"Bonita & Estero Magazine’s" article on Gardenbleu & Ed Westwood
Changes in Scenery by Meredith J. Kinee In a bare-bones house turned office building, where the space feels raw yet boasts plenty of fluidity and movement, Edward Westwood of Gardenbleu Designs cultivates a conversation on change. “Gardening means managing the change,” he says. Gardenbleu Designs is Westwood’s Naples-based landscape architecture company, which began its journey long before its birth in 2005. Although Westwood and his company have just moved into their new space, the open arena mirrors Westwood’s refreshing understanding of simplicity and the beauty of our natural environment. Having studied in his field at West Virginia University, Westwood has “managed the change” on soils located in spots ranging from Chicago to Naples, with plenty of land in between. Whether he’s creating a pool space for a home that looks like it came directly from a French château or conjuring up a client’s most magnificent garden fantasy, he emphasizes the fact that he is working with nature. Gardens are always changing, and it’s Gardenbleu’s mission to make clients spaces both fabulous and functional. “Although it can be done, it is often difficult to make the space look good from day one,” says Westwood. “Growing into it is what brings the change, the surprise, and the beauty.” Westwood’s philosophies on art and nature help shape his landscapes. “Science and art is what we do,” he says. Using his skills in horticulture and design, Westwood transforms properties by either adding to them or, surprisingly, taking away from them. When working on a project, Westwood humbly states that many elements take precedence over his master skill set, and that the number-one player in setting a beautifully landscaped stage is the client. “They know a lot too,” he says. “They know what will be functional to their lifestyle, what will fit with their budget, and how much they want to put into maintenance. In the end, the client just wants to live their life, so we plan for what makes sense to them and for them.” Westwood and his team understand that the reasons behind a desire to enhance or change a space are just as important as the scenery that comes forward. “Gardens function as many things—a place of enjoyment, a frame to a building, a view to gaze upon,” says Westwood. “Or, a garden can simply be just a garden.” Figuring out what role the garden or any landscape design will play in the client’s life can only be understood through the conversations between the client and Westwood’s team. And landscape design isn’t just about the outdoors. From glass walls to pocket doors, Westwood considers all design elements that could transform a home. “Is it a space to relax in?” asks Westwood. “Or a space to look at?" The cohesion between the indoors and the outdoors is what turns a house into a sanctuary. Whether or not a homeowner entertains, a beautifully lit garden may be the only backdrop needed for a special occasion or for a relaxing night in. “A garden should be just as beautiful at night as it is during the day,” says Westwood. To achieve that, the placement of lighting is key. “It’s less about lighting and more about highlighting,” he says. Of course, it cannot be forgotten that without the essential elements of nature, the designing of the landscape would not be possible. “Good designers and good architects work with what’s already known,” says Westwood. “Don’t ignore your givens.” Paying attention to the elements provided, from sunlight to cement, makes the finished project that much more of a success. Westwood’s thoughtful process means no detail is overlooked. When planting anything, he’s always mindful of the structures around it, when the sun will shine on it and when it will sit in the shadows, how much rain will accumulate around it, and what type of irrigation system needs to be installed in order for the landscape to thrive. Westwood describes how the Japanese may spend years sleeping on a site to become more attuned to, and make their work more cohesive with, the earth's energy. “Not one pebble gets laid without being thought about,” he says. While Westwood won’t be camping out in clients’ backyards anytime soon, he will spend plenty of time thinking about even the tiniest blades of grass. And his reflective and inspiring philosophies rooted in art and science help clients create their own little corners of the world—corners that are beautifully landscaped, of course. For more information about Gardenbleu Designs, call 239-430-9995 or visit Gardenbleu.com. A recent transplant from New York with Degrees in English and education, Meredith J. Kinee is a freelance writer and editor currently based in Fort Myers
News Articles
· August 15, 2011 ""Bonita & Estero Magazine’s" article on Gardenbleu & Ed Westwood "
· July 11, 2011 "You Tube Link!"
· December 14, 2010 "Gardenbleu Landscape Architecture Hires Sabrina McCabe"
· December 14, 2010 "Gardenbleu Landscape Architecture Hires Aaron Denton"
· March 05, 2010 "Beware of White Fly Damage to Ficus Hedges"
· February 28, 2010 "Ed Westwood Says Expense of Staging Homes for Sale is Worth It"
· January 19, 2010 "GardenBleu Hires New Designer"
