Dedication day for Japanese gate at Hardy Elementary School, Arlington, MA. Gate was dedicated to the victims of the 2011 Japan tsunami. Hardy School has a large Japanese student population. Phoro credit: TG Musco

Greg Hadley
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary shade courtyard mulch landscaping in DC Metro.

View to the patio from arbor.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional full sun courtyard brick formal garden in Boston.

Design ideas for a large traditional partial sun courtyard gravel formal garden in Boston for summer.

Katy Sheppard - New gate sets the tone.
Photo of a small transitional shade courtyard stone landscaping in Chicago for spring.

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Garden pool and steps
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional courtyard water fountain landscape in Burlington.

Leo McKillop Photography
Inspiration for a large traditional full sun courtyard gravel water fountain landscape in Boston.

This small space was once the main parking area for this cottage lakeside home and was radically transformed into an intimate and inviting courtyard. Defined by a hand stacked fieldstone wall, granite stepping stones lead from the entrance of the garden and gradually wind their way over a stream bed and lead to the porch that borders the garden. Although set in a cold weather climate, the client requested that the garden be developed to have a lush tropical feeling yet remain consistent with the general surroundings. This was achieved by using a mixture of large leafed perennials such as Ligularia, Hosta and Petasites (Butterbur) ,along with various groundcovers and other perennials including Ferns, Iris and Japanese Forest Grass. The central feature of the garden is a naturalized meandering stream and pond filled with Koi. The use of water in the garden thematically ties the house and courtyard to the homes’ surrounding, an adjacent lake, and adds movement and tranquil sound to the space. Stepping stones appear to float across the surface of the water allowing the visitor another way to enjoy the space. Scale is essential with even the smallest detail needing to be well executed within such limited space. Photos by: George Dzahristos

Inspiration for a contemporary courtyard landscaping in New York with decking.

University of Chicago Child Care Center uses an ECO-ROCK™ Wall System filled with colorful rocks.
This is an example of a mid-sized industrial courtyard gravel formal garden in Tampa.

A Southwest style courtyard was designed for family and critters to enjoy an enclosed outdoor space. The 'elk mountain' flagstone path winds thru a cactus garden featuring a 'mancave macho mocha, 'old man cactus and euphorbia tirucali. The perennial garden has a 'caesalpinia pulcherrima', vitex purpurea', cuphea ignea. The sitting garden includes a Furcrea mediopicta (mexico), Leucophyllum frutescens silver leaf (Rio Bravo), and Grevillea'long john' Sitting at the mesquite table one can enjoy the re-circulating boulder fountain which attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Brightly colored mexican tile enhances the barbecue. The fireplace with built-in light box has a private sitting area surrounded by an Aloe tree, acacia cultriformis and strelitzia juncea (South Africa)

Photo by Linda Oyama Bryan
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional shade courtyard brick driveway in Chicago for spring.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional shade courtyard concrete paver garden path in Nashville.

Paul Kiefer / Specialty Gardens LLC
This is an example of a small traditional full sun courtyard garden path in Grand Rapids for summer.

Sophisticated driveway of a Houston estate, featuring a sleek brick pavement bordered by meticulously trimmed hedges and elegant potted trees. The clean white brick walls and arches enhance the modern aesthetic, while the carefully maintained greenery adds a touch of nature. The simple yet stylish design creates a welcoming entrance, blending seamlessly with the luxurious ambiance of the property.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional partial sun courtyard stone garden path in Dallas for summer.

This is an example of a traditional courtyard landscaping in Kansas City.

Inspiration for a huge mediterranean partial sun courtyard brick driveway in Miami for spring.