Decomposed Granite Pathway
This is an example of a mid-sized rustic shade backyard landscaping in Los Angeles with a pergola.

Entrance to the back yard showing the reconfigured porch, bluestone patio with sitting walls, and custom fireplace.
Mountain style patio photo in Boston

A monstrous change from 1995, the landscape is now a riot of color with perennials and container plantings complementing the boxwood hedge. A bluestone entry and new limestone steps highlight the front makeover.

Boulder steppers and dry laid irregular bluestone pavers form a walkway that leads you to the rear yard with an inviting gate and arbor with an Asian flare.

All photos by Linda Oyama Bryan. Home restoration by Von Dreele-Freerksen Construction
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional front yard stone garden path in Chicago.

All Photos and Landscape Design by Deborah Cerbone Associates, Inc.
Elegant patio photo in New York with a fire pit

The north side yard is less actively used, but it does have a very inviting quality to it. The double gates allow a piece of equipment to access the back for heavy work. The same irregular bluestone is the pathway. Huge aqua blue boulders were placed at the corner of the house

These clients came to my office looking for an architect who could design their "empty nest" home that would be the focus of their soon to be extended family. A place where the kids and grand kids would want to hang out: with a pool, open family room/ kitchen, garden; but also one-story so there wouldn't be any unnecessary stairs to climb. They wanted the design to feel like "old Pasadena" with the coziness and attention to detail that the era embraced. My sensibilities led me to recall the wonderful classic mansions of San Marino, so I designed a manor house clad in trim Bluestone with a steep French slate roof and clean white entry, eave and dormer moldings that would blend organically with the future hardscape plan and thoughtfully landscaped grounds. The site was a deep, flat lot that had been half of the old Joan Crawford estate; the part that had an abandoned swimming pool and small cabana. I envisioned a pavilion filled with natural light set in a beautifully planted park with garden views from all sides. Having a one-story house allowed for tall and interesting shaped ceilings that carved into the sheer angles of the roof. The most private area of the house would be the central loggia with skylights ensconced in a deep woodwork lattice grid and would be reminiscent of the outdoor “Salas” found in early Californian homes. The family would soon gather there and enjoy warm afternoons and the wonderfully cool evening hours together. Working with interior designer Jeffrey Hitchcock, we designed an open family room/kitchen with high dark wood beamed ceilings, dormer windows for daylight, custom raised panel cabinetry, granite counters and a textured glass tile splash. Natural light and gentle breezes flow through the many French doors and windows located to accommodate not only the garden views, but the prevailing sun and wind as well. The graceful living room features a dramatic vaulted white painted wood ceiling and grand fireplace flanked by generous double hung French windows and elegant drapery. A deeply cased opening draws one into the wainscot paneled dining room that is highlighted by hand painted scenic wallpaper and a barrel vaulted ceiling. The walnut paneled library opens up to reveal the waterfall feature in the back garden. Equally picturesque and restful is the view from the rotunda in the master bedroom suite. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock Enterprises Contractor: Synergy General Contractors, Inc. Landscape Design: LZ Design Group, Inc. Photography: Laura Hull

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional shade front yard stone landscaping in Other.

Viewed from above, the irregular bluestone creates a courtyard effect, surrounded by the Zen pebble garden. Westhauser Photography
Photo of a mid-sized mid-century modern drought-tolerant and full sun courtyard stone garden path in Milwaukee.

Laura Hull Photography
Example of a classic patio design in Los Angeles with a pergola

Design ideas for a traditional shade side yard landscaping in Orange County.

New BBQ and bar area. The outdoor kitchen nestles into the hillside and doubles as a retaining wall for the slope. Long Island Boulders continue the slope retention and tie into the rest of the site's materials. We extended the existing brick wall in front of the family room to support the custom arc-shaped bluestone bar. Photo by Susan Sotera

All photos by Linda Oyama Bryan. Home restoration by Von Dreele-Freerksen Construction
Mid-sized arts and crafts backyard stone patio kitchen photo in Chicago with a pergola

Irregular bluestone path. Picture taken before seed lawn filled joints.
Example of a mid-sized beach style kids' room design in New York

Landscape Architect: Stephen Prassas, RLA; Photography: Linda Oyama Bryan
Design ideas for a small asian backyard stone landscaping in Chicago.

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

A rustic walkway of irregular bluestone and a garden space heavily dependant upon texture: the robust foliage of Hosta and the feathery fronds of Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), contrast well with the delicacy of the Variegated Ribbon Grass (Phalaris arundinacea var. picta) across the path. A lot of interest can be generated within a small plant palette.

"BEST OF HOUZZ 2018, SHED" This sunny potting shed features bluestone floors, walls sheathed in white pine and Shaker pegs for hanging gardening tools. Robert Benson Photography