design: Carrie Preston (Studio TOOP) and Jasper Helmantel (Cruydt Hoeck), 2011 location: Appeltern, NL status: built in 2012 by Appeltern Model Garden Complex photos: Jolanthe Lalkens, June 2013 Designed as assignment from both the Dutch gardening magazine Groei & Bloei and the television and radio nature program Vara's Vroege Vogels, this garden serves as a model of how homeowners can incorporate lots of plant life and wildlife into the design but without sacrificing practicality or aesthetics. The garden is deliberately contemporary in its style to emphasize that nature-rich gardens need not look a certain way - insects and birds don't care if the lines are straight or curved. At the same time the garden makes use of affordable, simple, no-nonsense materials. The 40x60 cm paving stones are one of the most common and affordable paving options in the Netherlands, available en masse for free on the Internet. Conceptually we imagined a garden completely paved with the tiles (as to many gardens are) and what would happen if took out some of these stones, used them to build benches and structure and added plants where the tiles had been. In the construction of the benches we include other materials such as bamboo sticks and insulation bricks that create habitat for insects such as solitary bees. The plant palette is based on a selection of native and host plants in combination with the 26 plants plan set up by Groei & Boei -- a list of plants aimed at making the use of more plants in gardens accessible and less intimidating. The choice for the number 26 corresponds with the number of letters in the alphabet in line with the famous Dutch garden designer Mien Ruy's comment that if we only need 26 letters to create a whole language, we should be able to combine and mix 26 plants to express far more than we think.

Photo of a tropical landscaping in Other.

Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Other.

The space comes alive at night with selective lighting. Peering out through the dining room window, attention is refocused by the red blown glass bamboo installation, lit at night.

Made from natural bamboo and providing privacy and shelter, Eden"s natural bamboo fence screening can instantly transform any area, giving it an oriental inspired look. It is suitable for use as a feature wall in the garden, divider, screening to create a new outdoor space and other landscaping applications. Single sided product This bamboo is a natural colour with natural variations Can be used freestanding or attached to an existing structure or fence Extremely versatile product that can be used for a wide range of applications High visual impact product SPECIAL CARE INSTRUCTIONS : Best suited to a sheltered area as the colour will bleach on a west facing wall in strong direct sunlight

Photo shows the interior three art windows in the Japanese Tea House . All our art glass designs are copyrighted and come with a book detailing the metaphysical meanings. They are signed and the pattern is never repeated. The Tokonoma has two slender art glass windows on either side and is made of an exotic wood as is the alter base. The entire interior is designed with a specific number of wood types. Photo credits: Dan Drobnick

The front yard landscape is like walking through a coniferous forest. Towering Douglas Fir trees shed their needles year-round, but the homeowners keep up the meandering paver pathway and understory perennials clean for full enjoyment. A cedar/bamboo fusion screen will lay host to a purple flowering Clematis in years to come. Photography by: Joe Hollowell

This is an example of a large traditional backyard stone landscaping in Portland.

Single large diameter bamboo poles inset into mahogany wood framing of this entry gate. Bamboo was then stained with a protective sealer to enhance the color of natural bamboo poles and provide a weather resistance protection barrier.

6 Foot Rolled Mahogany Bamboo Fencing.
Home design - tropical home design idea in San Diego

Bamboo Fencing Cut to Fit Base in Stairs.
Island style home design photo in San Diego

Matthew Williams
Inspiration for a small modern partial sun backyard stone garden path in New York.

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

Designer Brent Knoll Knoll Landscape Design Miami Bamboo Retreat/Landscape Design Asper bamboo
Home design - tropical home design idea in Miami

Designer Brent Knoll Knoll Landscape Design Miami Bamboo Retreat/Landscape Design Bamboo
Example of an island style home design design in Miami

Designer Brent Knoll Knoll Landscape Design Miami Bamboo Retreat/Landscape Design Buddha belly bamboo
Inspiration for a tropical home design remodel in Miami

Designer Brent Knoll Knoll Landscape Design Miami Bamboo Retreat/Landscape Design Black asper bamboo
Inspiration for a tropical home design remodel in Miami

Designer Brent Knoll Knoll Landscape Design Miami Bamboo Retreat/Landscape Design Blue bamboo and lettuce
Island style home design photo in Miami

Designer Brent Knoll Knoll Landscape Design Miami Bamboo Retreat/Landscape Design Bamboo entrance
Island style home design photo in Miami