Seven Secrets to Design Your Soul Space
By Laura Lynne

Even an amateur can become a landscape designer with a little help from an expert. 
See what happens when you follow the Seven Secrets to design your magical space.

   1.  DREAM BIG

1. 1. a.  Give yourself at least 15 - 30 minutes to really let go.  Be sure you are in a quiet space free of distractions so your body can relax and absorb the messages.Think back on visits to gardens and grounds around the country or the world, or even in a magazine that made your eyes close, your body naturally sigh, and your face smile.  When was the last time you relaxed in an outdoor environment, remember what was there.
   2. b.  As you enter this dream garden, go on a meditative journey through all five senses to observe what you see, feel, smell, hear and can touch in this quiet time. Allow yourself to tune into a special sense above and beyond the five senses that takes you to bliss.
   3. c.  Think of everything you absolutely love and what you would want to include in your Soul Space.

   2.  PEN THE JOURNEY

1. 1. a.  Make a list of what you really want to include in your magical yard design.  Write down everything you saw in your journey. Stay open during this process and just let yourself write it all down even if you are unable to see how to manifest it right now.
   1. b.  Put a star by any of the projects that you feel you and your friends or family may tackle.
   2. c.  Put a check mark by the ones that will require a contractor or a specialized skill and equipment like a pool or hot tub.
   3. d.  Continue to add to the list and keep it on the refrigerator so it will remind you of your vision and dream.
   4. If you have images from a magazine place them in your Design File or add them to the fridge to reinforce your dreams or show it to your design team.
   5. e.  Make a list of all the elements you wish to include in your Soul Space in any order.  This about qualities that are important to you - these are intangible such as:  Community, joy, freedom, beauty.  They may sound nebulous but they can be created in a design.

   3.  360 DEGREES 

1. 1. a.  Remove your shoes and walk into the center of the space you want to design.  When your feet touch the grass you begin to tune into the space with extra care and an innate skill that will surprise you.
   2. Observe everything around you with all five senses.  Be observant of tiny things you may have never seen before in your yard like where the grass begins and ends, where there are thick areas of greenery or spare spaces that need love.
   3. Be sure to turn around 360 degrees slowly to see the needs that are calling to you.  Look at the neighbor's house or things you want to screen.  See where the sun lands in the yard or where there is a hillside for a stream, or a shady area for a nice bench or hammock.  Is there a place for a tire swing for the children?
   4. b.  Mentally remove everything in your current view - all of it and see what you want to include back into the design. Be willing to get daring and make drastic changes, see what you will not compromise like an old oak tree.  Your grill and gas line can be moved so stay completely open while you just observe the space.
   5. c. Include in your vision any areas that need attention like drainage issues or bare spots in the yard.  I landscaped a front yard where we traced a line where the grass did not grow and that was our bed outline for the new plantings, it looked gorgeous because we worked with what the area was telling us.
   6. Place your body in front of the main view(s) from inside the house to see your million dollar angle.  It could be a door or window out the kitchen. People forget that 93.7% of the time you will see your space from INSIDE.  Invest in your outdoor room addition because even if your body is not IN the space it gives an expanse to your home and visual pleasure. My office is in the front of my house so I created my Soul Space out front with a patio, water garden and landscaping.  The neighbors thoroughly enjoy the gift and so do the children & stray mallards.
   7. d.  Ask some key questions: Would a wall be necessary to increase the size of the yard or to level and area that has been an eye sore?

    4.  PAPER THE PLAN OF PURPOSE

1. 1. a.  Write down the things that you observed on your 360 excursion into the yard.  Include things that need to be accomplished.  Often it is a simple thing like removing a dead bush that has been poking you each time you mow.  Maybe you see the need to plant or screen the neighbor's patio or play set from your Soul Space.  It might be time to call a friend who needs your old swing set.
   2. b.  Sketch at least 10 different options for what could go where.  Do it with pencil and a legal pad, don't worry about making anything to scale at this point, just play with your design and watch what happens.
   3. Double check your dream list to be certain you have included everything you will want.
   4. c.  Be sure to add a walkway 360 degrees around your house if possible.  To be able to walk all the way around your house makes your real estate feel more expansive and expensive, it becomes and estate.  Decide the main pathway and make sure that is at least 4' wide, if it is a heavily used space make it 6' wide or if your friends will be carrying their children and rafts with coolers and toys think big. A path that is too narrow shuts down your bodily energy and makes you feel small.  It is also an amateur announcement (it tells others you did it yourself) which may not be a blessing if the space feels smaller than necessary.  We look for expansion and bounty which are all possible even in a small space.

     5.  ROPES & STAKES

1. 1. a.  Collect your garden hose, ropes, string or small wooden stakes and layout some of your options from your earlier drawing to see where they might lay.  I don't recommend orange paint yet, because you are feeling it and will change it a few times before you make a big decision to spray the layout. Move them around, remember the concrete truck is not waiting out front so allow yourself to relax and enjoy this process
   2. b.  Move the furniture into or onto your fake patio.  Can you pull out the chairs without falling off the edge?  Will you be able to walk around it to get to the grill?  Where will the fire pit be located?
   3. Layout everything that will be on and around the patio and you will be amazed that you may need to enlarge your space a little.  Forget the need to make the patio a specific size like 10 x 20, lay it out and feel it first.  Let your body "Feel" the space and have that be the dictator of your Soul Space design.
   4. c.  Sit with this for several days and walk it.  Ask your children or friends to come out and enjoy your soon to be beautiful space.  Listen to what they feel and see. Move the design around freely to see what feels right to you.
   5. d.  Look at it from inside - can you see the waterfall, the colorful backdrop, the new beautiful patio and cozy fire?

     6.  PHASES & FINANCES

1. 1. a.  We all have a budget in mind for our dream backyard and if we begin with the budget we would not dream, that is why we start with the dream.  Some how it works out that if we know what we want the Universe is willing to deliver it much faster than we ever thought possible.
   2. b.  After you have laid out your space and included everything, look at what must be done first.  If you are putting in a fence and know you will later want a pool or water garden then be sure to add an 8' fence or 2, 4-5' wide gates so that you can open them to get a bobcat in.
   3. c.  What is your priority -  usually the hardscape or the patio area is number one because that sets the tone for everything else in the yard around it.  The water garden, hot tub, decking, walkways are usually added around the patio.
   4. d.  Get some bids or do research on pricing for the spaces that you need assistance.  Look at a multitude of materials and ask your friends what they have enjoyed in their backyard.  Is concrete for you or a paver patio?  Concrete has many options now and depending on your climate can be one of the least expensive options.
   5. e.  Chances are you will have a great idea what you want and where you want to place it in your yard.  If you still feel stuck, call a designer to come and help confirm your ideas or expand areas with solutions that are new to the market or your area.
   6. f.  Layout your budget once you have real numbers on what the project will run and allow the Universe to "show up" with what you need.

    7.  TAKE ACTION

1. 1. a.  Once you have the idea, the plan, the layout the budget then it's time to reap the rewards.  Begin by asking your friends who they trust.  Jump in and call some contractors.  It's a great idea to get three bids on the job, you will likely see a disparity in the numbers and there may be a really good reason why.  Just because someone is cheapest may not be the reason to hire them.  Be wise and know the numbers. If you have a contractor that you really like, but they are a little high - ask them if they can work with you on the bid. Be bold, this is your dream design.
   2. b.  Trust your gut.  It is never too late to trust the connection your have with your contractor.  Do call their references and ask to see lots of pictures of their jobs and go visit some too if you wish to find out about their clients.  Do they do what they say they will?
   3. C.  Pause at any point that the project feels like it is moving in a direction that does not work for you.  Be sure to speak up with all those involved in the project so that your vision gets carried out.  Anything that is out of alignment will continue to bother you over time.  Make it right the first time. If you want to make changes do so BEFORE the concrete truck arrives.

 Most of all enjoy the process.  This is a very exciting adventure you are embarking upon and it's good to take your time and be sure you are walking the right path.  You will be amazed at your abilities and so happy that  you took the valuable time to learn what was important to you and your family.  Have fun and enjoy the process!