When you’re deciding what you want your dream backyard to look like it’s a good idea to consider how stages of your project will work with your home. For instance, adding real grass to your new yard is a great idea, some fresh cut turf will add a refreshing touch of greenery to your personal oasis out in the El Paso Desert. However, grass, just like all plants needs to be watered ten times more often than other outdoor plants. Often the sprinkler systems used to water our lawns pose the risk of water damage to stucco homes and the surrounding rock walls or fences. Stucco is one of several types of cladding or siding used for the outermost layer of a house or building to provide detail toward the end of its construction by isolating structural elements. It is one of the most popular building materials used in El Paso, and in most other dry climates, known for its affordability and minimal maintenance. Although frequently used it does have its disadvantages, such as...

Springtime is just around the corner and what better way to welcome the new season thanwith a flourishing yard? I’m sure it might seem like there is no way to have a vibrant garden in “the desert”.We’re absolutely thrilled to let you know that that’s not the case and that you most certainly can.Becoming familiar with your hardiness zone is key as well as knowing when the first and lastfrost dates are in your region. The USDA offers an easy lookup using your zip code. For us here in El Paso, we are located in Zone 8. You can also look up your area’s frost dates using The Farmer’s Almanac or simply keeping an eye on your local weather channels, which is highly recommended either way as weather is subject to change! Almanac (Check out our blog ‘Get in the Zone’ to learn more about zone 8 + some of its naturalvegetation!) Though the desert soil is tough it is not impossible to manage. Bulbs are a great place tostart. One of the first...

A lush and full blooming garden is the ultimate goal for plant lovers and gardeners alike. Most gardeners know that one of the best things you can do for your plants to keep them looking good is deadheading. If you’re new to gardening or even just new to plant care and you’re still wondering what exactly deadheading is, you’re in the right place. WHAT IS DEADHEADING AND WHY SHOULD I DO IT? Deadheading is the act of removing spent areas of the plant in order to keep a neat appearance and to encourage further blooming. Spent, as used in the definition refers to any dead and faded parts of the plant whether it be a flower head, leaf, or stem. Doing this also controls the spreading of seeds and lets the plant continue to grow thicker and fuller than it was before. HOW DO I DEADHEAD A PLANT? If deadheading is performed regularly, it isn’t as time consuming or as overwhelming as you might imagine it to be. Truthfully, it will end up being...

So, you’ve been thinking about adding an outdoor kitchen to your backyard… because who doesn’t enjoy a nice cookout, and there’s just something about how good the food is when it’s made and eaten outside. We know it can be a little overwhelming thinking about what to add, what design is best and how much of a kitchen you want, etc. There’s just so much that can come with an outdoor kitchen so let’s break it down… Now, what creates the outdoor kitchen space is comprised of different areas. Similar to what you’d find in an indoor kitchen you have your prepping area and cooking area curated to your liking. The cooking zone would typically be the focal point in your outdoor kitchen since that’s where the magic happens. This would consist of your grill, pizza ovens, smokers, ice makers, dishwashers or whatever you prefer along with storage units for utensils and safe/easy access to gas lines. Following the cooking area is the prep zone which should be about 3ft in length to give...

Quality assurance is GO Designs’ top priority for our customers when it comes to both ourservices and our products. In order to provide that, we have spent over a decade dedicatingourselves to perfecting everything we do. That knowledge and experience is what helps us todeliver not only aesthetically pleasing product, but that which are also sustainable and tailored toeach individual project. DESIGN FEES & GETTING STARTED Let’s start with the basics, ‘Design Fees’. When one hears that, they may wonder why adesign fee would be necessary. The design fees that GO Designs charges aren’t just for any olddrawing plan. These plans are curated and perfected by our designers who always take great heedto the needs and wants of the client, as to ensure an outcome that is truly authentic to our clientsand their homes. At GO Designs there are two design options available: A traditional CAD Drawing and a3D design both with different starting prices. The most popular choice is a 3D Design and here’swhy. With 3D designs the client is then able to...

Our pets mean the world to us, and to our pets we are the same, so when we make bigchanges in our homes, those are big changes for them too. They trust that whatever we do will besafe for them because like small children, dogs can be a little too curious with what they can andcan’t eat. Dogs lead with their noses so anything that smells good enough to eat may go rightdown the hatch. Luckily, we’re here to help you learn how to create a safe but flourishingenvironment for you and your pets. Now, whether it’s a cat or a dog you have as your companion it’s important to know thatboth might go to nibble on the plants and grass in your backyard to help with digestive issues orto induce vomiting to get rid of something in their system that’s not agreeing with them.Although this isn’t a bad thing or abnormal it can become dangerous if they get ahold ofsomething poisonous or if your plants are covered in unsafe chemicals. Here is a...

Whether you grew up here in El Paso or you’ve come from elsewhere in the country or even the world, it’s always good to know exactly what zone you’ve gotten yourself into. The United States is split into 11-13 different zones, which inform you about the climate in the area regarding plant growth and survival as well as the first/last frost. This will help narrow down what plants are best for your perfect little green space. El Paso falls under Zone 8, which has about 245 growing days, so knowing when the best time to grow which plants are necessary and different plants have different times and needs. If you’ve taken a look around El Paso, you know, or you’ll begin to see just how much of a desert we live in! Most areas will most likely have a type of landscaping called Xeriscaping/Xeric Scapes. This sort of landscaping is a design meant to reduce irrigation use using only native vegetation that grows well in the provided natural climate. Xeriscaping isn’t the only way...

So, you’ve been thinking about adding a fire pit… we believe your backyard should feel inviting to you and yours all year round. Fire pits are a great way to do just that, from a fun summer bonfire to an intimate setting on a chilly winter night. There are so many types and styles of fire pits to choose from and many things to consider when getting ready to welcome such an addition to your home.  WOOD-BURNING FIREPITS If you’re looking for something sweet, traditional, and straightforward, you may be looking in the direction of a wood-burning fire pit, especially if you’re the snacking kind around a fire. Think, campfire, the feeling of being out in the wilderness, the sound of the wood crackling and tiny sparks floating about you in the air while telling stories, laughing, and just having a good time. Wood-burning fire pits consist of a bowl or shell where the wood is burned, made from steel, copper, cast iron, or stone, ranging from about 80lbs for a portable fire pit...

Most new homeowners focus on beautifying their home indoor space with little attention paid to outdoor living space. That’s understandable when you’re only starting to build a home and on a tight budget but there’s no denying that a home feels incomplete without a properly designed outdoor living space. Outdoor spaces connect us to the earth. It grounds us and makes us feel centered especially in times when things in our life happen so fast. Spending time outdoors has several benefits to counteract living a busy life. It gives us a taste of nature without having to leave home if we don’t have the time to travel or go on hikes.  A sunny outdoor space where you can sip iced tea, read a good book, or simply do nothing for hours to help clear our mind. Here are a few tips that can give you that serene and stylish backyard that most of us dream of. 1. Custom Fire PitThese beautiful, open pit, outdoor fireplaces are a great way to hang out and relax...

The following is an article from USA Today: J.P. Hayes, a professional golfer, used to get lonely hosting barbecues.  “I would be at the grill at one end while everyone else was 50 or 60 yards away on the porch,” Hayes says. So he went ahead and hired George Ocampo, owner of GO Designs in El Paso, Texas, to put him at the center of the party. “Initially I just wanted to install a grill on the porch, but George came up with a computer-generated plan beyond what I thought was possible,” Hayes says.  While lawns and gardens are pretty, a low-maintenance backyard can be more appealing for some homeowners. Hardscaping, which refers to paths, patios and other hard surfaces, provides an attractive place to relax outdoors. “The goal of hardscaping is to make the outside of the house as livable as the inside,” says Jason Brownlee, owner of J. Brownlee Design in Nashville, Tennessee. Among the most popular elements of hardscaping are outdoor kitchens, patios, pergolas, and fire pits, says Ocampo, who has been in...