Sheltered from strong southerly winds, the glass breezeway opens to embrace the working fields to the south. The paver patio is bound by a stone wall and arbor and was carefully sited around and under a 50 year old ornamental cherry. This farmstead is located in the Northwest corner of Washington State. Photos by Ian Gleadle

William Ripley, APLD The arbor is stained a traditional color for this formal space which keeps the garden sophisticated and tailored while accentuating the other shades of green in the plants. This color looks black, but is actually considered "Charleston Green." Here's a little info I found on the color, " http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/classic-paint-colors-00417000077685/page5.html"

Living Space Landscapes. Shade garden replacing turf area.
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard stone garden path in Minneapolis.

In keeping with the estate’s traditional English Tudor style 10,000 sq. ft. of gardens were designed. The English Gardens are characterized by regular, geometric planting patterns and pathways, with antique decorative accessories heightening their old-world feel. Special nooks and hideaways, coupled with the sound of cascading water in fountains, create a serene environment, while delicate lighting in planter boxes makes the garden perfect for early evening strolls.

This garden path was created next to the new master bedroom addition we designed as part of the Orr Residence renovation. The curving limestone paver path is defined by the plantings. RDM and the client selected plantings that are very happy in the shade as this part of the yard gets very little direct sunlight. Check out the rest of the Orr Residence photos as this project was all about outdoor living! This photo was one of the most popular "Design" images on Houzz in 2012 - http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1435436/thumbs/pt=fdc1686efe3dfb19657036963f01ae47/Houzz--Best-of-Remodeling-2012---Landscapes - and added to over 11,000 Ideabooks

Garden Sun Room Aurbach Mansion: This room was restored for a designer show house. We had hand painted murals done for the walls by William "Bill" Riley (rileycreative1@mac.com). They depict walking paths in a wondrous sculpture garden with flowers lining your every step. The champagne metallic molding was added at the top to increase the feeling of intimacy. The Ralph Lauren midnight blue ceiling helped to create a cozy space day or night. There are verde marble floors throughout. The ottoman is Mackenzie Childs. Antique pillows from The Martin Group. Photography: Robert Benson Photography, Hartford, Ct.

Photo by Samantha Robison
Small transitional backyard stone patio photo in Other with a pergola

The star at the center of this veggie garden is the perfect place for the dwarf lemon tree. The six pointed star (just like the Great Seal of the United States) is ideal for the strawberries to cascade over the edges. The star is 6' with 3' clearance around the star so the space is wide enough to comfortably access the veggie beds from all sides. Photo Credit: Mark Pinkerton

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

All photos by Linda Oyama Bryan. Home restoration by Von Dreele-Freerksen Construction
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional shade backyard stone garden path in Chicago.

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped porcelain tile utility room design in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and white walls

Irregular bluestone stepper path and woodland shade garden.
Inspiration for a traditional shade stone landscaping in Boston.

" The plantings are lush, but there's still a great view to check to see if Mom will be coming out to play soon. I'm a very good dog so my designer didn't have to worry about me digging up anything but she was mindful to choose plants along the edge of paths that could handle a little trampling in case I decided to take a shortcut. " ... Bailey the dog Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

Daniel Bosler Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary drought-tolerant backyard concrete paver garden path in Los Angeles.

Woodland Garden: A curvaceous pea gravel path directs the visitor through the woodland garden located at the back and back side of the house. It is planted with drifts of Erie and Chindo Viburnumns, Oak leaf Hyrangeas, Astilbe, Ferns, Hostas.A row of hollies was added to block the view to the son's home. Photo credit: ROGER FOLEY

A pea gravel garden path, garden fountain, perennial and shrub plantings.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional partial sun front yard gravel garden path in New York.

This garden path is an entry to the shade garden. The stepping stone walkway is planted with moss. The garden path meanders through the canopy of the shade garden. The garden and landscape design is in Connecticut backyard by Matthew Giampietro of Waterfalls Fountains & Gardens Inc. designed and installed the secret garden and the stepping stone walkways.

The inviting fire draws you through the garden. Surrounds Inc.
Photo of a large traditional backyard stone landscaping in DC Metro with a fireplace.

GLD
Inspiration for an asian landscaping in San Francisco.