Patio - modern patio idea in Phoenix

Designed and built by Land Art Design, Inc.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern screened-in back porch remodel in DC Metro with decking and a roof extension

Photos by Joe Fletcher
Patio - modern patio idea in Los Angeles with a pergola

Example of a minimalist backyard concrete and rectangular lap pool design in Los Angeles

A couple by the name of Claire and Dan Boyles commissioned Exterior Worlds to develop their back yard along the lines of a French Country garden design. They had recently designed and built a French Colonial style house. Claire had been very involved in the architectural design, and she communicated extensively her expectations for the landscape. The aesthetic we ultimately created for them was not a traditional French country garden per se, but instead was a variation on the symmetry, color, and sense of formality associated with this design. The most notable feature that we added to the estate was a custom swimming pool installed just to the rear of the home. It emphasized linearity, complimentary right angles, and it featured a luxury spa and pool fountain. We built the coping around the pool out of limestone, and we used concrete pavers to build the custom pool patio. We then added French pottery in various locations around the patio to balance the stonework against the look and structure of the home. We added a formal garden parallel to the pool to reflect its linear movement. Like most French country gardens, this design is bordered by sheered bushes and emphasizes straight lines, angles, and symmetry. One very interesting thing about this garden is that it is consist entirely of various shades of green, which lends itself well to the sense of a French estate. The garden is bordered by a taupe colored cedar fence that compliments the color of the stonework. Just around the corner from the back entrance to the house, there lies a double-door entrance to the master bedroom. This was an ideal place to build a small patio for the Boyles to use as a private seating area in the early mornings and evenings. We deviated slightly from strict linearity and symmetry by adding pavers that ran out like steps from the patio into the grass. We then planted boxwood hedges around the patio, which are common in French country garden design and combine an Old World sensibility with a morning garden setting. We then completed this portion of the project by adding rosemary and mondo grass as ground cover to the space between the patio, the corner of the house, and the back wall that frames the yard. This design is derivative of those found in morning gardens, and it provides the Boyles with a place where they can step directly from their bedroom into a private outdoor space and enjoy the early mornings and evenings. We further develop the sense of a morning garden seating area; we deviated slightly from the strict linear forms of the rest of the landscape by adding pavers that ran like steps from the patio and out into the grass. We also planted rosemary and mondo grass as ground cover to the space between the patio, the corner of the house, and the back wall that borders this portion of the yard. We then landscaped the front of the home with a continuing symmetry reminiscent of French country garden design. We wanted to establish a sense of grand entrance to the home, so we built a stone walkway that ran all the way from the sidewalk and then fanned out parallel to the covered porch that centers on the front door and large front windows of the house. To further develop the sense of a French country estate, we planted a small parterre garden that can be seen and enjoyed from the left side of the porch. On the other side of house, we built the Boyles a circular motorcourt around a large oak tree surrounded by lush San Augustine grass. We had to employ special tree preservation techniques to build above the root zone of the tree. The motorcourt was then treated with a concrete-acid finish that compliments the brick in the home. For the parking area, we used limestone gravel chips. French country garden design is traditionally viewed as a very formal style intended to fill a significant portion of a yard or landscape. The genius of the Boyles project lay not in strict adherence to tradition, but rather in adapting its basic principles to the architecture of the home and the geometry of the surrounding landscape. For more the 20 years Exterior Worlds has specialized in servicing many of Houston's fine neighborhoods.

Patio - mid-sized modern backyard concrete paver patio idea in Los Angeles with no cover

Marion Brenner
Design ideas for a large modern front yard retaining wall landscape in San Francisco.

At 35+ years, this Ft Worth lake-home is wearing it’s age very well. To freshen up the surrounding landscaping and supporting elements, our clients dreamed of an avant garde look for both the front and backyard outdoor living space that tied together. One Specialty designed a re-imagined driveway, address monument, welcoming area and Xeriscape landscaping for the front. We constructed a multi-level deck made with Trex, complete with an outdoor kitchen and outdoor bar in the backyard, resulting in multiple vignettes for entertaining which are fully wheelchair accessible. To see before photos and more information on this project: http://www.onespecialty.com/lake-retreat/

Marion Brenner
Example of a minimalist backyard rectangular hot tub design in San Francisco

Design ideas for a small modern drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard landscaping in San Diego.

CAROLINA E
This is an example of a large modern front porch design in Miami with decking and a roof extension.

Dan Solomon
This is an example of a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant and partial sun front yard concrete paver landscaping in Los Angeles for summer.

Example of a large minimalist backyard concrete paver patio kitchen design in New Orleans with a roof extension

Example of a mid-sized minimalist backyard brick patio kitchen design in Jacksonville

The Amari by Westmod features a luxury swimming pool, sunken lounge area, bbq island, custom swing, and landscaping.
Example of a mid-sized minimalist backyard tile and l-shaped pool design in Orange County

Inspiration for a large modern backyard patio vertical garden remodel in Los Angeles with decking and no cover

photography by Joslyn Amato
Example of a large minimalist backyard concrete patio kitchen design in San Luis Obispo with a pergola

Inspiration for a modern pool remodel in Phoenix

This modern white and grey pool uses a custom mix of 3/4"x3/4" recycled glass mosaic for the pool and Jacuzzi. There are many colors to choose from to make a custom mix. Some colors are also available in the 3/8"x3/8".