We are planning to landscaping the existing house as well as the new one, and I am torn between East or West garden structures. You see, they are both beautiful! On the left, look at the calm, serene gate which leads into a Japanese garden in Portland, Oregon. Just look at the gate alone, you can immediately sense calmness and expecting a Zen garden revealing itself behind that gate. From the outset, the gate sets the tone, the color, the feeling for the whole garden. It has the power to shred your worries behind upon entering. A simple structure, but packed with vast healing power to ease soul.
Not to be outdone, Western garden structure is also very impressive. Here is a classic pergola, covered with white canvas and furnished with comfortable sofa, how could any one resist? The East has curved roof, the West has shaped lintel. The East gives you serenity, the West provides comfort.
The comparison does not end there, the outdoor structures compete head to head on each category. They fight over the pathway, the entrance, and even the seating area. The gazebo quarrels with the tea house, the pond versus water fountain ... on and on they fight without backing out. If you can find a Western garden structure, you able to find a matching one with the Eastern theme.
So as you can see, what am I to do? Have my backyard with Eastern or Western theme? Gazebo or tea house? Full of Bamboo or Rose?
Or
