This Upper West Side, NYC rooftop terrace features wood planter boxes and a built-in bench on top of a bluestone patio. The bench features built-in lighting. Plantings include boxwoods, a red Japanese weeping maple, maiden grasses, and a hydrangea. See more of our projects at www.amberfreda.com.

This beautiful, all-cedar privacy fence warmly welcomes visitors and keeps the eyes looking around the yard. The arbor extends over the patio to continue the green-black trim to better frame the white house. The HVAC units have been fenced in with a visual screen that lets airflow through - and the panels are removable for maintenance access. We also replaced the old planter boxes on the front windows.

The City Salad Box is an all cedar table style planter. 4' x 2' with drainage holes and a storage shelf. It is perfect for growing vegetables and flowers on a balcony or small patio.

Two deep planter boxes will make a fine home for organic vegetables. Photo by Steve Masley
Example of a classic deck design in San Francisco

Patrick & Topaze McCaffery - Taproot Garden Design & Fine Gardening "The air conditioning unit is hidden by beautiful Ipe wood fencing. The Ipe wood raised planter box produces plenty of peppers and herbs for the family."

This gorgeous backyard project covered every square inch of this customer’s backyard and was nestled in to a tight backyard access without disturbing the existing trees or golf course. The customer had very contemporary and modern tastes and wanted that reflected in their pool and backyard design. A stunning 1” blue glass tiled raised planter box* with 5 water features gracefully separates this geometrically perfect Pebble Sheen swimming pool from the golf course it overlooks and green low-maintenance Southwest plants & floral separate the view. A dam wall separates the roomy therapeutic in-ground semi-circle spa from the pool area. The side of the pool closest to the home is a straight parallel line, with the opposing side geometrically rounded with both the raised pattern pavers and the wrought iron fence matching patterns precisely. The ( wireless EZ Touch remote operated ) pool equipment is on the side of the home allowing spacious deck space for those who enjoy this contemporary backyard. Of note, the same 1” glass tiles from the raised planter were used throughout the home’s interior to integrate outdoor & indoor elements.

Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic full sun backyard concrete paver retaining wall landscape in San Francisco.

This beautiful, all-cedar privacy fence warmly welcomes visitors and keeps the eyes looking around the yard. The arbor extends over the patio to continue the green-black trim to better frame the white house. The HVAC units have been fenced in with a visual screen that lets airflow through - and the panels are removable for maintenance access. We also replaced the old planter boxes on the front windows.

Design ideas for a mid-sized rustic full sun backyard concrete paver retaining wall landscape in San Francisco.

NR Photography
Design ideas for a farmhouse landscaping in Portland.

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 garden 3 weeks after planting, on a foggy day. Photo by Steve Masley
Inspiration for a timeless deck container garden remodel in San Francisco

This custom roof deck in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood features lightweight aluminum decking, ipe planters, an ipe and metal pergola, and ipe benches with built-in storage under the seats. Few woods can match the natural beauty of ipe (pronounced ee-pey), a hardwood with a 30-year life expectancy. These pictures were taken in early spring, before the leaves have filled out on the trees. Plantings include coralbark maples, hornbeams, pink cherry trees, crape myrtles, and feather grasses. The planters include LED up-lighting and automated drip irrigation lines. Read more about our projects on my blog, www.amberfreda.com.

This pool and spa is built in an affluent neighborhood with many new homes that are traditional in design but have modern, clean details. Similar to the homes, this pool takes a traditional pool and gives it a clean, modern twist. The site proved to be perfect for a long lap pool that the client desired with plenty of room for a separate spa. The two bodies of water, though separate, are visually linked together by a custom limestone raised water feature wall with 10 custom Bobe water scuppers. Quality workmanship as required throughout the entire build to ensure the automatic pool cover would remain square the entire 50 foot length of the pool. Features of this pool and environment that enhance the aesthetic appeal of this project include: -Glass waterline tile -Glass seat and bench tile -Glass tile swim lane marking on pool floor -Custom limestone coping and deck -PebbleTec pool finish -Synthetic Turf Lawn This outdoor environment cohesively brings the clean & modern finishes of the home seamlessly to the outdoors to a pool and spa for play, exercise and relaxation. Photography: Daniel Driensky

Amy Bartlam
Inspiration for a large timeless brick front porch remodel in Los Angeles with a roof extension

This Cobble Hill, Brooklyn terrace features custom ipe planter boxes filled with bamboo and backed by a privacy screen of bamboo roll fencing. The furniture is the wood slat sectional from West Elm. All of the planters contain drip irrigation and automated low-voltage lighting. Read more about our projects on my blog, www.amberfreda.com.

A front yard with 3 large stained wood planter boxes for a vegetable garden. Surrounded by pebbles with a concrete paver walkway. And two drought-tolerant beds with mulch.

Inspiration for a large modern drought-tolerant and partial sun front yard gravel retaining wall landscape in Austin.

Deck - large contemporary rooftop deck idea in Chicago with a pergola