Nina Nazarov
Large cottage beige one-story wood gable roof photo with a metal roof

Photo by Milissa Hudak
Design ideas for a tropical landscaping in Miami.

Rivers Altieri
Example of a small nursery design in Los Angeles

This is an example of a rustic landscaping in New York.

Design ideas for a mid-sized rustic full sun backyard water fountain landscape in New York for summer.

Candide Valadares
Inspiration for a rustic full sun courtyard landscaping in New York.

Adriel Ortiz
Design ideas for a modern full sun backyard stone water fountain landscape in Portland.

Small danish master green tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile and black floor doorless shower photo in Minneapolis with beaded inset cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, a drop-in sink, onyx countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Creating a garden in Topanga involved an exciting contextual proposition: how best to achieve a balance between the built environment, the rocky hillside and the surrounding native live oak woodland. Specially selected hardscape consisting of Malibu rock and rough-hewn broken concrete married old with new and provided access and definition. A mixed palette of natives and Mediterranean plants joined garden with existing oaks and toyon trees. The resulting effect is one of a layered experience, a transition from semiformal to natural. A visitor to this garden experiences both the feeling of a residential setting and the beckoning wildland beyond.

Early morning on the ranch. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara
Design ideas for a farmhouse landscaping in Austin.

Photo of a large asian full sun backyard water fountain landscape for summer.

The concept of the garden was based on, “Brazilian Hummingbirds II”, a painting the MFAH has in its collection by the artist, Martin Johnson Heade. Heade travelled to the rainforest in Brazil between 1863 and 1864 and painted a series of small paintings depicting hummingbirds in the lush foliage of the Brazilian rainforests. His painting, Brazilian Hummingbirds, II, evokes the sultry atmosphere of the Brazilian rainforest with its misty quality and subtle lighting. His interest in ornithology can be seen in his detailed depictions of the hummingbirds. The garden location is adjacent to one of Buffalo Bayou’s steep, wooded ravines. The ravine, with its native plant communities and topography, is a perfect back- drop for a garden with a rainforest theme. Because the date for the garden opening coincides with the spring migration of hummingbirds into our region, the hummingbird theme seemed appropriate for this garden competition. The garden will include a variety of tropical plants native to the rainforests such as bromeliads, orchids, heliconia, and passion fruit flowers. In addition, native plants to our region such as the Sabal Minor and Southern Wood Fern will be included to integrate plants that are found nearby in the ravine. The Heliconia flowers produce considerable amounts of nectar, a high energy food essential for hummingbirds who are known to consume three times their bodyweight in a single day. In addition to nectar producing plants, there will be hummingbird nest materials dispersed throughout the garden. A misty quality to the garden will be provided by a misting system, and tropical colored lights will be lit at night for special events. Visitors to the garden will have a unique sensory experience reminiscent to that of Heade’s travels to Brazil’s rainforests.

Brent Bingham Photography
Design ideas for a stone water fountain landscape in Denver.

This is an example of a mid-sized asian backyard water fountain landscape in Detroit.

©A. Nance
Trendy deck photo in Austin

Design ideas for a mid-sized rustic partial sun backyard stone pond in Minneapolis for summer.

pandurum studios
Example of a large tuscan home design design in San Francisco