Posts Tagged ‘New Jersey swimming pools’

Mahwah Township Approves New Rain Garden Design Submitted by Our Landscape Architecture Office For Residential Landscaping & Swimming Pool Storm Water Management, The First Such Approval in Bergen County!

Monday, March 30th, 2009

Today, more municipalities are adopting a zero run of policy for residential development to reduce the potential for downhill flooding from over development and help to replenish the watershed.  We at Cipriano Landscape Design understand the need to help improve the quality of water before it enters the ground and, subsequently, the watershed.

Bill Moore Certified New Jersey Landscape Architect and head of our landscape architecture department and I have created a unique rain garden design which meets municipal storm water containment specifications and provide a natural interaction between soil, vegetation and water in order to reduce pollutants such as gas, oil, bacteria-pet waste, road salt, litter, pesticides and fertilizer before entering the ground.

Development and impervious areas reduce the natural capacity of soil and vegetation to absorb rainfall, and Traditional storm water collection for residential properties incorporates 1,000-gallon concrete seepage pits. All impervious areas such as roof, driveway, patios and swimming pools are added up and then, depending on the municipal standards, are contained with the prescribed seepage pits. Seepage pit are design to reduce flooding and erosion but do little to control the quality of water that re-enters the watershed. Improving the quality of water which enters the watershed has major environmental benefits.

A rain garden is a specially landscaped shallow depression that captures and filters polluted storm-water runoff.  It provides storage of the bio-filtered storm water until it permeates the ground and enters the water supply. Plants with deep infiltrating root systems are specifically used in a rain garden design because they must tolerate harsh environments — drought to flooding conditions.  The organic or mulch layer protects the soil from eroding and provides an environment for microorganisms which degrade pollutants.

When designing the unique rain garden system currently being installed in Mahwah, Bill Moore, New Jersey Certified Landscape Architect and I worked closely with the municipal engineer and the project engineer to formulate comprehensive approach. Up hill Runoff from the Ramapo Mountain and pool patio runoff will be piped into certified rain gardens and recharge the watershed with clean bio-filtered water. This sustainable solution also cost 10 to 15 percent less than the traditional seepage pit system which makes it attractive to homebuilders, site work companies, landscape contractors and homeowners.

Adopting sustainable solutions for today’s environmental issues will result in a shift in attitude that can pass health and wellness along to future generations.  Throughout the Spring months, we will be submitting rain garden designs submitted to Allendale, Englewood, Saddle River, Franklin Lakes and Kinnelon as part of ongoing projects. These designs will be available free of charge to all in Summer 2009.

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Cipriano Landscape Design’s Landscape Architecture Department Offers a 3D Virtual Tour of Custom Swimming Pool and Landscaping Projects

Friday, March 6th, 2009

The 3D virtual tour is the perfect solution for understanding swimming pool and landscape blueprints, “it truly feels as though you are walking through your finished landscape” says Peter Elfers a Cipriano client. Award winning New Jersey Certified Landscape Architect Bill Moore is able to transform his professional Auto CAD landscape plans into a scaled 3D model.

See the finishes and details in 3D for all of the structures we build including swimming pools, outdoor kitchens and grills, pergolas, fountains, natural stone patios, waterfalls, steps and walls along with a full plant library which will show garden layering as it will be in the real setting.  Transitional walkways, steps and elevation changes are shown in real time 3D so you can truly understand the spatial relationship of each structure. With the after dark feature you will understand the different night lighting effects, a great way to eliminate hot and cold spots in the landscape and get the most functional landscape lighting package.

With the 3D virtual tour you will see how spaces accommodate furniture, foot traffic and accessibility or if the pool or patio is too large or too small. In seconds you can see how adding or subtracting area affects a space, ensuring your finished project is exactly what you want. Bill reminds homeowners that we fix free plans and to ensure the safety of your family please utilized a licensed landscape architect and certified swimming pool professionals when embarking on difficult  projects.

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The New Jersey Landscape Architecture Division of Cipriano Landscape Design Offers a New Outdoor Home Staging Service to Help New Jersey Residents Combat the Housing Market Decline.

Friday, January 9th, 2009

Due to the severe decline in the housing market, residents in the tri-state area are finding it increasingly difficult to sell their homes.  To combat this challenge, we announced today the launching of a new outdoor home staging service to help residents improve their “curb appeal” and sell their homes faster.

Home staging is a technique traditionally done indoors that prepares a residence for sale and makes it more appealing to potential buyers. However, fixing up the outdoors and improving curb appeal is a vital aspect of selling the home.  According to Smart Money, if you spend five percent of the value of your home on landscaping, and do it wisely, you might get 150 percent of more of your money back. Additionally, in a recent Gallup research project, home buyers revealed that they believe a professionally tuned outdoors will add nearly 15 percent to a home’s selling price. I always stress the view from the street is the first and most important impression on all potential buyers and professionally tuned outdoors will help grab buyers attention from the get-go. This is why outdoor staging is just as important as the traditional indoor service.

To improve curb appeal, I recommend taking simple steps like pressure-washing porches, decks and siding and removing old woodpiles, dilapidated sheds and any outdoor clutter. Also, have the lawn professionally mowed with all leaves and debris picked up. I also suggest fixing up the pathway to the front door, sprucing up the gardens with color and installing a few hanging plants along the front porch.  Repairing or updating an older swimming pool or patio can provide return on investment.   Having a person feel like they can move right in makes all the difference.

For clients with a larger budget, I recommend improving the gardens with distinctive features and a variety of plants. Try creating a natural and comfortable outdoor setting by installing a combination of trees, natural stones and shrubs, also showcasing a unique statue, fountain or urn full of color will help your property stand out from the rest.

Last but certainly not least, I recommend installing professional outdoor lighting.  Most buyers go shopping after work when it may be dark out.  If they can’t see the favorable characteristics of your home, they might pass right by.
The outdoor home staging service we offer ranges from a home visit with do-it-yourself suggestions, the sale or rental of garden elements and outdoor furniture to a complete landscaping and swimming pool makeover. For more information, call the Ramsey office @201-785-0800.

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