Create Your Own
“Gucci” Landscapes
Charge more and create more demand for your designs when you take your landscapes up a notch! It starts with your own ‘signature’ design ...
 We think landscape designers often serve as “order-takers,” rather than true designers leading the way. How many landscape designs do you see that you can describe as “jaw-dropping?” How many designers take the time and effort to create a unique, design “signature” that sets them apart from the competition?
Years ago, Gary designed a simple patio for a friend, and it had a very classic, architectural look and feel. When it was finished, his friend said, “I never imagined I’d have a ‘Gucci’ patio!” That “Gucci” look was achieved by just a little extra effort, using a mixture of materials and a new twist on a classic design. This effort took an ordinary patio design and stepped it up to a new level ...
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Design Solutions:
A High-Value,
Small-Space Landscape
Our challenge was to fit a huge pool, entertaining area, dining area, focal point, and privacy screening into a very small space. Here’s how we handled it.
 One of the challenges of developing a ‘signature’ style of landscape design and build is to bring high value to every type and size of project (for more on a ‘signature’ style, click on “Gucci” landscape here.
Visual stimuli like this affect mental patterns, too. This garden with four entrances draws visitors from any side through its directional patterns. It allows good circulation patterns, and psychologically, you feel options to go in many directions while still being directed ...
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Meet a Design/Build Revolutionary: Michael Sidlowski
Profile: Michael Sidlowski, Founder & President, Live Oak Landscape Contractor, Piscataway, NJ
Employees: 80 Employees, Peak Season
Mix: 48% Maintenance, 28% Design/Build, 14% Irrigation, 10% Snow
Years in Landscape Business: 20
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What's New
at the Kinman Institute
New Class Schedule
Upcoming Kinman Institute classes will focus on “Design & Construction Techniques,” and will be held January 28 and 29, and February 25 and 26, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio.
“Gucci Look” Landscapes
Gary Kinman will be highlighting the “Gucci Look” in landscape and how to transform your design/build business to become a signature business during the CENTS Show in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, January 27. Plan now to attend CENTS, which is one of the largest regional landscape-focused shows in the country, then join us for our seminar on January 28 and 29.
For more information on the Kinman Institute classes and results, please contact us at:
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Past Articles
Check out these articles from previous issues of Design Build Revolution.
• Construction Notebook: The Real Costs of Site Work
• Manipulating the Eye 2: Using Patterns & Directions
• Don’t Cut Back on Training!
• Manipulating the Eye 1: The Power of Lines in Design
• A New Angle on Pavers
• Inspiration is Everywhere
• Challenge Yourself to Design Better
• The Value of Networking, and Why We Should Network with ‘True’ Peers
• Travel Inspires Us All
• Buy my bushes, please!
• What You Don’t Know Can Help You
• How to Lead Your Business Through Uncertain Times
• Get Paid for Design
Class Schedule
» January 27, 2010 — Gary Kinman presentation at CENTS: "Making Brick Paver Designs 'Gucci'"
» January 28 & 29, 2010 — Design & Construction Techniques Class (Immediately following CENTS 2010)
» February 25 & 26, 2010 — Design/Build Professionalism Class
Details on the classes are available here.
For more information on the Kinman Institute classes and results, please contact us at:
The Kinman Institute
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