Whether you have 1/4-acre lot or a 5-acre estate in Northern Virginia, you can expect the same quality of landscape design service from Isaacs Designs.
To start the process, set up an appointment. Call, e-mail, or request an appointment online — click here.
Step 1 – Analyze the Dreamscape
Isaacs Designs will spend up to an hour at your property, gathering information and noting your ideas for landscaping your home.
We will ask questions that will enable us to create the design based on your likes and dislikes.
Left: Landscape Design Project - Before
Example questions:
What style do you like: Formal? Informal? Natural?
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What do you imagine the end effect to be: Flowers? Foliage? Wildlife? Low maintenance?
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How do you want the landscape to function: Play area? Outdoor cooking? Dining and entertaining? Sunning and sleeping?
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What plants, trees, or flowers do you prefer? What colors?
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What plants, trees, flowers, and colors do you dislike?
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What hardscapes would you like to incorporate: Path? Patio? Retaining wall? What materials would you like to use for these items?
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What other features would you like: Sculpture? Water feature? Furniture?
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What elements of the current landscape do you want to retain?
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What don’t you like about the current landscape?
We also will establish your budget for completing the landscaping job. With such a wide variety of plant sizes and prices to choose from, it is necessary for you to have a budget in mind as we go forward with your design. It also will be important to determine your budget for annual landscape maintenance.
We will take photographs and detailed measurements of the area(s) to be landscaped. Helpful things to have available at the property visit:
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A copy of your plat/survey
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Photos of the existing property taken at different times of the year (if you have them)
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Photos of landscapes you like (from magazines, the neighborhood, etc.)
Step 2 – Plan the Landscape
A carefully thought-out plan is the key to a successful landscaping project. Planning the landscape is the most time-consuming part of the process. However, most designs are completed within two to three weeks.
The design we create will be based on everything we learned about your lifestyle needs and landscape dreams. We are very thorough in our plant selection, evaluating site location, sun, shade requirements, and plant growth patterns. We also consider drainage, the flow between the house and the landscape, and the various uses you envision for the outdoor space.
In most cases, your home and property will be photographed during the designer’s visit. A computer program allows us to place images of plants in the photograph. We use shapes and colors that are representative of the plants that we chose for your design. If hardscapes are part of the design, their pattern, color, and layout also will be shown.
Left: Landscape Design Project - Digital Drawing
Sketches and drawings of the design also can be made. This is especially helpful during the design consultation and in cases where the property is overgrown.
The finished pictures will give you a very good idea of what the final, installed landscape project will look like. After you review the design, we can make any fine-tuning adjustments and produce the final plan.
The final plan will include the following:
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A plant placement diagram
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Plant and materials “shopping list”
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General planting and care instructions
Step 3 – Install the Landscape
The landscape can be installed at your
leisure and at your own pace. For many
“do-it-yourselfers,” the installation of the new landscape will itself be a relaxing, rewarding activity.
Be sure to call Miss Utility before you dig:
1-800-257-7777
If a one-day installation turns out to be the best option, Isaacs Designs can be hired to supervise the installation.
Step 4 – Pinch Yourself!
You’re not dreaming anymore. Enjoy your new landscape, designed by Isaacs Designs.
Left: Landscape Design Project - Completed
Photo taken on day of installation. Plants and grass will grow quickly and fill in completely.