Take It Outside with Carson Arthur

As this is my inaugural blog, I think the best way for us to start our relationship is with a little honesty.

While I love plants and specifically moved to a farm to have more space for the gardens, I’m a landscape designer by trade.  Landscaping is more than just the plants; it includes all of the components of outdoor design, including creating those amazing outdoor rooms that are the hottest trend right now. As a representative for HGTV Canada, Better Homes and Gardens and Cityline, I travel all across North America helping homeowners define their outdoor spaces. However, when I walk into a yard for the first time, I look at the space very differently than some of my industry colleagues. I don’t design based on where the roses, or the hydrangeas, or the boxwoods will go. Instead, I start with creating useable space. I make decks, patios, seating areas work for homeowners. I love creating areas that are all about outdoor living and while plants are still part of the picture; I work to blend them with the outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, pergolas and patios so that the entire outdoor space reads as one cohesive area. That said, I am a gardener at heart. I have chickens, bees and a huge veggie patch. As we continue this journey together, I will switch hats between the landscaping and the gardening.

With all of the new studies and information about how the outdoors impact home value; landscaping has now joined kitchens and bathrooms at the top of the renovation list when it comes to making a return on investment. There will always be good and bad choices when it comes to home renovations. For 90 percent of Canadians, our homes are our largest assets. I want to help you enjoy your property and then make the most for it when it comes time to sell, because even if you are not selling today, tomorrow or in 15 years...who wants to sell their home for less money than it is actually worth?

As I travel back and forth across the country, I will bring you a close up of what others are doing in their own spaces and what the provincial trends are. (And yes, the grass does seem a little greener in Victoria)

As we get to know each other, you’re going to see that I have lots of opinions. I will try and blend the good with the bad and be as charming as possible with my tongue firmly in my cheek. I will also make sure that a keep healthy dose of common sense in all of my content. I want to make greener choices in my life and will help you do the same as we work towards making your outdoor space beautiful.

I am always open for your questions too. In fact, I will even include some of them in my upcoming posts. If you ever have an issue or need some help, you can always reach me through social media or feel free to call into my radio program on 800CJBQ on Saturdays at 12:30. I firmly believe that there are no bad questions. Odds are, if you are thinking it, so is someone else!