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Updating Your Landscape: An Interview with Tony Martin of the Etowah Group
Tell us about your company and why it was founded.
The Etowah Group began with a simple vision: create stunning results and extraordinary outdoor environments for our clients through outstanding landscape design, construction and maintenance services.
We strive for a very high standard every day by listening to our clients and designing and creating landscapes that bring their visions to life. With each design, the Etowah Group adds a sense of beauty, satisfaction and prestige to our client’s property through comprehensive landscaping and maintenance services.
When is the best time of year to re-invent your landscaping and why?
Our brains get fatigued after working for long periods of time, “particularly if we have to concentrate intensely or deal with a repetitive task.” Taking a break may or may not help deal with stress during high-pressure times.
One thing we shouldn’t forget is that our yards provide the main attention of our homes. Being in a pleasing outdoor space can help you achieve a more optimistic view on your life, bringing you both visual stimulation and helping to increase your perceived happiness.
Research shows that people who spend extended lengths of time around plants tend to have better relationships with others and success in business. It also increases energy levels and feelings of vitality. Children’s learning capabilities are enhanced in an outdoor environment, helping them to focus and concentrate.
Today is the best time to start on your landscape improvements. Let us help you to bring your vision to life with our award-winning designers and improve your quality of life.
What are common reasons why homeowners are unhappy with their current landscaping?
You expect your outdoor living area to reflect your style and meet your expectations. It could be mostly for entertaining, for meditation, quiet and calm, or serve multiple needs that reflect different styles from traditional, European, collective, contemporary and modern.
The Etowah Group’s approach is unique – it begins with listening and understanding our customers – whether discussing a complex commercial project or annual residential maintenance plan. From there, Etowah will help you create an exciting new vision for your property from both a functional and aesthetic point of view.
How often do you suggest a homeowner update their landscaping?
Keeping your yard maintained is essential to enjoying your outdoor environment for many years. Along with maintenance it may require replacement, removal or additions as the years go by due to weather damage or overgrowth. Or you may simply want a change as lifestyles or expectations change as well. This may be the time to decide to update your existing landscaping.
Our goal is provide you with the long-term master plan, help you prioritize and let your yard grow and mature over time.
What are new trends that homeowners are implementing in their landscaping currently?
Although we may enjoy tasks like pruning, deadheading old blossoms, hand-watering, weeding and checking on our plants daily, our busy schedule requires more low maintenance gardens. “Keep it simple,” planting in sweeps and masses of a few plants is a popular way of reducing maintenance.
In recent years, the terms Sustainable Design and Design for Sustainability have become more globally accepted. Sustainable Development is defined as: “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet these needs.”
Do you have any suggestions for the do-it-yourselfer who just wants to make a few changes around their yard?
Do-it-yourself projects are great way to get outside, spend time with nature and take advantage of all your outdoor environment while saving money.
Before you go to a nursery or a store, we highly recommend you talk to a professional (not from that place unless they provide a design service) and explain your ideas. He/she will work with you and outline your long-term, as well as short-term plans to get you started.
You may need to hire a company for structural work, then you can finalize the gardening by following your landscape architect/designer’s master plan.
What is the best way to contact you and your company?
The Etowah Group offers free consultations for all your outdoor needs. Call Vanessa Hodges at 678-354-0757 and she will direct you to the correct department. For general questions, contact Vanessa Hodges via vanessa@etowahgroup.com.
Our design consultant, Melda Duckworth would also look forward to talking to you about your next outdoor improvement. To set up a time for a free consultation, contact her at melda@etowahgroup.com.
Mike Lawson serves as construction manager for all home renovation and maintenance projects and can be reached at mike@etowahgroup.com