Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional partial sun front yard mulch landscaping in Boston for spring.

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

Inspiration for a large timeless backyard stone patio remodel in Columbus with a fire pit

Genevieve de Manio Photography
Example of a huge classic rooftop rooftop outdoor kitchen deck design in Boston with no cover

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 traditional backyard gravel patio idea in Cleveland with a fire pit and no cover

American traditional Spring Valley home looking to add an outdoor living room designed and built to look original to the home building on the existing trim detail and infusing some fresh finish options. Project highlights include: split brick with decorative craftsman columns, wet stamped concrete and coffered ceiling with oversized beams and T&G recessed ceiling. 2 French doors were added for access to the new living space. We also included a wireless TV/Sound package and a complete pressure wash and repaint of home. Photo Credit: TK Images

Photo of a large traditional partial sun front yard stone landscaping in Chicago.

This gourmet kitchen includes wood burning pizza oven, grill, side burner, egg smoker, sink, refrigerator, trash chute, serving station and more! Photography: Daniel Driensky

An English style Georgian home with walled courtyard garden. Photographer: John Howard.
Photo of a traditional backyard stone formal garden in Atlanta.

Mid-sized elegant concrete screened-in back porch photo in Other with a roof extension

Blue & White Garden with rectangular lily pond; azaleas, tree peonies, assorted Spring bulbs, perennials and flowering shrubs. Display Garden, Seekonk, MA.

Summary As far as unique outdoor living spaces go, this entire backyard makeover at Manor Country Club in Rockville, Maryland has the bases covered. A flagstone patio, AZEK-covered deck, cedar pergola, and hot tub were added to make this Montgomery County home stand out. The basement was also renovated and given a stone fireplace. Situated on Manor's 18th tee box, the patio and pavilion feature open views, low-maintenance plantings, and all of the amenities one needs for entertaining. The integrated hot tub is integrated into the AZEK decking for easy and safe access. We also paved the driveway and laid stone for the front path. Other features Hot tub that is half under the awning and half exposed to the sky for excellent stargazing Integrated porch lighting Stone flower boxes built into the multi-tiered patio Materials AZEK Terra Collection decking, Tahoe AZEK Harvest Collection decking, slate gray Pennsylvania flagstone patio blocks Cedar wood Pressure-treated wood Photos by Venturaphoto

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional landscaping in Other.

This timber column porch replaced a small portico. It features a 7.5' x 24' premium quality pressure treated porch floor. Porch beam wraps, fascia, trim are all cedar. A shed-style, standing seam metal roof is featured in a burnished slate color. The porch also includes a ceiling fan and recessed lighting.

Example of a large classic backyard concrete paver patio design in Richmond with a fireplace and a gazebo

Example of a mid-sized classic backyard stone patio design in Seattle with a fire pit and a gazebo

Bamboo water feature, brick patio, fire pit, Japanese garden, Japanese Tea Hut, Japanese water feature, lattice, metal roof, outdoor bench, outdoor dining, fire pit, tree grows up through deck, firepit stools, paver patio, privacy screens, trellis, hardscape patio, Tigerwood Deck, wood beam, wood deck, privacy screens, bubbler water feature, paver walkway

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard stone patio remodel in San Francisco with a pergola