For this contemporary, Japanese-style residence sitting high on a hill in southern Vermont, JMMDS created a simple, clean-lined design using stone pavers, retaining walls, and geometric beds to define the area around the house. The house is composed of two long offset barn buildings with eaves that are joined in the middle around an exterior stone courtyard. JMMDS’s design holds up the steep surrounding slopes with a long stone retaining wall bordering a rectangular quartzite terrace with a beautiful view out to the surrounding landscape. The wall encloses a level grass shelf around the house; outside the wall, less manicured turf drops away quickly down the slope. Ledges on the hillside that parallels the house are exposed as an asset. On the entry side of the house, JMMDS designed a wall that retains the slope between garage and house, accessed by a set of broad stone steps and linear pavers that take a visitor straight to the front door. Plantings in geometric beds surround more quartzite pavers that form a terrace for the guest wing of the house. The drip space under the eaves is filled with black washed river stone. Photo: Scott Wunderle

This is an example of a mid-sized rustic full sun front yard stone formal garden in Boston for spring.

A closer look at this stone stair constructed with Tennessee Crab Orchard Flagstone slabs. Thick slabs were snap cut and carefully arranged to create this attractive walk to the water.

Photo of a large traditional shade backyard stone retaining wall landscape in New York.

Inspiration for a large mediterranean partial sun backyard stone landscaping in Minneapolis for summer.

The Pennsylvania Bluestone walk and native plantings of wildflowers, grasses and evergreens make this an attractive walk to the new dock.
Inspiration for a coastal partial sun hillside stone landscaping in DC Metro for fall.

Inspiration for a contemporary hillside landscaping in Boston with a pergola.

We designed this lovely, private dining area with custom wood-slat screens and a concrete kitchen complete with seating, grilling, counters and wood storage. Climbing hydrangea vines are being trained to extend over the custom window arbor.

Inspiration for a modern home design remodel in New York

Laurel Way Beverly Hills modern home zen garden under floating stairs. Photo by William MacCollum.
This is an example of a small asian partial sun courtyard gravel and stone fence landscaping in Los Angeles.

Photo of a large traditional partial sun backyard stone garden path in DC Metro.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional full sun front yard stone landscaping in New York for summer.

Paul Dyer Photography
Inspiration for a transitional partial sun backyard landscaping in San Francisco.

Photo of a large traditional partial sun backyard stone retaining wall landscape in New York.

Example of a mid-sized trendy beige mixed siding exterior home design in Phoenix

The cylindrical steel water bubbler forms the beginning of the water journey that travels from the upper landscape to the lower level around the back of the house. The “handrill” of Corten steel follows the peastone and steel steps down a steep slope. Architect: Wolf Architects, Inc. General Contractor: GF Rhode Construction, Inc. Landscape Contractor: Robert Hanss, Inc. Steel Fabrication: Wovensteel and Richard Duca Water Systems: Pond Creations by Sean Photo by Susan Teare.

Inspiration for a large contemporary drought-tolerant and partial sun side yard concrete paver garden path in San Francisco for spring.

Transitional three-story flat roof photo in San Francisco

In Manhattan’s landmarked Tribeca North, the top floor and roof of an 1884 warehouse are reconceived as a warm and welcoming residence with a fluid connection to the outdoor environment. A relocated mezzanine features a sunken court yard with a retractable glass roof and connects to the new green roof garden above. Embracing the building’s industrial past, a visual discourse between new and old is devised through insertions of modern materials along with restored or reclaimed materials. Photography: Albert Vecerka-Esto