Basics of Focal Points. If an area is longer than it is wide put a focal point at its terminus.
Notice the niche pruned into the evergreen hedge for the statue. Below.
Birmingham, England Botanical Garden last month.
Shooting to avoid ugliness, the offending door/light fixture are to the left.
Hippie Chick has other porches. We've sat and gossiped on the others but not here. Why? There to design we start working the moment my foot hits her property.
I'll find the pics of her backyard we did last year. It has a new cistern, clothesline and vegetable garden.......... Will get shots of her new frontdoor/light fixture soon.
Sir Walter Scott's garden taught me about the well placed chair. I have lots. In summer I pull this chair to my tub to hold drink/book/umbrella/phone. In winter I pull it into a sunbeam and eat lunch if I'm lucky enough to be home. English daisy was planted by a passing bird.
My woodland walk is what most people in a subdivision call the airconditioning side of the house. See my airconditioner? Fallen branches are used for edging to make the pathway pop. Canopy, understory and groundcovers. Design rules have been followed. 3 rooms overlook this woodland walk.
A gated community, Lady of the Lake created a private world. Maintaing canopy/understory trees, flowering shrubs, perennials. The drive is simple, elegant, inviting, and crunches 'welcome'. Don't kid yourself. This natural view is as designed as any landscape.
Further along the gravel drive. The gate with 'found' wooden handle setting a tone. Vines adding lushness in a tight spot. Notice the stain color. It is used on fencing, decking and home. Color unifies simply.
Lady of the Lake's front door from inside. Her cabin is tiny, on purpose. She built a guest cottage so she could keep her home small.
Looking into her frontdoor from outside. A double axis. Both views great.
One angle from masterbedroom. All of the windows have woodland views and many have lake views. Lady of the Lake asked for a tiny bit of garden design help. Her garden on tour in a few days. The only change needed was removing a few signs with words. Words on signs in a landscape keep it static, not letting the mind flow. Of course there are exceptions.
Upstairs guest room overlooking woods & lake.
The bookcase, below, is new. Mounted on the wall, its legs removed. Shelves stuffed with garden, travel and cook books.
Pics taken quickly. I thrive on pics that aren't styled. All of the pics of our Lady of the Lake were natural, no styling. It is her life.
I've seen these steps across Europe. If they're good in someone else's landscape they'll be good in yours. Lutyens did them many times. A bit art deco?
Simple, a 5 bar gate. The Edwardian house understated but grand. Choosing simple wasn't due to low funds but good landscape design. Contrasting formal elements with the informal adds drama. A formal gate, easily afforded, would have ruined the effect of venturing into the Wild Wood. A pleasure garden. Their name before tv, internet, phone........
A stone step without mortar. Flagstone pavers and stone risers. They won't move dug into a gentle slope. The stone wall is drystack, no mortar. Contractors easily oversell this situation with mortar.
Does it get any simpler? A trough, window, vine, stone terrace, good pruning. Notice what's missing? There is no traditional American foundation planting. Joy !!!!
The best urns don't need planting. The old moss, even better.
This urn is a focal point on axis from several directions. 
Stone and bricks in dirt, above. No mortar. Mistress could easily do this herself.
Flagstone terrace in dirt. Use stones 1" thick. Don't use sand/grit you'll track it inside.
Victorian edging tiles create a planting spot. Time to refresh the gravel. The pruning is perfection. Imagine seeing it from inside when leafed out or with a bird on the branch.
