Large elegant stone front porch photo in New York with a roof extension

Warm and welcoming. Detailed covered front entrance and porch. Bluestone walkway and bluestone slabs as steps up to porch.
Inspiration for a large transitional front porch remodel in Other with a roof extension

Tree house & bluestone steps over pond.
This is an example of a rustic water fountain landscape in New York.

The boxwood takes on a chartreuse green in early spring the gate leads to a pool beyond
Photo of a small traditional backyard gravel formal garden in Charlotte for spring.

Inspiration for a large timeless backyard tile patio remodel in New York with a fire pit and no cover

Transitional white exterior home photo in Los Angeles

Patio - large traditional backyard tile patio idea in New York with a fire pit and no cover

Saw-Cut Bluestone Step Risers with Bluestone Treadstock Treads with Undercap Lights and Dry-Laid Random Rectangular Full Color Bluestone Patio with Stucco Seatwalls with Bluestone Treadstock Caps.

The Land Collaborative. Flamed treads and Wall caps
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in San Francisco.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional stone side porch design in New York with a roof extension.

Mid-sized elegant beige vinyl house exterior photo in New York

Natural Cleft Bluestone random pattern patio & walkway, LED mood lighting, landscape design & construction, masonry fire pit, seating wall and planter using cultured stone veneer, new composite deck installed wit water proofed understory, Bluestone steps, drainage installation, outdoor TV, cultured stone veneer on foundation walls of house installation, outdoor TV, cultured stone veneer on foundation walls of house

Example of a trendy entryway design in New York with a glass front door

The goal of this landscape design and build project was to enhance a newly renovated modern residence in Cohasset, MA. It features thermal true blue bluestone pavers, beach stones, and large bluestone steps surrounded by a completely beach adapted and drought tolerant planting palette. This design is also on a steep hillside and incorporates a butterfly garden and New England native plants. Designed and built by Skyline Landscapes LLC. Hardscape Materials: Bluestone Pavers, Bluestone Steps, Beach Stone, Landscape Lighting, Irrigation Planting Palette: Butterfly Garden, Beach Grasses, Beach Roses, Low Maintenance, Drought Tollerant

Originally designed by one of the most notable landscape architects in town, this once impressive project had faltered in recent years. The pool and spa still functioned well, and the client wanted to keep it intact. In addition, they wanted to keep as much of the existing landscaping as possible. The surrounding decks, walls, and steps were fair game. At first glance, one might think that our changes were simple material changes. Upon closer inspection, however, one can see the subtle, yet transformative changes that come together to update this classic pool in a tasteful, timeless manner, and improve the flow and usability of the deck areas, while softening the feel of the massive hardscape. The subtle changes begin as soon as you walk out the back door of the house. The existing decking had a lot of what we call “tweeners”; areas that are overly generous walkways, yet not large enough to house furniture. The awkwardly small bluestone patio was expanded to accommodate a generous seating area, by pushing the step-down closer to the pool. Our talented stone mason carefully married the new bluestone into the existing, resulting in an imperceptible difference between the two. As you descend the new bluestone steps to the pool level, your bare feet will be thankful for the new smooth-finished limestone colored concrete, with a hand cut pattern carefully etched into its surface. The old red brick decking was so hot that the owners could not walk around the pool in bare feet. The brick coping was also replaced with an eased edge Pennsylvania Premier Stone which matches the new step treads throughout the project. Between the house and the pool, a large raised planter was reconfigured, giving additional space to the pool deck for a shaded lounge chair area. Across the pool, a bank of rather tall painted brick retaining walls were cut down, shortened, and moved. This lessened the visual impact of the walls, which were rather overwhelming in the space, as well as opening up a new seating area, nestled under the arms of the massive pecan at the back of the property. Rather than continuing solid decking around the entire pool, the area near these walls has been transformed to large stone stepper pads set in a sea of beautiful St. Augustine lawn. This creates a visually softened area that is still suited to setting tables and chairs when the guest list calls for additional seating. The spa area is quite possibly the most dramatic change on this project. Yet more raised planter walls divided this area into awkward spaces, unsuited to proper furniture placement. The planters were removed, new stone decks, once again expertly married into the existing, opening the area to house a large dining table and new built in bbq area. The spa itself was re-imagined with the bluestone coping, and painted brick veneer. The most impressive addition though is the new handmade glazed tiles that surround the existing cast stone water feature. This water feature was almost unnoticeable against the painted brick wall, but now the dramatic arch and pop of color draw the eye to this quaint little corner of the property.

The scale of these walls blends nicely with the home. Planting in this area must tolerate afternoon sun and heat. Once mature, these plantings will help to settle the home into the landscape. William Wright Photography

New patio and terrace. The Limestone walls around the fire pit act as a retaining wall and seat wall. The bluestone steps are a graceful transition from the patio to the lawn.

Joe Runde
Design ideas for a traditional water fountain landscape in Chicago.

Raised infinity edge spa lined in black glass tile with solid block bluestone entry step. Pool decking is entirely bluestone & pool plaster is gray. Pool area is enclosed with a low brick garden wall. Teak outdoor furniture is set on bluestone pads within lawn panels.