Formalism as a style in landscape design, as in many other creative endeavors, implies a focus on orderliness and high aesthetics, with a tailored look incorporating such features as symmetrical beds, hedges, parterres, fountains, statuary and dependencies. As a master landscape designer accustomed to working in a range of styles, Louis is a strong advocate for formalism, which he considers the best aesthetic and functional choice for many of his clients’ gardens

Decades of practical experience have demonstrated to Louis that a landscape design works best when it appears as an extension of the home’s architectural lines. Because straight lines and right angles characterize most of our homes, a landscape that mimics those lines and angles both extends the aesthetic of your home out into its gardens and complements it simultaneously.

You probably envision your property fulfilling a variety of outdoor functions. The most efficient way to enable this, according to Louis, is to divide the landscape into multiple "gardens," each with its own individual character and amenities. Creating myriad interior gardens actually has the effect of enlarging the look and feel of your property. This treatment allows for the inclusion of gardens in a variety of styles, including, of course, a formal one.

Nowadays, prevailing taste is moving toward a more tailored look—even ceremonious—in our gardens. A preference for defined lines and symmetrical balance, for the privacy afforded by hedges, and for attention-focusing features like sundials, pergolas, even statues, is flourishing, as we extend our aesthetic for home design out into our gardens. And in contrast to popular assumption, formalism can be a very low-maintenance style of landscape.

Today, property owners and designers reap the benefit of historical perspective as stylistic elements converge, interplay and complement one another. Louis, with his vast knowledge—both horticultural and historical—understands how to create a design that incorporates formal features and makes the most of your views, but still expresses your individuality and personal predilections. Renaissance Gardening creates meaningful designs for living—using both formal and natural concepts to fulfill your dream.