Design ideas for a traditional front yard formal garden in Detroit.

David Joseph
Example of a mid-sized trendy gray three-story brick exterior home design in New York with a hip roof

Boulder staircase with disappearing fountain and steel arbor at entrance to back yard
Inspiration for a large traditional partial sun front yard stone landscaping in Austin for spring.

Example of a trendy patio design in San Francisco

It started with vision. Then arrived fresh sight, seeing what was absent, seeing what was possible. Followed quickly by desire and creativity and know-how and communication and collaboration. When the Ramsowers first called Exterior Worlds, all they had in mind was an outdoor fountain. About working with the Ramsowers, Jeff Halper, owner of Exterior Worlds says, “The Ramsowers had great vision. While they didn’t know exactly what they wanted, they did push us to create something special for them. I get inspired by my clients who are engaged and focused on design like they were. When you get that kind of inspiration and dialogue, you end up with a project like this one.” For Exterior Worlds, our design process addressed two main features of the original space—the blank surface of the yard surrounded by looming architecture and plain fencing. With the yard, we dug out the center of it to create a one-foot drop in elevation in which to build a sunken pool. At one end, we installed a spa, lining it with a contrasting darker blue glass tile. Pedestals topped with urns anchor the pool and provide a place for spot color. Jets of water emerge from these pedestals. This moving water becomes a shield to block out urban noises and makes the scene lively. (And the children think it’s great fun to play in them.) On the side of the pool, another fountain, an illuminated basin built of limestone, brick and stainless steel, feeds the pool through three slots. The pool is counterbalanced by a large plot of grass. What is inventive about this grassy area is its sub-structure. Before putting down the grass, we installed a French drain using grid pavers that pulls water away, an action that keeps the soil from compacting and the grass from suffocating. The entire sunken area is finished off with a border of ground cover that transitions the eye to the limestone walkway and the retaining wall, where we used the same reclaimed bricks found in architectural features of the house. In the outer border along the fence line, we planted small trees that give the space scale and also hide some unsightly utility infrastructure. Boxwood and limestone gravel were embroidered into a parterre design to underscore the formal shape of the pool. Additionally, we planted a rose garden around the illuminated basin and a color garden for seasonal color at the far end of the yard across from the covered terrace. To address the issue of the house’s prominence, we added a pergola to the main wing of the house. The pergola is made of solid aluminum, chosen for its durability, and painted black. The Ramsowers had used reclaimed ornamental iron around their front yard and so we replicated its pattern in the pergola’s design. “In making this design choice and also by using the reclaimed brick in the pool area, we wanted to honor the architecture of the house,” says Halper. We continued the ornamental pattern by building an aluminum arbor and pool security fence along the covered terrace. The arbor’s supports gently curve out and away from the house. It, plus the pergola, extends the structural aspect of the house into the landscape. At the same time, it softens the hard edges of the house and unifies it with the yard. The softening effect is further enhanced by the wisteria vine that will eventually cover both the arbor and the pergola. From a practical standpoint, the pergola and arbor provide shade, especially when the vine becomes mature, a definite plus for the west-facing main house. This newly-created space is an updated vision for a traditional garden that combines classic lines with the modern sensibility of innovative materials. The family is able to sit in the house or on the covered terrace and look out over the landscaping. To enjoy its pleasing form and practical function. To appreciate its cool, soothing palette, the blues of the water flowing into the greens of the garden with a judicious use of color. And accept its invitation to step out, step down, jump in, enjoy.

This is an example of a mediterranean front yard landscaping in Los Angeles.

Meticulous stone work on the house flows into the dry stack walls.
This is an example of a traditional front yard landscaping in Salt Lake City.

Custom stone 'pondless' waterfall feature, integrated into the stone garden wall on the second level.
This is an example of a large mediterranean drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel water fountain landscape in San Francisco.

Design ideas for a huge traditional full sun hillside gravel landscaping in San Francisco for spring.

Terraced yard with stone veneer and walk out basement
Large traditional beige two-story wood house exterior idea with a gambrel roof and a shingle roof

This was a very small yard sandwiched between the house and a cross tie retaining wall. We designed and installed a pool, hot tub, waterfall on one end, and a fireplace, pergola and outdoor kitchen on the other. The client wanted a tropical looking landscape, so we installed Japanese Maples and Windmill Palms. We hid the cross tie wall using a mix of vertical plantings like Emerald Green Arborvitae and vines like Creeping Fig and Boston Ivy. Mark Schisler, Legacy Landscapes, Inc.

Photography: ©ShadesOfGreen
Design ideas for a contemporary retaining wall landscape in San Francisco.

Complete renovation of historic Cow Hollow home. Existing front facade remained for historical purposes. Scope included framing the entire 3 story structure, constructing large concrete retaining walls, and installing a storefront folding door system at family room that opens onto rear stone patio. Rear yard features terraced concrete planters and living wall. Photos: Bruce DaMonte Interior Design: Martha Angus Architect: David Gast

Photo of a large traditional front yard stone retaining wall landscape in Denver.

Exterior and landscaping.
Huge southwestern beige one-story adobe flat roof idea in Santa Barbara

On the site of an old family summer cottage, nestled on a lake in upstate New York, rests this newly constructed year round residence. The house is designed for two, yet provides plenty of space for adult children and grandchildren to come and visit. The serenity of the lake is captured with an open floor plan, anchored by fireplaces to cozy up to. The public side of the house presents a subdued presence with a courtyard enclosed by three wings of the house. Photo Credit: David Lamb

Inspiration for a large traditional front yard stone retaining wall landscape in Denver.

This is an example of a large traditional front yard stone retaining wall landscape in Denver.

There is a drop of over five feet from the fire patio to the grassy landing below which leads to a walk-out bedroom patio. A patio off the bedroom can be the perfect place to wind down before bed or to wake up with nature.