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Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Landscaping Project

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Spring is in the air and if you’re like most Southern Californians, you’re probably daydreaming of warm summer nights in your backyard or lazy afternoons spent lounging around the pool! Why not make this the year your dreams become reality?  We have over twenty-four years of experience helping our clients create their ideal backyard oasis. We’ve managed all sorts of projects, from large to small, and along the way we’ve created a list of important questions every potential client should consider before starting a landscaping project. Taking the time to think through these questions with your spouse or family is incredibly helpful. It allows us to quickly and efficiently understand your vision, and then bring it to life. What is Your Budget?  Above all else, you need to get really clear on your budget. Do you want to spend $10,000 creating your new backyard? $100,000? We have all sorts of strategies we can employ to shape your vision to match your budget. Knowing what you can afford to
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6 Houseplants to Gift for Valentine’s Day

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This Valentine’s Day, instead of flowers, candy, and chocolate, give a gift that will last! Houseplants are a great way to show someone you care as they’ll be reminded of you the whole year through.  While there are thousands of options out there to choose from, we’ve selected our top six favorite houseplants to gift for Valentine’s Day below!  Heartleaf Philodendron  With its heart-shaped leaves and vivid green color, this houseplant is a great choice for the person you love! Your sweetheart doesn’t have to have a green thumb to take care of it either. The Heartleaf Philodendron is easy to grow indoors. It only needs a small pot and moderate to bright light.  Click here to check out some care tips for this plant.  String of Hearts  You’ve probably seen the String of Pearls succulent before, but did you know that there’s a String of Hearts succulent that offers a similar, gorgeous trailing leaf effect? Also known as ceropegia woodii , this beautiful plant has pale green, heart-shaped
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How We Help You Visualize Your San Diego Landscape Design Project

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Happy New Year to all our friends and clients at IEE Designs! We’re excited to head into another year doing what we love – helping people transform and beautify their spaces.  With over 24 years of experience, we have our process dialed in to help you easily visualize how the changes will look in your yard once complete.  Here’s how we do it:  Our First Meeting  During our first meeting, we get to know you and what you’re hoping to achieve through our work together. Some of our clients want to install a pool, add more space for entertaining, or just do something practical with an odd-shaped lot. Whatever your goals, we are here to make them come to life.  We sit down to understand your vision, budget, and any special needs or accommodations you have. Our conversation is equal parts strategy and education. Sometimes what you had in mind won’t fit your budget or space, so we work with you to devise an alternative.  The Visuals  After our first meeting, we bring all the ideas together to
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Fireplace vs. Fire Pit: Choosing the Right Fire Feature for Your San Diego Backyard

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The holidays are here which means cooler weather for Southern California! While sunny days and little rain mean we get to enjoy our backyards and patio spaces year-round, the nights can get a bit cold during the winter months.  Installing a fireplace or fire pit in your backyard can add some much-needed warmth and light to those chilly California evenings. But how do you know which one is best for your space?  FUNCTION We always ask clients how they intend to use their new, redesigned space to help them evaluate their options and make the right choices. Do you have visions of cocktails enjoyed around the fire pit? Or an elegant dinner party? Since there’s no way to direct the smoke, fire pits can often feel smoky. If you plan to entertain a lot, a fireplace would likely be a better fit since you can enjoy the heat without the smoke. On the other hand, if you have more casual uses planned, a fire pit might be just fine.  Space is also a consideration. Fireplaces are easier to tuck to th
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Location: RJ6F+65 San Diego, CA, USA
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Halloween Plants and Flowers for Your Home and Office

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Halloween is right around the corner! However, decorating your home or office for Halloween doesn’t have to mean going all out with skeletons and spiderwebs. If you’re looking for a way to bring the colors of the season into your space, there are several attractive plants with red, orange, yellow, and brown hues. Keep reading to learn more about a few of our top choices for autumn.  Marigolds  Marigolds are known for their beautiful, golden yellow flowers. An annual plant, they are pretty forgiving to novice plant owners and can be grown indoors if given enough sunlight. When grown outdoors, they complement other plants in the garden and can act as a “cover crop” to reduce root knot nematodes. They also provide visual interest when included in an indoor arrangement with other flowers and plants. There are several different varieties of marigolds so if you need help selecting the perfect plant for your space this fall, give us a call! We offer ongoing plant care services as well to h
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Location: San Diego, CA, USA
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Pool or Jacuzzi? Which is Best for Your San Diego Home

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One of the best things about living in Southern California is hands down the weather. We have sunny, warm days all year long. That means adding a pool or jacuzzi to your backyard just makes sense, since you can get a lot of enjoyment out of it.  However, installing a pool or a jacuzzi is a significant investment. Not just financially either. Whether you choose a pool, a spa, or both, you’re going to either have to put in some time yourself to maintain it or hire someone to come regularly and do the work for you. Pools also take up a lot of room in the backyard.  If you know you want to add a water feature to your yard but aren’t sure if a pool or a jacuzzi makes more sense, here are a few things to consider. Feel free to also give us a call to discuss your options – we would love to help you create your dream backyard!  Space Requirements  Pools take up more square footage than spas in general, but they can also be customized to fit your yard. One of the most important things to consid
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Location: San Diego, CA, USA
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What to Consider When Installing an Outdoor Shower

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  Outdoor showers are a great feature to have in San Diego. You can rinse off after the beach, pool, or working in the yard before coming in the house. When I meet with clients about designing their dream backyard, the question of an outdoor shower often comes up. It’s a nice-to-have amenity that doesn’t take up a lot of space. An ideal choice for a coastal home on a smaller lot. If you are thinking of installing an outdoor shower, here are a few things to consider. 1. Plumbing This is one of the biggest considerations when choosing where to place an outdoor shower. You’ll need water in your shower and it’s best if you can tap into an existing line. An easy option is to just place your shower on the other side of the kitchen or bathroom. However, if you have your heart set on the freestanding shower of your dreams with both hot and cold water taps, it can still be done with a little more planning and expense. You’ll also need to check in with local city and county regulations which b
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Location: San Diego, CA, USA
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