From Dreams to Reality: Navid Derakhshan Outdoor Makeover Journey

At Outdoor Makeover and Living Spaces, we firmly believe that the transformation of outdoor spaces is a true masterpiece. Our journey to craft these outdoor wonders is nothing short of inspiring. We're excited to share that our CEO, Navid Derakhshan, recently had the honor of being featured on the prestigious Good Neighbor Podcast. In this exclusive conversation, Navid shared the incredible story behind Outdoor Makeover, the passions that drive our mission, and how we turn your outdoor dreams into stunning realities.

Early Passion:

Navid's love for the outdoors and construction began at a young age when he worked with his builder-developer father during summers. These moments ignited a deep love for construction and the boundless potential of outdoor spaces.

Building Recognition:

Navid and his brother moved to Georgia, and through hard work and a unique marketing strategy, they gained recognition in their community. Their relentless pursuit of excellence set the foundation for something truly extraordinary.

A Change of Course:

Navid initially pursued medicine but realized his true happiness lay in outdoor spaces. He made a life-changing decision to focus on Outdoor Makeover and Living Spaces.

Two Decades of Dedication:

Over 22 years, Navid's dedication and passion have transformed his business into a thriving enterprise with numerous completed projects.

Ready for some inspiration? Navid's full podcast episode is packed with the secrets to making your outdoor dreams a reality. Grab your headphones, hit play, and get ready for a journey that could change the way you see your outdoor space. The full podcast's got the scoop – why wait? Listen in now and start bringing your outdoor dreams to life!

Also Read: Outdoor Makeover – The Consumer Choice Award Winner

The post Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces With Navid Derakhshan Featured In Good Neighbour Podcast appeared first on Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces.

With a record number of hurricanes producing wet weather across metro Atlanta, it is crucial to understand the importance of landscape drainage. Many homeowners are confident in their landscape drainage system until it proves otherwise. Landscape drainage problems can result in damage costing thousands of dollars. Even worse, landscape flooding can cause damage to your home. This can create a massive headache for homeowners. If you have neglected or have an outdated yard drainage system, it may be time to look for Effective Ways to minimize erosion and drainage. Here are some of the many reasons you should ensure your outdoor drainage system can handle any amount of rainy weather.

The Importance of Landscape Drainage

Protect Your Home's Foundation.

If water does not have a proper place to go, it will often run to the lowest point of the yard. Oftentimes, this is the foundation of your home. By not properly draining water that collects outdoors, your home is likely to experience water damage. Water damage can be among the most extensive and expensive types of damage to your home. Installing landscape drainage is one of the best ways to protect your home.

Stop Mold and Mildew.

Nothing ruins a party like mold and mildew buildup. Mold can cause problems in your home's foundation and internal structure. It can even cause health problems for you and your family. Mold requires moisture to grow and it spreads quickly. Proper drainage solutions allow areas to completely dry out. This prevents mold and mildew from growing and taking over your home.

Prevent Bugs and Termite Damage.

Many homeowners don’t realize that the reason they have bugs around their house is due to moisture. Many bugs, such as mosquitoes, live and breed in standing water. Termites are also attracted to moisture and can cause extensive damage to a home. Through proper yard drainage and pest control, you can save a lot of money and create a more comfortable outdoor living space.

Minimize Erosion.

Erosion is caused by water moving the materials in the ground. Heavy rain can cause a significant amount of water to flow through your yard. As this happens, soil and other materials are washed away. This can cause damage to your lawn, plants, and even cause water to flow into your home. Proper landscape drainage will prevent erosion by directing water through designated channels.

Prevent Stagnant Water.

Whereas water will flow to the lowest natural spot, it is not rare for the collected moisture to remain stagnant in one specific area. If water remains stagnant and does not drain or dry, this can cause flooding the next time it rains. Even mild flooding can cause severe damage to your outdoor landscape and home.

Whether you are preventing these problems or already facing them, the first step is to ensure a stable drainage system. The importance of landscape drainage cannot be understated. By installing a professional drainage system, you can rest easy knowing your yard is protected from even the heaviest rainstorms. If you are ready for a custom-built landscape drainage system, contact our yard drainage experts today. Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces understands the importance of keeping your home safe from flooding. Our experts will evaluate all potential flooding hazards and will design a custom drainage solution for your home. We have been protecting homeowners from flooding since 2001.

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Building fires is one of mankind's oldest habits and traditions. In recent years, fire pits have become especially popular for homeowners looking for a way to make their outdoor area more useful. They offer not only a gathering place for entertaining, but also a bit of heat as the night cools off.

If you are looking to add a fire pit to your landscape design, then there are a few things to consider. Before you install a fire pit, be mindful of three things: location, size, and type.

In the Know about Fire Pits

Before searching for the perfect fire pit, take a few minutes to get the following information:

Are there any local restrictions or requirements on outdoor fire features?

Depending on your neighborhood or HOA, there could be some specifications about the types of fire pits that are acceptable. Other restrictions may relate to the size or permanency of the fire pit. Here are a few other potential regulations to keep in mind:

• Where the fire pit is placed due to the environment. Some neighborhoods and HOA's may not allow fire pits near wooded areas due to potential fire hazards.
• If you must use smoke-fire pits. There may be regulations on where you can have a fire that produces smoke due to potential hazards or disruptions to neighbors.
• Is there a set number of feet from fencing or buildings? Many associations may require a certain distance from buildings or other flammable structures.

What’s your style?

Fire pits can be small or large, and virtually any shape. Ideally, you want a design that compliments your existing landscape and has features that work for your specific needs. Something to consider if you want a more majestic fire element is to have an outdoor fireplace built.

If you are looking for a higher-end, majestic fire element, consider building an outdoor fireplace.

Do you want seating around the fire pit?

Because fire pits are typically a gathering place, most homeowners want some type of seating space. Your seating areas should be far enough away from the pit to safely walk around it. For built-in seating, you should work with a professional construction team. The advantage of built-in seating is that there are fewer hazards, such as chairs tipping over.

What is the difference between wood-fired pits and gas fire pits?

While both will produce heat, wood-burning pits offer the traditional sounds of fire crackling and need you to keep firewood or kindling on hand. Wood-burning fires also produce a good amount of smoke, something to be mindful of. With gas fire pits, you get the benefits of warmth but without the smoke of a traditional fire. Gas fire pits do not provide the crackling and natural ambiance that wood fires offer.

In regard to gas fire pits, you will need to choose between propane or natural gas. Natural gas fire pits require installing gas lines. While propane saves on the cost of having to have a gas line installed, you also have to figure where to hide the propane tank. It can be challenging to balance easy access while keeping the tank hidden.

Portable or permanent?

A permanent fire pit is a great way to simplify a party set up. You just need to be sure it coordinates with the color, style, shape, and the materials you already have in your yard.

If you think that you will want to transport your fire pit to different locations, then you may want to opt for a fire bowl. Portable fire pit bowls are made of copper, steel, or cast iron and can be used with wood, propane, or natural gas.

When it comes to entertaining, outdoor fires are a great way to improve any outdoor living space. They offer a warm and inviting spot to relax year-round. For the best fire pits in Buckhead area, contact Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces. We will work with you to create a custom fire feature solution in your landscape.

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More than ever before, homeowners are doing DIY landscaping projects. With the help of Pinterest, YouTube videos, or home and garden television channels, homeowners think they can easily tackle these projects. However, that doesn’t mean everyone suddenly knows what it takes to create a landscaped yard that boosts curb appeal.

Avoiding DIY Landscaping Mistakes

If you are eager to change the look of your landscape design, there are many routes you may choose to take. By keeping these tips in mind, you can prevent your yard from ending up in the Pinterest landscaping fails hall-of-shame.

Failing to Plan

If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. When designing a landscape, it is vital that you have a plan for what you want the end result to be. Use some graphing paper and draw a basic outline of what you envision. Then, stick with that design plan as much as possible.

Pruning and Hedging

Shrubs need to be pruned periodically. If not, they can be an eyesore, and can even make your home more attractive to thieves. Be sure to keep hedges trimmed and neat. If you are not sure when to prune shrubbery, talk to one of our Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces specialists.

Excessive Ornamentation

Yard statuary can be a beautiful way to add depth and interest to a part of your yard. However, when looking at a landscape design with a large collection of decorations, it can actually look worse than having nothing at all. When you implement lawn art, be sure it showcases your landscape and doesn’t look cheap or cluttered. The last thing you want from your yard is a reputation for being tacky!

Scalping the Grass

Sure, a neatly mowed yard looks great, but be sure that you are not cutting the grass too short. Each variety of grass is different and requires specific lawn maintenance. In most cases, keeping the grass around 2 inches tall is a good height. Cutting your grass shorter than 2 inches means you need to cut it more often and it can be unhealthy for the grass.

Eyesores

Septic tanks, utility boxes, trash cans, and other items in the landscape can be eyesores. Don’t ignore them hope others will too! Consider adding in a hedge, fence, or other decorative elements. This will hide these eyesores while still keeping them accessible.

Using the Wrong Plants

Do your homework and only add plants that will succeed in your yard. Not every plant is going to work with your soil conditions. Also, consider the amount of sunlight your yard gets or the space where you wish to plant it. Selecting plants that work for your lawn will help it look better and have greater curb appeal. In addition, when buying plants, never buy single plants. Consider buying several that you can group together. Additionally, you will want to space them throughout your landscape, creating appealing patterns.

Make your landscape design the talk of the neighborhood – because it’s gorgeous, not garish! Avoiding common DIY mistakes and oversights can save you time and money. Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces will help you create a beautiful landscape while boosting the curb appeal of your home. Contact us today!

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Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces is committed to keeping our customers and their families safe, as well as supporting our local community in “flattening the curve”. Through this difficult time, we know there is uncertainty around the situation we face. Our landscape design team is committed to providing our essential business services while keeping you safe.

While we are still providing all of our landscaping design services, we are ensuring that we do so in a safe and responsible manner.

How We Will Continue to Serve Our Customers:

• We are adhering to all protocols set forth by state, federal, and CDC officials.
• Practicing all “social distancing” measures with contact-free consultations to prevent any possible contact or spread. This includes video conferencing, tele-consultations and no shaking of hands.
• Implementing no contact payment methods.
• Employees will wear gloves during all business operations.
• Educating our team on all CDC safety procedures.
• Encouraging all employees to contact their health providers and self-quarantine if they suspect exposure or symptoms.
• Taking care to clean and disinfect any equipment.
• Educating employees on the importance of proper handwashing techniques.
• Closely monitoring any updates regarding the situation.

While we are all social distancing, now is the perfect time to make your outdoor living space as enjoyable as possible. During this time, we are offering the following specials:

• 12-month 0% financing.
• Reduced project minimums.
• Offering “Mini-Makeovers” for your outdoor landscape.

Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces is committed to providing excellent landscaping services, but our number one priority is the safety of our community. We encourage everyone to follow CDC protocols and practice social distancing measures to flatten the curve.

If you have any questions about our response, please call us. We are happy to provide more information and answer any questions about the situation. We understand this is a difficult time, but we are all in this together.

Navid Derakhshan
CEO, Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces

The post Our COVID-19 Response Plan – A Message from Our CEO appeared first on Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces.

Atlanta, GA Release:  February 4, 2020

Outdoor Makeover & Construction has recently shifted their focus to a more holistic approach to re-envisioning outdoor living in the metro-Atlanta area. The vision and excitement are derived from the direction of the co-founder and now CEO Navid Derakhshan. “We continue to see the request for more all-inclusive outdoor living spaces, and we understand the value we bring our clients is to serve on a higher level than just landscape and construction services,” states Navid. With this vision, plans of a redirection has affected the entire company to provide an overall better and all-inclusive service to our clients. As of February 4, 2020, Outdoor Makeover & Construction will now be Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces.

Along with this new name and new, modern logo, a beautifully designed new website was created with our clients in mind. The easy navigation, communication, and quick access to the services offered allows clients to rapidly access the information they are seeking. The new site provides a wealth of value to our clients and includes features like:

• Improved design to easily navigate the site
• A Client Portal that allows us to extend specialized customer support to our clients
• New clients can easily fill out our Contact Form to get a new project started faster
• An all-new and modern Gallery! Filter by Featured Projects, Modern, Mini-Makeovers, and service type for more ideas for your next outdoor makeover project
• A blog that is updated frequently to give you great ideas on how to make your yard a true extension of your home
• Accessing testimonials is easy on the new website, so you can see what other Atlanta homeowners have to say about their outdoor makeover experience.

At Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces, we are committed to providing the utmost quality work accompanied by superior customer service. Our company foundation is built on our reputation of hard work and dedication to our clients in every way. Check out our new site and let us know when you are ready to get started on your outdoor makeover project!

Contact info:
Name: Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces 
Address: 2852 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, United States

Phone: 404-587-5656

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Right now, the weather is cool. But any Georgian knows that when the temperatures change bringing spring, and then summer arrives, the warm (read, “hot!”) season can be difficult. And, in the metro-Atlanta region, the humidity plus heat can make living life outside unpleasant. But, there are ways you can be outside and beat the heat. Enter the pergola or gazebos.

While there are many ways you can make your landscape more inviting, favorites for many Georgia families are the addition of a pergola or a gazebo. After all, they, don’t just provide shade but offer a delightful place to entertain guests or merely sit back with a tall glass of something cool to sip.

Benefits of a Gazebo

This free-standing structure can be of any size, shape and nearly any location. Better yet, you can opt for a fully covered gazebo or partially roofed, no walls or simply low walls thus offering you whatever level of privacy you may want. Other benefits include:

• A gazebo offers a quiet space for conversation or just chilling out.
• It can be used to host a long list of activities.
• May be designed as a kitchen area or a covered space for a hot tub.
• Adds value to your home.
• Can be used year-round.
• Makes a great focal point for your garden(s) or landscape design.

Benefits of a Pergola

A pergola differs from a gazebo in that it has a more open roof- typically created by a framework of beams -and are often attached to a home or other structure. They might also have pillars or latticework making them perfect for climbing plants. Flooring for a pergola can be brick, concrete pavers, or decking, depending on your style. Reasons for having a pergola built include:

• They can be built to match your architectural style and preference.
• A pergola provides a defined space for outdoor activities.
•  They are affordable but have a big impact on your landscape’s aesthetics.
•  You can extend your gardening area by hanging flower pots to the beams.
• You can dress them up easily by weaving cloth through the beams to create a specific atmosphere.
• They are low maintenance and durable.
• Although they do not have a solid roof, a pergola still provides a significant amount of shade.
• Adds as much as 20% to your home’s resale value.

So, have you looked around your landscape and found it lacking in entertainment areas? Maybe, you need a place to get out of the heat while still enjoying nature? If so, then a pergola or gazebo is a great place to start. They can be built according to the space available, and customized to suit your needs and style. More so, pergolas and gazebos are a practical use of space, while still leaving you plenty of lawn for games, gardening or just grilling out with friends and family.

If you think that a pergola or gazebo is the perfect addition to your landscape, then don’t wait until the summer weather arrives. Contact the Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces team today. We can assess your landscape and determine what will best work for your space.

The post Pergola or Gazebo – Which One is Better? appeared first on Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces.

Everyone knows that the holidays can be a stressful time for people. Travel, visits with relatives or having company in our home brings an increased demand on our time and our resources. With all of the expectations comes an increase in our stress and anxiety levels as well.  So what is the solution?   Psychologists in the new field of ecotherapy believe that spending time outdoors is important for our health. Spending time in a beautiful outdoor living space helps improve depression, lower blood pressure, improve self-esteem, helps with impulse control, decreases postoperative recovery time, and encourages new social behaviors in patients with dementia, according to book

Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind. Research has found that there is a connection between spending time in green space and well-being. Spending time outdoors can be especially beneficial for those with depression, anxiety, stress or other mental illnesses. Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder, and the incidence of depression has increased every year during the past century. Currently, one in six people will experience a depressive episode in their lifetime. Now, more than ever before, it is becoming evident that spending time in a beautiful outdoor living space is important to our mental health!

Looking at trees might even have a tangible health benefit—patients who viewed trees outside the window recovered more quickly from hospital stays (Ulrich, 1984). Research looking at over 900,000 data points found that children who grew up with the lowest levels of green space had up to 55% higher risk of developing a psychiatric disorder (Engemann, et al., 2019). That urge that you have for that gorgeous backyard may actually be the key to your family’s mental well-being.

Do not underestimate the value of a beautiful outdoor living space! Regardless of age or culture, humans find nature restorative. In one study, researchers found that more than two-thirds of people choose a natural setting to retreat to when stressed. In another study, 95% of those interviewed said their mood improved after spending time outside, changing from depressed, stressed, and anxious to more calm and balanced. In a world where technology and progress fills each and every day, something within us longs for the restorative soothing feeling that can only be found in the simplicity of living green spaces.

Creating that backyard paradise getaway may be more important than you think!  As human beings, we are hardwired to feel an attraction towards thriving plant life and the sound of water. This is not just for aesthetics, but at our core, this is instinctually a survival instinct. Our ancestors settled in fertile green areas and close to water sources in order to ensure survival. Regardless of how urban our homes are, there is something to be said for our ancestral urge to create a green space that provides that restorative reprieve that replenishes us.  Instinctually, we know that we need this for our well-being.

Research has shown that barefoot contact with the earth can produce nearly instant changes in a variety of physiological measures, helping improve sleep, reduce pain, decrease muscle tension and lower stress. The more we learn about our body’s responses to green space, the more reasons we find to spend time outdoors. Taking a walk on your grass could change not only your mental state of mind, but your health as well! Feeling a little down after the holiday? Go outside and get yourself some ecotherapy!

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Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces has been selected for the 2019 Best of Marietta Award in the Landscaping category by the Marietta Award Program.

Each year, the Marietta Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Marietta area a great place to live, work and play. 

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While it may only be the beginning of the year if one of your 2020 resolutions is to take your current landscape design (or perhaps the lack thereof) to the next level, then now is the time to begin. No, you might not be ready to go to the nursery and purchase the plants and shrubbery, but there are several activities you can take in preparing your landscape for spring. Better yet, contact a consultant from Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces. We can assess your current landscape and craft a design that suits your needs, wants and utilizes your space to its full potential.

However, if you are wanting to do some preliminary work and get some ideas of what you think might be great improvements to your yard, then there are actions you can take. Let’s get started.

Preparing Your Landscape for Spring

Taking time for preparing your landscape for spring is what separates the average landscape from the exceptional ones. And, of course, you want yours to be exceptional. Here's how.

Begin with Cleanup

Fall and winter weather can cause branches to fall, debris to accumulate, and an assortment of items to be deposited in your yard. Grab a pair of thick gloves and remove any of these elements.

Find the Edges

For that perfectly manicured spring landscape, edging is a must! Use an edger to delineate where your grass begins and the gardens and natural areas begin. Edging also keeps grass from taking over your flowerbeds and non-paved walkways and gives your landscape a manicured appearance.

Raking- Not Just for Fall!

It’s probable that you missed some leaves at your last fall raking job, and even more likely that leaves blew into your yard during winter. Grab a rake and get rid of those dead leaves, as well as any pinecones, acorns, twigs, etc. that have accumulated – especially in those areas of your yard where things pile up!

Pruning

When preparing your landscape for spring, don't overlook the importance of pruning! While you don’t need to do this as early as January, sometime in late February take an afternoon to check out the shrubbery and trees. Look for excessively long branches or shoots and trim them back. The pruning will help them be healthier when spring officially arrives.

Mulching

To give your soil an extra boost of nutrients after the cold months, apply mulch. However, be sure to remove the old mulch- another reason to rake! Then add new mulch at the base of shrubbery. It is recommended that you wait to see where flowers begin to peek through so that you don’t cover them in mulch and inhibit their growth.

Add Fertilizer

For a healthy verdant lawn, fertilizer is a must. Ideally, you should apply fertilizer either before or after a light rain. This will help allow the nutrients to better seep into your lawn. For prime results, choose a fertilizer that says 20-5-10, standing for 20% nitrogen, 5% phosphate and 10% potassium. To minimize how often you need to apply fertilizer, choose a slow-release one.

Once these activities have been done, you are ready to begin planting your assorted gardens, trees, and shrubbery.

Of course, if you feel your yard is already for the next level of landscaping and want to do more with your landscape, give the Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces team a call. We understand what it is involved in crafting a beautiful Georgia landscape and help you take your yard from basic to beautiful. Contact us today.

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