Our Top 10 Ideas To Incorporate Masonry Into Your Outdoor Designs
The term ‘masonry’ is quite a broad one and can be applied to many different types of materials and design. Here at Sal’s Nursery and Landscaping we have a strong passion for masonry work since our company was founded based on this craft over 50 years ago. Incorporating masonry into your design can be a wonderful way to make a strong impact with practical and durable materials, and we wanted to share our top 10 ways in which we love to incorporate it. 1. Pools We love the look of these pools that integrated waterfalls and waterslides with some masonry work to give the pools a very natural, but high-end finish. 2. Fire Pits & Fireplaces Masonry goes hand-in-hand with fireplaces and fire pits and fits perfectly with the warm ambiance that sitting around a fire creates. 3. Outdoor Kitchens & Grill Stations We love bringing the indoors outside for our clients and masonry allows us to combine traditional kitchen elements with outdoor materials to really create some amazing outdoor kitchen spaces. 4. Patios Probably one of the more traditional ways in which masonry is used, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less exciting than the other options. Each patio can have a completely different feel due to the materials used, always creating unique designs. 5. Structures & Additions For those who are looking for the ultimate outdoor living space this is a great way to incorporate masonry design! From adding on a complete home addition to adding an awesome bar to the pool space, this is definitely a way to create some impact! 6. Walkways Another very practice, but beautiful way to incorporate pavers or stonework into your home is creating walkways and paths to connect the various areas of our outdoor space. 7. Entryways Creating a great first impression is something everyone wants when their guests arrive at their home, and incorporating masonry into your entryways is a sure thing to make a great first impression. This ranges from stairs at your door to walls and pavers at the entrance to the driveway! 8. Columns Utilizing columns built of stone or other sturdy masonry materials can pair nicely with other elements such as patios or walkways. In addition, because of their larger size can be a great way to incorporate lighting for both a beautiful and functional design! 9. Landscaping The ideas to incorporating masonry into your landscaping are almost endless, but present a great way to add some non-traditional elements such as boulders or larger stones to the more traditional elements of flowers and shrubs. 10. Retaining Walls And last, but certainly not least, utilizing masonry to create retaining walls for your landscaping or around your patio can really add a stunning practical, but visual element to bring your outdoor space to that next level.
Getting to Know Our Process
Starting the process of realizing your dream project can be daunting. It’s easy to get overwhelmed at the thought of “Where do I start?” and put it off for another year. But the landscaping process doesn’t have to be intimidating! Whether you’re thinking about a new pool, patio, or landscaping, this post will help you understand our steps for bringing your dreams to life! Step 1: Consultation Reach out to us via our contact form or by giving us a call at (215) 699-9080. We’ll set-up an appointment with one of our designers who will meet with you at your home. They will listen to your ideas and requirements and use them to build a custom project plan. Step 2: Surveying After the initial meeting, our designer will come back to your property in order to take pictures and make sketches of the project area. This helps us understand the layout of the land and the yard conditions so we can explore all opportunities and deliver a product that meets your expectations! Step 3: Design! A blueprint and proposal of your project are created, including: the project design, a breakdown of materials, labor, and costs. Depending on your needs, we will present sketches, aerial views, and/or 3D renderings to help illustrate the final product. (Check out this blog post to learn more about how we use 3D visualization videos) Step 4: Contract & Prep Work Once you are 100% happy with the design, we’ll draw up a formal contact and proposal. Next, we build a schedule and lay out the preliminary work including contacting underground utility services and acquiring permits. We’ll insure that the necessary steps are taken so that your project goes off without a hitch! Step 5: The Personal PM You are assigned a personal project manager as well as a project plan document containing an approximate schedule of activities so you know what to expect every step of the way. Transparency is key and we want to make sure you’re involved in your project as much as you want to be. Step 6: Construction As construction progresses, the designer will visit the site periodically to ensure everything is running smoothly and to make adjustments as needed based on your feedback or the project manager’s. They will be right there with you until the project is complete and everyone is happy! CONGRATULATIONS! You can now enjoy you’re amazing outdoor oasis! (That wasn’t so hard now was it?) Step 7: How have you been? To insure you’re 100% satisfied with the project we’ll do a one year follow-up to make sure you’re loving your new space! Check out the project below to see some before, after, and in progress images of some of our past projects! Before And After – Project 1 Before And After – Project 2 Before And After – Philly Design Home 2014 Before And After – Project 3
Flowers & Valentine’s Day: Infographic
In celebration of Valentine’s Day this weekend we thought we’d share some interesting facts in this fun infographic about all the flowers given out on this day! Enjoy and we hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Getting To Know Sal’s Nursery
We love getting to know our customers and working with them on a personal level, so we thought it would only be fair to share some of our history to help you get to know us a little better as well! Like many individuals and companies, we look to our past roots to really understand who we are where we come from. The business started early on when Mr. Frank Antonucci immigrated from Maida, Italy and settled into the Ambler region of Pennsylvania. Having the skill set of an established mason he decided to purchase a property in 1956 and created a masonry company. He worked hard to grow his business and eventually he was joined by his son. His son, Salvatore Antonucci, a World War II veteran, learned his father’s craft and continued in the tradition of masonry work. While he continued the masonry work, and with the help of his wife, Mary, he also decided to expand the company to include a cut your own Christmas tree farm. In 1968, just 12 years after his father started his masonry company, Salvatore Antonucci laid the foundation for what would become the start of Sal’s Nursery and Landscaping, Inc, by starting to grow his nursery stock. Three short years later in 1971, Sal’s Garden Center was officially registered as a nursery highlighting an inventory of unique plant selections and establishing the business as a premier garden center early on. As Sal’s Garden Center continued to bloom and blossom the company expanded into what we know it as today, Sal’s Nursery and Landscaping, Inc. Continuing into a third generation, Salvatore Antonucci’s son, John Antonucci, oversees the business with his staff who continue the standards of hard work, integrity and quality workmanship implemented by Frank, Salvatore, and Mary. Over 50 years later we’re still a family owned and operated company, taking pride in maintaining those quality standards and developing personal relationships with customers, just as if they were our own family.