Serpentine dry stacked granite walls celebrate regional materials while transforming this sloping yard into a multilevel extension of home. It features a secluded fire pit that looks out over a striking view of the stormwater pond below and mountains in the distance, activated by the occasional glimpse of local wildlife populations including bald eagles and deer. Two cedar pergolas act as an outdoor extension of home and provide afternoon shade both inside the house and out. Photography: Louie Jeon Photography

Succulents, grasses and low-water shrubs with vivid foliage give this coastal garden a rich, textured look with minimal maintenance. Exterior colors and furniture selection by Julie McMahon. Photos by Daniel Bosler

Architect:Steve Hinderberger of Hindesign
Example of a classic l-shaped kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops

Credit: Ron Rosenzweig
Kitchen - mid-sized coastal u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Miami with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, blue backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, an island and stainless steel appliances

The newly remodeled kitchen includes a large island for gathering and entertaining. The space also included multiple finishes and textures, including subway tile, sueded perimeter countertops and white Alaskan island countertop.

Ward Jewell, AIA was asked to design a comfortable one-story stone and wood pool house that was "barn-like" in keeping with the owner’s gentleman farmer concept. Thus, Mr. Jewell was inspired to create an elegant New England Stone Farm House designed to provide an exceptional environment for them to live, entertain, cook and swim in the large reflection lap pool. Mr. Jewell envisioned a dramatic vaulted great room with hand selected 200 year old reclaimed wood beams and 10 foot tall pocketing French doors that would connect the house to a pool, deck areas, loggia and lush garden spaces, thus bringing the outdoors in. A large cupola “lantern clerestory” in the main vaulted ceiling casts a natural warm light over the graceful room below. The rustic walk-in stone fireplace provides a central focal point for the inviting living room lounge. Important to the functionality of the pool house are a chef’s working farm kitchen with open cabinetry, free-standing stove and a soapstone topped central island with bar height seating. Grey washed barn doors glide open to reveal a vaulted and beamed quilting room with full bath and a vaulted and beamed library/guest room with full bath that bookend the main space. The private garden expanded and evolved over time. After purchasing two adjacent lots, the owners decided to redesign the garden and unify it by eliminating the tennis court, relocating the pool and building an inspired "barn". The concept behind the garden’s new design came from Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello with its wandering paths, orchards, and experimental vegetable garden. As a result this small organic farm, was born. Today the farm produces more than fifty varieties of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers; many of which are rare and hard to find locally. The farm also grows a wide variety of fruits including plums, pluots, nectarines, apricots, apples, figs, peaches, guavas, avocados (Haas, Fuerte and Reed), olives, pomegranates, persimmons, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and ten different types of citrus. The remaining areas consist of drought-tolerant sweeps of rosemary, lavender, rockrose, and sage all of which attract butterflies and dueling hummingbirds. Photo Credit: Laura Hull Photography. Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock. Landscape Design: Laurie Lewis Design. General Contractor: Martin Perry Premier General Contractors

Another view of the upper patio with Sonoma fieldstone and blue stone circular bench that serves as a retaining wall and provides ample seating for visitors. The majestic oak tree is a primary focal point in this setting and frames the distance hillsides and a bay view. Decomposed granite patio and pathways. Design and Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design http://www.digyourgarden.com

Part of a hopseed privacy hedge planting that extends across the front yard in a project in Glendale, CA. The hedge plants will grow taller and fill in. There's also mulch, drip irrigation, sod, DG--decomposed granite & drought-tolerant plants.

Amy Williams Photo
Kitchen - mid-sized transitional l-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor kitchen idea in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Design ideas for a transitional drought-tolerant backyard decomposed granite and wood fence retaining wall landscape in San Francisco.

A plain rectangular-shaped back yard in Fairfax, CA was transformed by including curvaceous pathway of decomposed granite (DG) patios and garden beds. The plant palette includes a variety of colorful drought-tolerant plants that offer both flower and leaf colors and textures throughout every season. Photo and Design ©Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Rob Karosis
Elegant u-shaped kitchen photo in New York with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, beige cabinets, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

A flagstone and decomposed granite (DG) walkway is bordered by different colors and sizes of rocks. There's also an area with DG, a small boulder, palms and drought-resistant plants.

Use stabilized decomposed granite (DG), succulents, drought-tolerant plants & large rocks or small boulders for a desert landscape look.
Design ideas for a transitional landscaping in Los Angeles.

This front garden echoes the classic lines and Mediterranean feel of the home’s architecture. A thirsty lawn was replaced with vibrant aloes, agaves, and low water shrubs. An area of decomposed granite doubles as an informal play court. Photo by Daniel Bosler

large open kitchen with stainless steel appliances, stained wood cabinets, granite countertops with glass tile backsplash and large format tile floor. large granite countertop island with seating.

Rock outcroppings make a striking background for new lounge areas in this compact Los Angeles hillside garden. Working with the attributes of the site, we added native plants to drape over the stone, and converted hollowed stone planters into a firepit and water feature. New built-in seating and a cozy hammock complete the relaxing space, and dramatic lighting makes it come alive at night. Photo by Martin Cox Photography.

Patrick Barta Photography
Eat-in kitchen - large traditional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and granite countertops

Photo by Linda Oyama Bryan
Patio - small transitional backyard decomposed granite patio idea in Chicago with no cover