A refurbished Queen Anne needed privacy from a busy street corner while not feeling like it was behind a privacy hedge. A mixed use of evergreen trees and shrubs, deciduous plants and perennials give a warm cottage feel while creating the privacy the garden needed from the street.

Moroccan Fish Scales in all white were the perfect choice to brighten and liven this small partial bath! Using a unique tile shape while keeping a monochromatic white theme is a great way to add pizazz to a bathroom that you and all your guests will love. Large Moroccan Fish Scales – 301 Marshmallow

Designed with Bay-Friendly landscaping principles to maximize ecological benefits to the environment.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional partial sun hillside formal garden in San Francisco for summer.

Design ideas for a traditional partial sun landscaping in Boston.

A steep hillside is turned into a lush landscape using salvias, ornamental grasses, pomegranates and other easy care plants.
Photo of a traditional hillside stone landscaping in San Francisco.

Designed with Bay-Friendly landscaping principles to maximize ecological benefits to the environment.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional partial sun hillside landscaping in San Francisco for summer.

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

Ford
Trendy medium tone wood floor great room photo in Austin with white walls

Heucherella Pumpkin Spice used as entrance plant on both ends of the walkway, Star Magnolia visually separates the driveway space from the intimate space; limestone sundial was gift from parents.

Large rose-form flowers are a blend of pinks resembling Camellia japonica flowers. Dark foliage on an upright, dense, conical form. Use as a specimen or intermediate hedge. FEATURES Bloom/Feature Plant Type Shrubs Evergreen or Deciduous Evergreen USDA Zones 7, 8, 9 Zone Detail Hardy to 5°F USDA zones 7-9 Key Features Use Exposure Full sun to part shade. Best bloom performance in light shade Bloom Season Blends of pink blooms in the fall Dimension 4-6 ' H x 3-4' W Growth Rate Slow to moderate CARE Water Regular water Soil Type Rich, acidic, moist, well-drained soil Fertilizer Early spring Pruning Shape in early spring PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS • water before planting • plant in full sun to part shade • dig hole 3X the width of pot • backfill and plant 1”-2” above soil level • water and add more soil if needed • mulch plants”

Secondary side yard gate. Laura Livingston
This is an example of a traditional side yard stone landscaping in San Francisco.

After removing an outdated circle drive and overgrown plantings, our team reconfigured the drive and installed a full-range color bluestone walk to clearly emphasize the main door over the side entry.

The round rock path leads through fragrant thyme, blue oat grass, iris, ceanothus, rosmary, pine, lavender and blanket flower to a patio by the sea. Located on the shores of Puget Sound in Washington State. Photo by Scott Lankford

the bamboo is a clumping variety called Bambusa eutuldoides viridi-vittata , Asian lemon bamboo. This variety is a clumper and you do not need to contain it, however, do allow an 8'by 10' area for its ultimate growth. Bamboo does require constant maintenance and you will need to do some research for the specific variety you choose. Once planted, it will become a beautiful focal point and add a stunning tropical accent. Photo Credit: Sherwood Cox

Irregular bluestone stepper path and woodland shade garden.
Inspiration for a traditional shade stone landscaping in Boston.

This kitchen was formerly a dark paneled, cluttered, divided space with little natural light. By eliminating partitions and creating a more functional, open floorplan, as well as adding modern windows with traditional detailing, providing lovingly detailed built-ins for the clients extensive collection of beautiful dishes, and lightening up the color palette we were able to create a rather miraculous transformation. The wide plank salvaged pine floors, the antique french dining table, as well as the Galbraith & Paul drum pendant and the salvaged antique glass monopoint track pendants all help to provide a warmth to the crisp detailing. Renovation/Addition. Rob Karosis Photography

This garden pathway links the front yard to the backyard area. Perennials and shrubs bloom throughout the season providing interest points that change from week to week. Creeping thyme and other flowering plants fill in the spaces between the irregular stone pathway.

A paver patio (Anchor Afton, walnut color) to gives the homeowners the entertainment and dining space they wanted. The blended colors of the pavers pull together the colors of the roof shingles (brown) and the New York Bluestone (blue/gray). The smaller pattern of the pavers defines the space, inviting guests to sit. Plus, the plant bed between the wall and the patio gave the homeowners a space to plant seasonal color and an edible garden.

In Oakland we designed a small front yard that packs a lot of color. This new perennial garden is low-water and provides a lush setting in contrast to the wide open walkway to the front porch. The clean symmetry of the poured concrete path is offset by the wild display of flowering plants.