping is the one home improvement that appreciates over time.

-Almost two-thirds of architects surveyed by the American Institute of Architects last year reported an increase in demand for outdoor living kitchens, patios and decks.

Rob Garpiel II
President, Garpiel Landscaping Company.