A historical home is truly something special; it deserves to be honored and preserved and so does the landscape surrounding it. Whether a home is authentically historical, or designed to imitate a period of history, it should have the perfect historical landscape to accompany it. Add to the significance of a home by layering a historical-inspired landscape design using materials from our landscape supply in the State College and York, PA, areas. These ideas will help you to complement the character of the home, and honor its history.
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Traditional Materials
When planning a landscape design that showcases the historical character of a home, it is important to use materials that have been used in the time period you are modeling. The use of traditional materials will help to create an authentically beautiful space that can be fully used and enjoyed. There are a variety of materials that you can choose from, depending on the time period of the home. Layering different elements into the design will allow you to be creative while adding to the house’s historical beauty.
Common Themes
Many landscapes that are designed with a historic influence have some common themes, such as the use of bricks and stones, or certain color combinations. These similarities often originate from the availability of materials before the modern times in which we live. However, even with these similarities, your design can still be unique. Historically influenced designs are inspired by many different locations, time periods, and building styles. If you know the history of the home, you can stay as authentic as possible by researching different landscaping techniques from the time and place where the home was built.
The Base Layer
Plan your design from the ground up with your choice of bricks or historically accurate pavers. Bricks are a go-to material for historically inspired hardscaping. They have been around for millennia, and were used in many towns for road and building construction as they were easy to come by and helped mitigate fire hazards. The practicality of this material turned into a historical hallmark. The beauty of true brick comes from the unique color variations in each one, as clay from the earth will include varied hues. Bricks are one of the most versatile materials to use for historical hardscaping, as they can be arranged together in many different patterns.
Natural stone is another traditional material used in historical landscapes, and is a beautiful option to enhance the appeal of a home. Flagstone, bluestone, or granite can be used to create elegant walkways or elevated patios. The variations in the size, shape, and color of natural stone enable unique landscape designs.
Adding On
Continue using traditional materials such as brick and natural stone as you add onto the base layer of your historical design. Incorporate these materials into fencing, garden borders, and masonry benches. Depending on the historical time period and style of your design, consider incorporating wood pillars on the front porch or with a backyard pergola.
Final Touches
Another common theme throughout history is the use of decorative iron structures, such as benches, fences, and balcony borders. Iron was not only a strong material but could also be crafted into very decorative patterns. Accent the historical aesthetic with antique wrought iron or cast iron structures, from benches to fences, garden decorations and planters, to put the perfect finishing touches on what will become a stunning historical landscape.
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