Scott Cohen shares his expertise in 3 articles in the August/September 2010 issue of Water Garden News.
Here are excerpts from each article.
from "Fire Elements Make a Hot Trend" by Emily Lambert |
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"Fire in outdoor settings provides light and warmth, encourages conversation, and the water provides a reflective surface that magnifies its beauty", said Scott Cohen, owner of The Green Scene in Northridge CA. "It's really a powerful trend in outdoor design, especially around water features." Cohen said establishing the best location for an outdoor fire element is the first step. |
"If you have a lot with a view, locate fire features at the edge of the property in a place where people will have the chance to enjoy the fire while taking in the surroundings", he said. "Consider the view from indoors, too. Place features where they can be seen easily from the interior living and entertainment space, so people can enjoy the show indoors and out." |
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Cohen magnifies the fire's effect by using a generous number of gas rings. "You'll be able to adjust the flame from mild to wild to suit the mood of the evening," he said. Cohen said seeding his cast concrete countertops and fireplaces with recycled glass adds luster. Design trends are bigger today. "People want not just a fire pit, but a conversation area with multiple fire features around a pool or a pond," said Scott Cohen. He reported integrating built in grills, which go up or down to disappear from view, into outdoor fireplaces. |
from "Pros Report Advances in Biological Engineering" by Lori Luechtefeld |
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Beyond waterfall and bead filters, Scott Cohen said plant importance cannot be understated when discussing biofiltration." We talk a lot about types of filters and skimmers , but I think plants are of paramount importance," he said. Not only do plants aerate ponds and filter out toxins, he said, but they also add beauty. |
from "Outdoor Living Drives Hardscape Sales" by Lisa Armony |
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Scott Cohen said backyard living spaces increasingly are taking on the home's interior features. The big trend in hardscapes in backyard design is to break the yard up into diffetrent rooms, he said. "Years ago, you put in a patio, a few trees, and maybe a pond. Now we look at space differently," Cohen says. "When we entertain, we have a natural tendency to break up into different groups. We want to design the outdoor yard to accomodate that trend." Cohen's designs include separate living and dining areas and "contemplation areas" where guests can gather around ponds or other water features. Experts reported that fire pots and masonry fireplaces continue to top the list of most requested outdoor amenities, and many said they build retaining walls around fire features for additional built in seating. |
 Builders increasingly incorporate stamped concrete in their hardscape work |
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