Design concepts and principles transcend specific disciplines, so in that regards you are perfectly correct - the same considerations could/should be applied when designing a building, an interior space or an exterior space. And I don't think it has much to do with 'decorating' per se, although a great many do seem to confuse decoration with design. Depending on the homeowner/gardener and their requirements, a collection of outdoor 'rooms' may be exactly what is ordered. And if that is the case, these are treated in much the same way as an indoor space would be addressed - there is a 'floor' (the ground plain), 'walls' (taller screening plants, fences, structures, etc.) and even a 'roof' or ceiling (an overhead structure, tree canopy or just the open sky). The rooms should have a purpose or function. Often architectural elements are included, whether they be built structures or a bold, architectural type of plant. Focal points are considered and included. And they are colored, furnished and 'decorated' just as an interior space would be. And as in an interior space, means of access and egress/ingress and connectivity need to be considered as well. When you come down to it, except with regards to some of the materials, there's not that much difference between the two at all :-)

I have two BRAND NEW issues of these magazines Fine Gardening #100: backyard retreat, desiginging autumn gardens, ferns, grasses. Garden Design Dec. 2004: easy orchids, texas garden, grasses Am interested in trading for earlier issues of Fine Gardening (pre-2002). These magazines are for trade, they are not for sale or for postage. Thank-you, girlgroupgirl

I could have sworn I posted this yesterday but see no sign of it....so trying again. IME, no extension service provides referrals to independent business owners (contractors/designers). That is not what they were intended to do nor the type of service they provide. Colorado may well be different but I see no indication on their website that this is a type of service they provide. Check with a better retail nursery/garden center or your local chapter of the APLD.

Do you want a real Japanese garden or just one with a Japanese/Asian inspired theme to it? If the latter, you can Google Japanese garden design principles or design elements to get a sense of what will increase the Asian flavor. Japanese gardens have 4 primary elements: rocks, water, ornaments and plants. They also make careful use of symbolism and the borrowed landscape. You also want asymmetry but with balance and a sense of enclosure. Open spaces are just as important as planted spaces. And always use natural materials. There is lots of information online to help you with this as I doubt many professionals skilled in Japanese garden designers are readily available in Kentucky :-) Wouldn't hurt to take a road trip to any public or botanical gardens nearby that include a Japanese garden as part of their display Doug, using the discussion forums here for self or business promotion is not allowed. That is the entire point of the "pro" designation and one of the rules you agree to when joining this site. Any of the experienced, practicing professional designers that post here can do the same thing you offer however they all follow the rules about not flogging their services outside of their Pro profile page. Those that do not usually get their posts deleted and sometimes their membership cancelled if flagrant enough.