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Happenings Magazine, April 2003 edition

Written by Nicole V. Langan

A peaceful fish pond. A trickling stream. A rushing baby Niagara. Whatever your heart desires, Carrie Martini and her landscaping crew at Yard Art deliver. Yard Art designs landscapes to fit the personal tast of the client by creatively customizing every project.

"From a manicures look to more of a country, rustic feel with the garden blending into nature, we are 100 percent custom based," remarks Carrie Martini owner. "If the client has no time to devote to a garden, we'll design it to be low maintenance. If they're community oriented, we'll design a fabulous looking front yard. If they're seeking a garden to entertain guests, we'll design something along the back patio with an accompanying waterfall."

A water garden provides a refuge from reality while increasing the property value of the home. However, it takes a substantial investment. Price ranges from $10,000 - $25,000. "Price depends on the magnitude of landscaping needed, the length of the stream and plant choices," explains Carrie.

Yard Art installs water gardens to conform to the shape of the land, making every design a unique venture. Water gardens can be installed within one to two weeks depending on size. "We dig everything by hand in order to minimally damage the surroundings," relates Carrie. "We don't come in with big machinery and destroy your existing property."

Water gardens may range in size from 6 X 10 feet to lake size, however the average creation measures 12 X 6 feet. At its deepest point, most water gardens reach only 2 1/2 feet. Each design comes equipped with a custom pond kit including a timer, underwater lights, heater and automatic filler. The system is durable enough to operate 365 days a year.

As a fine art major at Kutztown University, Carrie realized she had an innate knack for three-dimensional work. Growing up in Hamlin, PA, she got her feet wet helping in her mother's garden and doing landscaping jobs during the summer. After some prompting by her sister, Diane, she decided to operate her own business. Her first job entailed work for The Sterling Inn and The French Manor in South Sterling, PA.

Carrie takes one job at a time and is always on site to supervise every project. "I always stick to my schedule within a one week time frame," says Carrie. We come when we say we're going to come." The "we" refers to Carrie and her small crew made up of mostly women. "Women have a different way of looking at things than men," relates Carrie. "We tend to be more detail and quality oriented."

Yard Art's services include one-of-a-kind landscape design and installation of natural stone walls, walkways, patios, gardens, engineering retaining walls, pavers, raised patios and residential diveways.

For more information, call (570) 698-8557.}