The Seven Wonders of the World were man made. That is they were dreamt up, designed and built by human beings. And if you have traveled the world today you’ll know of a great many more wonders that defy belief. Every single one of these came about as a result of a dream someone had. Someone just like you! If you can dream it, then it can be built. On a more local scale, there are some pretty cool landscaping projects around that match the biggest dreams and make them a reality.

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What is incredible is how our dreams and visions turn to the outside. The best houses today marry indoor and outdoor possibilities. The two are linked. Time and time again, winning design does not stop at the house. It leads us outside to stunning patios, pools and gardens. These areas are becoming the places to make your mark.

The outside space is where everything that is best about a family and couple can happen. It is where we gravitate with all the luxury and all the wonder of design – making your outside spaces a dream come true. The same is true for you and your home. No matter what you have now if you can imagine it, your outside space dream can happen.

What are your dreams?

This is about a wish list. It is about finding a starting place for all the magic to happen. The place that starts is in your imagination. Compile a list of all the things you have ever considered or wanted. If you have thought about it, write it down. Some people love this stage. It allows them to be creative. It may be that you have not thought about or even seen the design that you will settle for. For many people, the pool and water features are central to their vision. Around that, you can place any number of gardens and added spaces. Pergolas, outdoor kitchens, fire pits and spas. The list is endless and you are in charge!

Cut out from magazines, or download and start a file. Let it give you something to work with. When you approach a designer or even an architect, she or he will be able to gather a lot of information from these ideas.

You could already be looking at natural materials. You might be lucky enough to live in an area where local quarries produce stone, marble or even slate. Local materials often possess colors and qualities that will complement your area’s natural feel. These materials might play a fundamental role in your design and build.

Start to get a feel for the scope of your ideas

What is important to you? Is it a family space? Is your focus on intimate relaxation? Perhaps you’d like to open your home up to family and friends? Is it a space where you can enjoy a party? Or is the rural feel of a Tuscan vineyard more your thing? Do you like to be surrounded by greenery? Perhaps you like the feel of the exotic jungle, with large palms creating a balmy and luxurious atmosphere.

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Some people like to create the feeling of a luxury hotel and resort. On the other hand, maybe you like to entertain and cook. Is the focal point a splendid outdoor kitchen, or will you make do with a specialized BBQ area? Are you a big swimmer who likes to put in the lengths, or would a series of slightly smaller and more intimate pools suit you? The questions and the options are endless. But if you start to get an idea of your priorities then you can save a lot of time and money when it comes down to design.

Working out where to start

It takes a while to get to know any piece of land. You want to know how the sun affects it. Does your land sit above the house, or is it a series of terraces that run below? Do you have a view that you would like to focus on or frame?

Bring in the experts

When you have formed a rough idea of what you want, you are going to need to know how much it is all going to cost. The best idea at this stage is to talk to a landscaping company who have a history in the area. They should be specialized enough to know how to deliver the items on your wish list. A company with experience will be able to guide you. They will know how practical your ideas are. In advising you, they will able to make suggestions that you have not even thought of yet. They can advise you the best place for your outdoor kitchen. They will know the options for pools and spa configurations.

Get a ballpark figure for the work

Understand the time frames involved. Figure in the amount of inconvenience during construction. This way you’ll be prepared and know what to expect. What for example will the be costs in maintaining the sumptuous feel of the place? Is it something you’ll be able to handle or will you need to get extra hands to help you?

If you are renovating an existing outdoor space, your considerations may well be different. For example, rather than remove the existing infrastructure in its entirety, you may well be looking at upgrading. The basic structure could stay in place but up to date, modern fixtures and fittings could be added. You could change as much or as little as you wanted to.

Some people feel that the figures presented to them are too high. This is perfect opportunity to look at other options available to you. In fact, some of best building and landscaping solutions come to you when you are forced to rethink plans. It becomes easier to streamline designs. You’ll go back again and again to the wish list you drew up at the beginning and realize the things that are important to you.

Let the games begin

Once you are all agreed the fun and games can begin. This is a very exciting moment in any landscaping job. Many people are surprised by the pace at which machinery can work, and in no time at all your space will resemble a battlefield. Hold onto your courage. Because it is necessary to destroy in order to create!

This phase quickly passes and your materials will start to be put into place. As concrete is poured and things start to take shape, you’ll get a real feel for enormity and real integrity of your project. There will be slow days there will be ones when things move more quickly. But day by day you’ll begin to see your dreams take shape.

Once the planting starts to happen, you’ll know that you are close. Hopefully, you’ll be preparing yourself for a wonderful a party. The sum of your ideas and dreams will always be exceeded by the reality of seeing them manifest. And it will be down to you, your courage and your dream. Above all, it will be yours to enjoy however you choose for a long time to come.