This pergola draped in Wisteria over a Blue Stone patio is located at the home of Interior Designer Kim Hunkeler, located in central Massachusetts.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard stone landscaping in Boston with a pergola for spring.

A family in West University contacted us to design a contemporary Houston landscape for them. They live on a double lot, which is large for that neighborhood. They had built a custom home on the property, and they wanted a unique indoor-outdoor living experience that integrated a modern pool into the aesthetic of their home interior. This was made possible by the design of the home itself. The living room can be fully opened to the yard by sliding glass doors. The pool we built is actually a lap swimming pool that measures a full 65 feet in length. Not only is this pool unique in size and design, but it is also unique in how it ties into the home. The patio literally connects the living room to the edge of the water. There is no coping, so you can literally walk across the patio into the water and start your swim in the heated, lighted interior of the pool. Even for guests who do not swim, the proximity of the water to the living room makes the entire pool-patio layout part of the exterior design. This is a common theme in modern pool design. The patio is also notable because it is constructed from stones that fit so tightly together the joints seem to disappear. Although the linear edges of the stones are faintly visible, the surface is one contiguous whole whose linear seamlessness supports both the linearity of the home and the lengthwise expanse of the pool. While the patio design is strictly linear to tie the form of the home to that of the pool, our modern pool is decorated with a running bond pattern of tile work. Running bond is a design pattern that uses staggered stone, brick, or tile layouts to create something of a linear puzzle board effect that captures the eye. We created this pattern to compliment the brick work of the home exterior wall, thus aesthetically tying fine details of the pool to home architecture. At the opposite end of the pool, we built a fountain into the side of the home's perimeter wall. The fountain head is actually square, mirroring the bricks in the wall. Unlike a typical fountain, the water here pours out in a horizontal plane which even more reinforces the theme of the quadrilateral geometry and linear movement of the modern pool. We decorated the front of the home with a custom garden consisting of small ground cover plant species. We had to be very cautious around the trees due to West U’s strict tree preservation policies. In order to avoid damaging tree roots, we had to avoid digging too deep into the earth. The species used in this garden—Japanese Ardesia, foxtail ferns, and dwarf mondo not only avoid disturbing tree roots, but they are low-growth by nature and highly shade resistant. We also built a gravel driveway that provides natural water drainage and preserves the root zone for trees. Concrete pads cross the driveway to give the homeowners a sure-footing for walking to and from their vehicles.

Craftsman style living room with coffered ceilings and custom fireplace.
Arts and crafts living room photo in DC Metro with a tile fireplace

Kitchen towards sink and window. Photography by Sharon Risedorph; In Collaboration with designer and client Stacy Eisenmann. For questions on this project please contact Stacy at Eisenmann Architecture. (www.eisenmannarchitecture.com)

Nestled into sloping topography, the design of this home allows privacy from the street while providing unique vistas throughout the house and to the surrounding hill country and downtown skyline. Layering rooms with each other as well as circulation galleries, insures seclusion while allowing stunning downtown views. The owners' goals of creating a home with a contemporary flow and finish while providing a warm setting for daily life was accomplished through mixing warm natural finishes such as stained wood with gray tones in concrete and local limestone. The home's program also hinged around using both passive and active green features. Sustainable elements include geothermal heating/cooling, rainwater harvesting, spray foam insulation, high efficiency glazing, recessing lower spaces into the hillside on the west side, and roof/overhang design to provide passive solar coverage of walls and windows. The resulting design is a sustainably balanced, visually pleasing home which reflects the lifestyle and needs of the clients. Photography by Andrew Pogue

New Construction- The big challenge of this kitchen was the lack of wall cabinet space due to the large number of windows, and the client’s desire to have furniture in the kitchen . The view over a private lake is worth the trade, but finding a place to put dishes and glasses became problematic. The house was designed by Architect, Jack Jenkins and he allowed for a walk in pantry around the corner that accommodates smaller countertop appliances, food and a second refrigerator. Back at the Kitchen, Dishes & glasses were placed in drawers that were customized to accommodate taller tumblers. Base cabinets included rollout drawers to maximize the storage. The bookcase acts as a mini-drop off for keys on the way out the door. A second oven was placed on the island, so the microwave could be placed higher than countertop level on one of the only walls in the kitchen. Wall space was exclusively dedicated to appliances. The furniture pcs in the kitchen was selected and designed into the plan with dish storage in mind, but feels spontaneous in this casual and warm space. Homeowners have grown children, who are often home. Their extended family is very large family. Father’s Day they had a small gathering of 24 people, so the kitchen was the heart of activity. The house has a very restful feel and casually entertain often.Multiple work zones for multiple people. Plenty of space to lay out buffet style meals for large gatherings.Sconces at window, slat board walls, brick tile backsplash, Bathroom Vanity, Mudroom, & Kitchen Space designed by Tara Hutchens CKB, CBD (Designer at Splash Kitchens & Baths) Finishes and Styling by Cathy Winslow (owner of Splash Kitchens & Baths) Photos by Tom Harper.

Large elegant medium tone wood floor and brown floor entryway photo in Boston with a medium wood front door and white walls

This 8-0 feet deep porch stretches across the rear of the house. It's No. 1 grade salt treated deck boards are maintained with UV coating applied at 3 year intervals. All the principal living spaces on the first floor, as well as the Master Bedroom suite, are accessible to this porch with a 14x14 screened porch off the Kitchen breakfast area.

This lovely home sits in one of the most pristine and preserved places in the country - Palmetto Bluff, in Bluffton, SC. The natural beauty and richness of this area create an exceptional place to call home or to visit. The house lies along the river and fits in perfectly with its surroundings. 4,000 square feet - four bedrooms, four and one-half baths All photos taken by Rachael Boling Photography

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Orange County with white backsplash, an island, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, subway tile backsplash, quartzite countertops and white countertops

Kitchen - small contemporary single-wall kitchen idea in New York

Carlos Domenech
Example of a large trendy gender-neutral medium tone wood floor and beige floor kids' room design in Miami with white walls

Mid-century modern living room with open plan and floor to ceiling windows for indoor-outdoor ambiance, redwood paneled walls, exposed wood beam ceiling, wood flooring and mid-century modern style furniture, in Berkeley, California. - Photo by Bruce Damonte.

Jeff Miller
Example of a small transitional open concept medium tone wood floor family room library design in Other with no fireplace and no tv

A shade garden full of Hosts, Dicentra, Hakone Grass, Asarum canadense-wild Ginger, Helleborus, Epimedium , Ferns, Carex, Aquilegia & Heuchera to name a few. I find this area very little maintenance for me and provides color and interest from March to November-Dec. Mariane Wheatley-Miller

Study room - coastal built-in desk study room idea in Dallas

Roberto Farren Photography
Kitchen - traditional kitchen idea in Boston with glass-front cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and green backsplash

M J McCabe-Garden Design
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional landscaping in Bridgeport.

Example of a classic white tile bathroom design in Salt Lake City