The beauty of central New Jersey and its charming agricultural roots give towns in this area a beautiful streetscape of both historic and contemporary homes. The urban communities enjoy wonderful decks among the trees and swanky roof gardens atop townhouses and condominiums. But in New Brunswick and nearby Somerset, there's opportunities to expand traditional colonial homes on large lots into outdoor living landscapes that share the same vintage detailing and utilize New Jersey stone resources and native plants. These projects expand a 19th century building into a 21st century outdoor kitchen, swimming pool or an expansive covered outdoor dining area for the whole family or ambitious entertainers.

Rutgers University with its strong horticultural department is a fine resource for information on plants and landscaping in New Jersey. Rutgers Gardens on campus is a great place to see mature plants in the local climate to determine what you can expect from them in your own yard. Much research from Rutgers has solved many problems that afflict certain plants by breeding notably resistant varieties such as the Rutgers dogwoods which are replacements for the disease decimated Cornus florida.

The historic city of Trenton and the Delaware River flood plain offer beautiful residential neighborhoods with great old trees and broad lawns. If you live in these areas, expanding your landscaping to make it more than just beautiful to look at, create spaces designed to suit your family and lifestyle with all the latest amenities. A quality designer will tailor the budget and layout to your individual needs as well as a seamless transition from interior rooms to outdoor living spaces. Such indoor-outdoor modifications raise the overall value and usability of a home beyond the minimal backyard. With flood plain soils, the ability to install a sizable vegetable garden integral with the design brings fresh produce from ground to grill in minutes for the ultimate flavor experience.

Hunterdon County is so named because it has long been white tail deer country to the region's hunters who know how important it is to install a powerful grill into the patio design. Addition of smokers and pizza ovens also expand the options for cooking outdoors so Mom isn't stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is out by the pool or playing ball on the lawn.

Outdoor living caught on a long time ago out west but folks in the east are just beginning to see the benefits. A good local designer knows what problems you'll encounter and how to solve them. Screening in your dining areas against insects, providing a foot warming fire pit and installation of coolers and fans to move sluggish humid air make time outdoors far more pleasant. So while the kids are out there having fun, parents and adults will find an inviting environment sequestered behind homes all over town.