spaulding landscape architects, llc
Inspiration for a coastal backyard rectangular and stone pool house remodel in New York

Directional accent lighting at each of the columns simultaneously emblazons the brick details and illuminates the outdoor room. A wood burning fire pit centered on the patio provides ambiance and warmth as the temperatures dip on cool summer nights. Gus Cantavero Photography

Clay brick pavers were chosen and installed in a running bond pattern for the walkways. The front walk leads guests to the front door through a stunning perennial garden. The large circular design in the front walk creates a great focal point. A clay brick walk leads guests through a post and beam arbor into the backyard entertaining space. This space includes a post and beam pergola with three posts, circular seating bench and wood burning fire pit that creates an intimate space. Clay brick accents were incorporated in the grill island and large wood burning fireplace and columns. Fire features were integrated into the columns on each side of the fireplace and seat walls. Contractor/Installer: GoldGlo Landscapes LLC Product Manufacturer: Glen Grey Brick Project Designer: GoldGlo Landscapes LLC

The front of the house features an open porch, a common feature in the neighborhood. Stairs leading up to it are tucked behind one of a pair of brick walls. The brick was installed with raked (recessed) horizontal joints which soften the overall scale of the walls. The clerestory windows topping the taller of the brick walls bring light into the foyer and a large closet without sacrificing privacy. The living room windows feature a slight tint which provides a greater sense of privacy during the day without having to draw the drapes. An overhang lined on its underside in stained cedar leads to the entry door which again is hidden by one of the brick walls.

Example of a country deck design in San Francisco

Ipe hardwood deck and potting bench; Photo-Mark Edgar
Example of a water fountain deck design in San Diego

Designed using Trex Transcend decking in Spiced Rum – a warm, earthy umber featuring subtle shading and natural shade variations creating distinctive hardwood-like streaking and intense, tropical hues that will retain its lush looks for decades and Vintage Lantern – a deep-burnished bronze with Old World elegance. Additional Trex products featured include Trex Transcend railing, Trex Pergola, Trex Elevations and Trex Outdoor Lighting.

Inspiration for a cottage brick floor and red floor entryway remodel in Other with a white front door and beige walls

casual dining under a tigerwood ceiling on an ipe deck adjacent to a light limestone patio with an outdoor kitchen for a chef designed & built by austin outdoor design photo by ryann ford

AZEK Deck's Silver Oak has the aged look of teak with the rich personality of weathered wood. And, paired with white AZEK Premier Rail, it creates a warm and inviting space. All low maintenance, stain- and scratch-resistant AZEK Deck products carry a limited lifetime warranty and are designed to last beautifully. Available in 17 colors and several grain textures, AZEK Deck has a color to complement any housing exterior allowing you to personalize your backyard experience. Consider topping off your AZEK Deck with a pergola made of AZEK Trim to create a gorgeous and completely low maintenance outdoor space.

This large deck was built in Holmdel, NJ. The flooring is Ipe hardwood. The rail is Azek brand synthetic railing system. The pergola is clear cedar that has been primed and painted. The columns are 10" square Permacast brand. The high underside of the deck is covered with solid Ipe skirting. This blocks the view of the deck under-structure from people enjoying the lower paver patio. Low voltage lights were added to the rail posts, in the pergola and in the stair risers. These lights add a nice ambiance to the deck, as well as safety.

Ground view of deck. Outwardly visible structural elements are wrapped in pVC. Photo Credit: Johnna Harrison
Inspiration for a large timeless backyard second story outdoor kitchen deck remodel in DC Metro with a pergola

Huge traditional red three-story brick house exterior idea in New York with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Charming home featuring Tavern Hall brick with Federal White mortar.
Large farmhouse red two-story brick house exterior photo in Other with a shingle roof and a hip roof

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.

When it was time for a new hot tub, we changed out the old Trex decking to redwood. The redwood is so much more beautiful than the Trex especially over the long run. Along with the deck, we demolished the block columns and replaced them with red brick to compliment the new redwood railing and tempered glass wall

Staying true to the Arts & Crafts style of the neighborhood, this front porch addition relocated the front door and created an outdoor entertaining space. Austin Williams Photography www.facebook.com/awmassmediallc

arbors, trellis, pergolas, decking, custom wood structure, outdoor living space, outdoor seating, outdoor cook station
Example of a classic backyard deck design in Portland with a bbq area

Aerial picture of the redesigned pool area. The pool area and deck are meant to maximize the outdoor space as well as give an unencumbered view to the water, the main reason the clients purchased the house. Photo by Susan Sotera