Flagstone path with Armeria, Lavender, Dymondia and Fortnight Lily
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary partial sun backyard stone landscaping in San Francisco.

This Westlake site posed several challenges that included managing a sloping lot and capturing the views of downtown Austin in specific locations on the lot, while staying within the height restrictions. The service and garages split in two, buffering the less private areas of the lot creating an inner courtyard. The ancillary rooms are organized around this court leading up to the entertaining areas. The main living areas serve as a transition to a private natural vegetative bluff on the North side. Breezeways and terraces connect the various outdoor living spaces feeding off the great room and dining, balancing natural light and summer breezes to the interior spaces. The private areas are located on the upper level, organized in an inverted “u”, maximizing the best views on the lot. The residence represents a programmatic collaboration of the clients’ needs and subdivision restrictions while engaging the unique features of the lot. Built by Butterfield Custom Homes Photography by Adam Steiner

Cottage Garden
Design ideas for a traditional raised garden bed in Birmingham.

Marion Brenner
This is an example of a farmhouse backyard vegetable garden landscape in San Francisco with a pergola.

Susan Teare
Elegant kitchen photo in Burlington with a farmhouse sink, yellow cabinets, recessed-panel cabinets and stainless steel appliances

Honey bee pollinating an apricot tree
Inspiration for a landscaping in San Francisco.

The blades of Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) are a graceful counterpoint to the more diminutive flowers. Color and texture are carefully balanced in this exuberant garden to create harmony and prevent it from feeling too chaotic. The abundance of blooms is a magnet for birds and butterflies.

Located in the one of the most sought after streets in Gold Coast this holiday home conveys a nautical feel and boasts spectacular views of the Gold Coast hinterland. The clients have always had a strong desire to create a holiday home that encouraged a sense of relaxed living where by the days would be gentle and slow. After residing in the US for several years the clients became admirers of homes in the New England region and in particular the Hamptons. They loved the American take on modern English country, and of equal appeal was the classic Hampton beach lifestyle of carefree summers spent sailing, swimming, boating and fishing. When deciding to renovate their family beach house on the gold coast they knew they wanted to recreate that same effortless elegance and style they were drawn to in the Hamptons and combine it with the relaxed familiarity of Australian living. In their words they wanted to create a home that was “luxurious but never too perfect”. Central to the brief was also the need to satisfy their enthusiastic and demanding gourmands. Not only do they enjoy everything about cooking but also love entertaining especially during the holiday seasons with Christmas and Thanksgiving (an American tradition they quickly became accustomed to) being their favourite times to celebrate. Whether it’s a casual meal with family and friends or a more formal gathering, the kitchen had to function and withstand a great deal of activity. Our challenge was to bring to fruition the clients very definite vision for their home and this thereby presenting us with an ambitious design and renovation project encompassing a large portion of the home. With the kitchen such being such a focal point in the house our task was to orchestrate a space that would be elegant yet comfortable and that required the successful marriage of the design elements for their desired style of interior. Transforming the space. Small, cramped and unbalanced the original kitchen was positioned on a platform - along with the dinning and master bedroom. The original galley kitchen consisted of a full wall of tall cabinetry which boxed in what was already a narrow kitchen. To pave the way for a larger and more spacious design sought after by the clients the southern end of the existing platform was extended in length, walls adjoining the hallway were modified and the opening in the opposing wall closed off. The original laundry on the lower platform which backed onto the kitchen via a hallway was completely redesigned to make way for a new butlers pantry and as requested by the client to house the large Eline Electrolux fridges (required for entertaining). On the lower platform the original opening to the old laundry (no longer required) was also closed off and a new cavity slider entry was cut into the pantry from the kitchen to provide easy and functional access. A new landing was built to bring the storage area of the pantry up to the same level as the kitchen. A “pass through” was created to connect the pantry to the kitchen and dining room, providing easy and functional access to the utility room. The exposed rafters and existing ceiling in both the new kitchen and pantry areas were sheeted in to allow for a new and more effective and functional lighting layout. The conversion of the laundry to allow for a separate pantry and to house the new large fridges (a specific request from the client) was a key aspect to the design as this allowed us to maximise the feeling of space and include large open bench space either side of what was already a narrow galley kitchen. Here the Calacutta marble benchtops selected for their character look lavish and add clean lines to the design. In keeping with the desire to create a sense of calm, elements of balance and symmetry were incorporated into the design and on the cooking (western) wall a large induction cooktop and custom made rangehood cladded in Queensland Cedar veneer was centred and is a key architectural element. The protruded moulding ‘shaker door’ cabinetry further enhance the rooms character and glass front overhead cabinets amplify light and bring the coastal aesthetics into play. All overhead doors are fitted with Blum HF Aventos Servo Drive to ensure functional and ergonomic use in this narrow space. To store the households extensive collection of kitchen utensils, large platters and crockery, generous storage by way of drawers was incorporated in to the kitchen. With the large fridges placed in the pantry as per the clients request, an under bench integrated fridge was positioned in the main kitchen to allow for the storage of everyday necessities. On the opposing (eastern) wall the white ceramic butlers sink is another focal point for the Hampton style kitchen and the ‘Provence’ tap balances with the scale of the kitchen and complements the overall design. A convenient custom made ‘built in’ butchers block was a must have for the client and provides the ideal prep area. The mixed Australian hardwood complements the other natural timber elements including the new Tasmanian oak solid timber flooring and provides textural balance in this timeless interior. Below the butchers block, two Queensland Cedar solid timber trays boast the family emblem and Initials to mark the kitchens exclusivity and further personalises the kitchen. Interest and texture. The earth and sea colour scheme is in keeping with the neutral pallet and softness in the rest of the home and mimic the hues from both the seaside and the views beyond. Careful attention was given to the layering of these earthy shades, tones and textures to ensure the space had unity and depth – a necessary consideration for such a neutral pallet. An example of this is the marbled tiled splashback. Two variations of the tiles (honed and antique brushed) were sourced and cut to size and randomly placed in a brickwork pattern to create visual interest and be less predictable at eye level. The end result. The resulting kitchen is certainly one of the most show stopping features of the home with its bespoke fit out entirely geared to delivering a functional workspace dedicated to the sheer enjoyment of entertaining and cooking. The effortlessly stylish design and timeless finish transcends to fit this Australian home and the relaxed vibe this family was so eager to create for their holiday beach house.

Inside my baking cupboard by Torie Jayne
Eclectic kitchen photo in Devon with white cabinets, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Trendy kitchen photo in Adelaide

Chris Warne
Example of a trendy medium tone wood floor great room design in Sydney with white walls and a standard fireplace

Inspiration for an eclectic drought-tolerant backyard vegetable garden landscape in Melbourne.

Ben Hosking
Living room - modern medium tone wood floor living room idea in Melbourne with a wood stove

Example of a beach style bathroom design in Perth

This Kitchen merge contemporary and industrial style, it's all white with black stone countertop and some grey metal elements.
Example of a trendy kitchen design in London with white cabinets, an island, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash