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.

Inspiration for a transitional exterior home remodel in Minneapolis

Designed with an open floor plan and layered outdoor spaces, the Onaway is a perfect cottage for narrow lakefront lots. The exterior features elements from both the Shingle and Craftsman architectural movements, creating a warm cottage feel. An open main level skillfully disguises this narrow home by using furniture arrangements and low built-ins to define each spaces’ perimeter. Every room has a view to each other as well as a view of the lake. The cottage feel of this home’s exterior is carried inside with a neutral, crisp white, and blue nautical themed palette. The kitchen features natural wood cabinetry and a long island capped by a pub height table with chairs. Above the garage, and separate from the main house, is a series of spaces for plenty of guests to spend the night. The symmetrical bunk room features custom staircases to the top bunks with drawers built in. The best views of the lakefront are found on the master bedrooms private deck, to the rear of the main house. The open floor plan continues downstairs with two large gathering spaces opening up to an outdoor covered patio complete with custom grill pit.

This pool idea was inspired by our Industria Smooth paver, a modern paver available in over 50 scale and color combinations, Industria is a popular choice amongst architects designing urban spaces. These concrete pavers are perfect for applications such as public parks, plazas, parking lots, museums and more. Industria Smooth paver has a sleek and smooth texture making it the perfect choice for any modern style project.

A visually sumptuous idea book, showcasing an eclectic array of interior design possibilities using salvaged goods. Following up on her celebrated first Salvage Secrets book, which Fine Homebuilding called “An invaluable first step in the salvage-for-design journey,” here salvage design guru Joanne Palmisano takes readers further, exploring a wealth of smaller-scale interior design and decor concepts. Bottle caps turned into a kitchen backsplash, old bed springs reinvented as candle holders, and a recycled shipping container-turned-guesthouse are just a few examples of the innovative repurposing of second-hand items that readers will discover. From retro and modern to classic, “cottage,” and urban chic, Palmisano takes readers on a sumptuous visual journey featuring unique salvage ideas in an eclectic array of styles, for every room in the house—kitchens and dining rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms, living rooms and dens, and entryways and outdoor areas. The journey continues with a sampling of cutting-edge retail spaces, hotels, cafes, and boutiques across the country that incorporate salvage into their designs, such as Industrie Denim in San Francisco, Stowe Mountain Lodge in Stowe, Vermont, and Rejuvenation in Portland. Profiles of thirteen “salvage success stories” are also included, showcasing the imaginative designs of creative homeowners. And lastly, fourteen easy, do-it-yourself projects are included at the back of the book (with step-by-step instructions), not to mention a comprehensive “Where to Find Salvage” resource section. Packed with over 350 color photos, Salvage Secrets Design & Decor offers a trove of salvage ideas to inspire, proving that you need look no further than your local rebuild center, architectural salvage shop, or flea market to transform your living space. Susan Teare Photography Book: Salvage Secrets Design & Décor Kitchen Design: Jane Coslick

Designed and built by Land Art Design, Inc.
Small trendy backyard gravel patio photo in DC Metro with no cover

Manufacturer: Belgard | Style: Dublin Cobble & Mega Arbel 60mm | Color: Elk Mountain | Pattern: Random Ashlar
Large trendy backyard concrete paver patio photo in San Diego with a fire pit and no cover

A close-up of the natural stone staircase with John Creech Sedum growing along the edges. Dining space and the grill can be seen on the upper level, left of the staircase. On the right side of the staircase a gas fire pit is also convenient to the back door.

This walkway idea was inspired by our Borealis slab, the look of hardwood flooring available outdoors with this wood look-a-like patio slab made of concrete. These patio stones are being called trompe-l’oeils by industry professionals; it will have you guessing whether it’s hardwood or concrete. Borealis looks and feels like wood planks, is offered in three alluring colors and most importantly, it's maintenance-free. That means no deck staining, wood-treating or wood-rotting, ever. Whether it’s your poolside, front porch, backyard deck, or patio, Borealis brings the appealing aesthetics of natural wood to your backyard in a weather-proof, maintenance-free way.

Set within a beautiful city neighborhood off West River Road, this 1940’s cottage was completely updated, remodeled and added to, resulting in a “new house” for the enjoyment of its long-term owners, who plans to remain in the home indefinitely. Each room in the house was restored and refreshed and new spaces were added including kitchen, family room, mudroom, guest bedroom and studio. A new detached garage was sited to provide a screen from the alley and to create a courtyard for a more private backyard. Careful consideration was given to the streetscape and neighboring houses on both the front and back elevations to assure that massing, new materials and exterior details complemented the existing house, street and neighborhood. Finally a new covered porch was added to protect from the elements and present a more welcoming entry from the street. Construction by Flynn Construction, Inc. Landscape Architecture by Tupper and Associates Interior Design by InUnison Design Photographs by Troy Thies

Farmhouse meets coastal in this serene open concept living room. White oak flooring, natural linen sofas, and camel leather and a perfect blend for this contemporary design. The open concept design offers the ultimate entertaining space with nanawalls that open up to the backyard patio. The double height ceiling called for a dramatic statement with the custom built trellis and oversized rattan pendants.

This transformation turned this Florida backyard into an outdoor oasis.
Pool house - huge traditional backyard stone and rectangular aboveground pool house idea in Jacksonville

Example of a small danish galley cork floor kitchen design in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

64 sq./ft. of usable space, the 8x Gable cottages have plenty of room for both his and her needs. When sheltering a heavy tractor take into consideration the floor system, and the door height clearance. It sometimes works best to eliminate the floor or beef up the floor framing by requesting 16” on center joists and 3/4” plywood flooring. The door clearance should allow the height of the roll bar to clear.

Distinct and Custom are words that come to mind to describe this impressive landscape that has been custom built and developed over 3 phases of construction in the past 7 years. With very distinct taste the homeowners valued the finest details in their yard and wanted to ensure that the workmanship in the landscape matched their exquisite home. Custom Mahogany fencing and mahogany details on the outdoor fireplace as well as the outdoor kitchen warm this backyard retreat. With a busy lifestyle, low maintenance was a must for this family. But the low maintenance nature of the yard must never be at the expense of warmth and comfort in the design. This yard continues to develop and year after year we are excited to add to the elegant work. Photo Credit: Jamen Rhodes

This growing family in Queen Anne wanted to transform their one-car garage into a backyard cottage/DADU. The intention was to have family and friends stay over regularly, along with a separate space for them to retreat to while they both work from home. Eventually, this space may turn into an Airbnb, but for now, they are enjoying it as a home-away-from-home. Originally used as a woodshop, we moved their machinery into a pre-built structure and started from the ground up to transform this garage into a backyard oasis. Because it’s a DADU, this involved back-and-forth with the city to ensure it was permitted for the Queen Anne area. After discussing the parameters, the first thing we created during the design phase was a 3D plan that included a parking space in the alley and a gated door that invites you into the unit. After the plans were approved by our clients, we replaced the garage door with a giant sun-filled window, added built-in cabinetry across the walls for storage, and used high-quality, cool-toned materials throughout the kitchen and bathroom to match their aesthetic. To create a feeling of openness, we added a mirrored backsplash to the kitchen. Other hidden features include hiding the electrical within cabinetry (located behind the door) to give it a seamless and inviting look.

This growing family in Queen Anne wanted to transform their one-car garage into a backyard cottage/DADU. The intention was to have family and friends stay over regularly, along with a separate space for them to retreat to while they both work from home. Eventually, this space may turn into an Airbnb, but for now, they are enjoying it as a home-away-from-home. Originally used as a woodshop, we moved their machinery into a pre-built structure and started from the ground up to transform this garage into a backyard oasis. Because it’s a DADU, this involved back-and-forth with the city to ensure it was permitted for the Queen Anne area. After discussing the parameters, the first thing we created during the design phase was a 3D plan that included a parking space in the alley and a gated door that invites you into the unit. After the plans were approved by our clients, we replaced the garage door with a giant sun-filled window, added built-in cabinetry across the walls for storage, and used high-quality, cool-toned materials throughout the kitchen and bathroom to match their aesthetic. To create a feeling of openness, we added a mirrored backsplash to the kitchen. Other hidden features include hiding the electrical within cabinetry (located behind the door) to give it a seamless and inviting look.

This growing family in Queen Anne wanted to transform their one-car garage into a backyard cottage/DADU. The intention was to have family and friends stay over regularly, along with a separate space for them to retreat to while they both work from home. Eventually, this space may turn into an Airbnb, but for now, they are enjoying it as a home-away-from-home. Originally used as a woodshop, we moved their machinery into a pre-built structure and started from the ground up to transform this garage into a backyard oasis. Because it’s a DADU, this involved back-and-forth with the city to ensure it was permitted for the Queen Anne area. After discussing the parameters, the first thing we created during the design phase was a 3D plan that included a parking space in the alley and a gated door that invites you into the unit. After the plans were approved by our clients, we replaced the garage door with a giant sun-filled window, added built-in cabinetry across the walls for storage, and used high-quality, cool-toned materials throughout the kitchen and bathroom to match their aesthetic. To create a feeling of openness, we added a mirrored backsplash to the kitchen. Other hidden features include hiding the electrical within cabinetry (located behind the door) to give it a seamless and inviting look.

This growing family in Queen Anne wanted to transform their one-car garage into a backyard cottage/DADU. The intention was to have family and friends stay over regularly, along with a separate space for them to retreat to while they both work from home. Eventually, this space may turn into an Airbnb, but for now, they are enjoying it as a home-away-from-home. Originally used as a woodshop, we moved their machinery into a pre-built structure and started from the ground up to transform this garage into a backyard oasis. Because it’s a DADU, this involved back-and-forth with the city to ensure it was permitted for the Queen Anne area. After discussing the parameters, the first thing we created during the design phase was a 3D plan that included a parking space in the alley and a gated door that invites you into the unit. After the plans were approved by our clients, we replaced the garage door with a giant sun-filled window, added built-in cabinetry across the walls for storage, and used high-quality, cool-toned materials throughout the kitchen and bathroom to match their aesthetic. To create a feeling of openness, we added a mirrored backsplash to the kitchen. Other hidden features include hiding the electrical within cabinetry (located behind the door) to give it a seamless and inviting look.