Modern Style natural Pennsylvania Bluestone retaining walls.
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern front yard stone retaining wall landscape in Minneapolis.

Since the completion of the home our company has maintained this property. Originally built by a local builder as a speculation home, it was purchased by two busy professionals. Why is this important? Let's just say the clients are particular and like it when things aren't just so. Both have high level careers, travel often and expect their landscape to be pristine. Year after year our company rises to this challenge. When originally installed, the builder wanted larger plant material to provide a full and mature look. The continued growth provides a pruning challenge, especially when the client prefers a clean, neat and "compact" landscape. We continually monitor growth and hand prune accordingly, including yearly winter pruning. The backyard is particularly difficult due to the shade, moisture run-off from neighboring properties. The turf requires constant monitoring and adjustment to the irrigation system. The trees create a mess requiring clean up along with yearly power washing of the stone. While the challenges are many, the fine maintenance has led to happy clients and numerous referrals.

Dry stacked retaining walls are being used to terrace this front yard. We installed a paver front walkway as well through the new shade tolerant landscape plantings.

The first goal for this client in Chatham was to give them a front walk and entrance that was beautiful and grande. We decided to use natural blue bluestone tiles of random sizes. We integrated a custom cut 6" x 9" bluestone border and ran it continuous throughout. Our second goal was to give them walking access from their driveway to their front door. Because their driveway was considerably lower than the front of their home, we needed to cut in a set of steps through their driveway retaining wall, include a number of turns and bridge the walkways with multiple landings. While doing this, we wanted to keep continuity within the building products of choice. We used real stone veneer to side all walls and stair risers to match what was already on the house. We used 2" thick bluestone caps for all stair treads and retaining wall caps. We installed the matching real stone veneer to the face and sides of the retaining wall. All of the bluestone caps were custom cut to seamlessly round all turns. We are very proud of this finished product. We are also very proud to have had the opportunity to work for this family. What amazing people. #GreatWorkForGreatPeople As a side note regarding this phase - throughout the construction, numerous local builders stopped at our job to take pictures of our work. #UltimateCompliment #PrimeIsInTheLead

We replaced the brick with a Tuscan-colored stacked stone and added a wood mantel; the television was built-in to the stacked stone and framed out for a custom look. This created an updated design scheme for the room and a focal point. We also removed an entry wall on the east side of the home, and a wet bar near the back of the living area. This had an immediate impact on the brightness of the room and allowed for more natural light and a more open, airy feel, as well as increased square footage of the space. We followed up by updating the paint color to lighten the room, while also creating a natural flow into the remaining rooms of this first-floor, open floor plan. After removing the brick underneath the shelving units, we added a bench storage unit and closed cabinetry for storage. The back walls were finalized with a white shiplap wall treatment to brighten the space and wood shelving for accessories. On the left side of the fireplace, we added a single floating wood shelf to highlight and display the sword. The popcorn ceiling was scraped and replaced with a cleaner look, and the wood beams were stained to match the new mantle and floating shelves. The updated ceiling and beams created another dramatic focal point in the room, drawing the eye upward, and creating an open, spacious feel to the room. The room was finalized by removing the existing ceiling fan and replacing it with a rustic, two-toned, four-light chandelier in a distressed weathered oak finish on an iron metal frame. Photo Credit: Nina Leone Photography

dry stack stone wall with a gentle curve.
Transitional one-story stone exterior home idea in Wilmington

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

Small transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor dry bar photo in St Louis with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, gray backsplash and brown countertops

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

In 2014, we were approached by a couple to achieve a dream space within their existing home. They wanted to expand their existing bar, wine, and cigar storage into a new one-of-a-kind room. Proud of their Italian heritage, they also wanted to bring an “old-world” feel into this project to be reminded of the unique character they experienced in Italian cellars. The dramatic tone of the space revolves around the signature piece of the project; a custom milled stone spiral stair that provides access from the first floor to the entry of the room. This stair tower features stone walls, custom iron handrails and spindles, and dry-laid milled stone treads and riser blocks. Once down the staircase, the entry to the cellar is through a French door assembly. The interior of the room is clad with stone veneer on the walls and a brick barrel vault ceiling. The natural stone and brick color bring in the cellar feel the client was looking for, while the rustic alder beams, flooring, and cabinetry help provide warmth. The entry door sequence is repeated along both walls in the room to provide rhythm in each ceiling barrel vault. These French doors also act as wine and cigar storage. To allow for ample cigar storage, a fully custom walk-in humidor was designed opposite the entry doors. The room is controlled by a fully concealed, state-of-the-art HVAC smoke eater system that allows for cigar enjoyment without any odor.

Inspiration for a transitional backyard patio remodel in San Diego with a fire pit and a roof extension

As seen on DIY Network’s “The Ultimate Crash”, designer Misha of Design by Misha chose Eldorado Stone’s Sanibel CoastalReef to add a rustic yet refined touch to the space, complimenting the raw steel beams and glass catwalk structure. “This project was meant to stand out and be striking while maintaining a sense of calm. The natural look of the CoastalReef conjured thoughts of an old wine cave in Tuscany but with a modern twist,” says Misha. Floor to ceiling use of Eldorado Stone provides interest to the focal wall of the fireplace, glass catwalk, and wine storage. Eldorado Stone Profile Featured: Sanibel Coastal Reef installed with a Dry-Stack grout technique Designer: Design by Misha Website: www.designbymisha.com Phone: (530) 867-0600 Contact Design by Misha Houzz Portfolio: Design by Misha Facebook: Design by Misha Photography: Rich Baum Website: www.richbaum.com Phone: (916) 296-5778 Contact Rich Baum Houzz Portfolio: Rich Baum Builder: Doug Tolson Construction Website: www.dougtolsonconstruction.com Phone: (916) 343-2240 Contact Doug Tolson Construction Facebook: Doug Tolson Construction

Pauline Hartogh of Wetherly’s Interiors was endowed with the task to create a transitional home for a family of four that melded modern luxury with functionality. She divided the home into three residential wings, all of which are structured in clean, contemporary lines. The heart of the home was created by connecting the indoors to the outdoors using floor-to-ceiling glass, which set an open focus for easy entertainment. The landscape further enhanced the clients’ desire to embrace the indoor/outdoor lifestyle that Florida’s climate offers. Amid warm, tropical landscaping, a Chartes-inspired stone labyrinth provides beauty while also providing a place for meditation and relaxation. An exceptional home calls for exceptional products, and when researching which stone to use, Hartogh went straight for Eldorado Stone. “I feel strongly that the use of Eldorado Stone’s products greatly enriched two of the areas in this project which won design awards,” Hartogh explained. The joints are seamless and the end result is always exactly what she aimed for. Hartogh chose Dry Creek Stacked Stone for the entire exterior, including patio walls and pillars, because not only looks current but also allows her the flexibility to create any design. The use of this product not only helped establish the overall tone for the home but it also allowed for architectural details, which was validated by winning the American Society of Interior Design Award 2013 – Outdoor Living, Single Family Home. Accolades: American Society of Interior Design Award 2013 – Bathroom Design, Transitional American Society of Interior Design Award 2013 – Single Residential Space, Contemporary American Society of Interior Design Award 2013 – Outdoor Living, Single Family Home Eldorado Stone Profile Featured: Exterior Façade – Dry Creek Stacked Stone Eldorado Stone Profile Featured: Master Bathroom – Pearl White CoastalReef Interior Design: Pauline Hartogh, Wetherlys Interiors Website: www.wetherlysinteriors.com Phone: (561) 691-4707 Architecture: Henry Franky, Franky & Associates Architect, Inc. Website: www.frankyarchitect.com Phone: (561) 338-3309 Home Builder: Gary Hartogh, Couture Homes Website: www.couture-homes.com Phone: (561) 776-0511 Photographer: David Durbak Website: www.durbak.com Phone: (561) 271.0706

Oyster - Cut Coarse Stone Cut Coarse Stone is reminiscent of a saw-cut Turkish Limestone. The highly textural and yet contemporary linear-style installs with a clean, dry-stack application. This stone is the perfect scale for an efficient installation, appealing to both commercial and residential exteriors and interiors. The stones include three different heights of 3″, 6″ and 9″ and various lengths from 12″ to 24″. The muted color palette is indicative of natural limestone. Get a Sample of Cut Coarse Stone: https://shop.eldoradostone.com/products/cut-coarse-stone-sample

Back When Photography
Small farmhouse u-shaped dark wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in Salt Lake City with yellow cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, white appliances, no island, a drop-in sink and shaker cabinets

Summary As far as unique outdoor living spaces go, this entire backyard makeover at Manor Country Club in Rockville, Maryland has the bases covered. A flagstone patio, AZEK-covered deck, cedar pergola, and hot tub were added to make this Montgomery County home stand out. The basement was also renovated and given a stone fireplace. Situated on Manor's 18th tee box, the patio and pavilion feature open views, low-maintenance plantings, and all of the amenities one needs for entertaining. The integrated hot tub is integrated into the AZEK decking for easy and safe access. We also paved the driveway and laid stone for the front path. Other features Hot tub that is half under the awning and half exposed to the sky for excellent stargazing Integrated porch lighting Stone flower boxes built into the multi-tiered patio Materials AZEK Terra Collection decking, Tahoe AZEK Harvest Collection decking, slate gray Pennsylvania flagstone patio blocks Cedar wood Pressure-treated wood Photos by Venturaphoto

The first goal for this client in Chatham was to give them a front walk and entrance that was beautiful and grande. We decided to use natural blue bluestone tiles of random sizes. We integrated a custom cut 6" x 9" bluestone border and ran it continuous throughout. Our second goal was to give them walking access from their driveway to their front door. Because their driveway was considerably lower than the front of their home, we needed to cut in a set of steps through their driveway retaining wall, include a number of turns and bridge the walkways with multiple landings. While doing this, we wanted to keep continuity within the building products of choice. We used real stone veneer to side all walls and stair risers to match what was already on the house. We used 2" thick bluestone caps for all stair treads and retaining wall caps. We installed the matching real stone veneer to the face and sides of the retaining wall. All of the bluestone caps were custom cut to seamlessly round all turns. We are very proud of this finished product. We are also very proud to have had the opportunity to work for this family. What amazing people. #GreatWorkForGreatPeople As a side note regarding this phase - throughout the construction, numerous local builders stopped at our job to take pictures of our work. #UltimateCompliment #PrimeIsInTheLead

A dry stack limestone wall creates a threshold with a bluestone path connecting the street with the entry terrace.
Photo of a transitional front yard landscaping in Other.

A perfect addition to your outdoor living is a seating wall surrounding a firepit. Cambridge Maytrx wall, Pyzique Fire Pit, Round table Pavers. Installed by Natural Green Landsacpe & Design in Lincoln, RI