Category Archives: Patios

Custom fire place

Hire a Professional

You hear it all the time. If you are gong to hire someone for a project in your place of business or you home…hire someone who knows what they are doing. Think about it, if you received the news that you required surgery, would you hire someone who had not been to medical school? Probably not.

The perception of the landscape industry has always been an uphill battle. Consumers often don’t consider the importance of professional degrees and certifications as a necessity. I assure you, I have heard enough horror stories to know that hiring an individual or organization with the correct qualifications will save you money and peace of mind in the long run.

We get at least two phone calls a year inquiring if we can fix something that a consumer has already paid for. Perfectly good money wasted for all sorts of reasons…drainage issues were never considered. Water can be one of the most quickly damaging elements to your property. There is always the frustrated person complaining about a walkway or patio that after one winter are failing, most probably because the base layer was improperly considered and installed. Oh and that one year warranty they told you about…good luck getting them to return the call.

Maintenance is a huge issue. If pruning isn’t correctly done it can and mostly likely KILL your plants. When you invest in a new garden and don’t cultivate and weed properly, the weeds WILL win. And believe it or not, there is a correct and incorrect way to mow grass.

I could go on and on, however I won’t. What I will do is let this wonderfully created and produced video do the talking. ILT Vignocchi and Montale Gardens are proudly featured in a branding video for our industry. It shows my fellow contractor’s pride in what they do, a down right love for their crafts. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO. I know you will enjoy it.

Suburban Sanctuary NEW You tube video

On a sprawling 3 acres in Itasca, Illinois this property includes several relaxing vignettes, a putting green and tennis court.  Perfect for entertaining it also boasts a custom fireplace and spa.

Newly installed patio and seat wall in Glenview, IL

The hardsurface industry has made some gigantic strides in terms of creating concrete products that resemble more closely natural stone.  When these products first hit the market decades ago, they were long lasting, but still looked like concrete and had a hard time holding their color over a long period of time.  Eventually turning “concrete grey.”

Today products have evolved in both reliability, quality and aesthetics.  Since we view ourselves as very picky about such things we are thrilled to continue to introduce and install these products for our customers.

Below is a recent installation in Glenview, Illinois, that we are pleased to announce will be submitted for Unilock’s Awards of Excellence competition.

Furnishings and annual flowers by others

Furnishings and annual flowers by others

Unilock Double Border (color: Courtstone)

Unilock Double Border (color: Courtstone)

Unilock Rickcliff patio (color: mix of Dawn Mist & Pebble Taupe)

Unilock Rickcliff patio (color: mix of Dawn Mist & Pebble Taupe)

Patio Glenview Patio Glenview Patio Glenview Patio Glenview

Unilock Rivercrest Piers & Seat Walls (color: Coastal State)

Unilock Rivercrest Piers & Seat Walls (color: Coastal State)