The client asked us to reconsider the front entry and associated landscape to give the house not only more curb appeal but to create a safer approach. The previous walkway was sloped and meandered for no apparent reason while the landscape plantings were overgrown and lacked the design aesthetic the client desired. We graded the area to eliminate the slope and straightened the walkway to compliment the homes contemporary architecture. We used custom cut bluestone in a modified running bond pattern for a unique look. Additionally, we widened the front stoop and added what we like to call a Hello / Goodbye terrace directly off the entrance landing. As guests arrive or depart, there’s a comfortable transition area that allows for quick conversation and an easy pedestrian flow. We simplified the plantings by using only 3 species, lavender, boxwood, and hydrangea, along the foundation while adding ornamental grasses for additional colors and textures in other areas. The back yard features a small deck overlooking a conservation area that we enlarged to create a dining area & a lounge with a sectional sofa. We choose a stainless steel railing system to open up the view and replaced the old wooden deck with a sustainable wood similar to mahogany called Ipe. We carried the Ipe over the side to create a horizontal lattice that encloses the underside of the deck for storage and adds to the contemporary feel of the home.

Saturday June 27, 1:30 to 3:30pm | Greenwich Village Jane Street and 11th Street Gardens by Robin Key of Robin Key Landscape Architecture See the hidden side of Greenwich Village with an exclusive visit to two enchanting townhouse gardens. The first, on Jane Street, includes a front garden, rear garden, and second floor terrace. In the rear garden a large, curved seatwall defines the space, creating a niche for the garden’s dining table and providing additional seating. Custom-made copper planters hold lush, shade-tolerant plantings backed by a cedar and copper trellis, adding warmth and texture to the walled garden. Tucked away in a corner, a compact outdoor kitchen provides the perfect spot from which to entertain. A quick walk will take attendees to 11th Street, where the design for this townhouse rear garden is structured around three outdoor rooms. The geometry of the contemporary space is softened with lush, massed plantings, while two columnar hornbeams provide height. The perimeter fence takes design cues from the steel deck and railings, while the bluestone paving in the upper areas echoes the floor pattern inside the home. Photo by Francine Fleischer

Extend the usable square footage outdoors with a paver or natural stone patio. Creative combinations of materials and colors make the space unique to the property and owner. The possibilities of an outdoor space are nearly limitless.

Front view of new Semi-Circular raised deck, with corbelled brick and herringbone basket weave pattern, with bluestone deck, to match existing traditional Tudor. Architect - Hierarchy Architects + Designers, TJ Costello Photographer - Brian Jordan, Graphite NYC

MCM Construction Inc. did a total remodel to the back and front yard of this lakefront property. We designed and built a new boathouse, dock and patio hardscapes with landscaping, where there was originally only a small yard with no boat slip or dock. Some of the challenges to construct this project were, excavating hundreds of yards of material including bedrock and large boulders that were blasted for removal. A new seawall was needed so a coffer dam was erected in order to pour the 100’ new concrete seawall and boathouse foundation. The dock was built with epoxy coated driven pin pile and Ipe decking. Stainless steel recessed cleats, mooring whips, bumpers and recessed LED lights in the decking were added to this beautiful and very functional dock. The stone walled boathouse was designed and built to match the home even down to the hand carved corbels and the octagon shaped window above the garage door. Inside the boathouse, lots of light is provided to operate the Hewitt boatlift with custom made divided light bypass wood doors, recessed lighting and recessed LED lights in the decking to highlight the owners beautifully restored mahogany Chris Craft ski boat. Underground storage below the upper patio is accessible through the inside of the boathouse and also through matching custom aluminum French doors under the patio above. At the upper patio, behind the boathouse, is a custom attic door built on site to access a full length storage attic above the boat. Small details like an outdoor shower head and hose bib finish off this wonderful boathouse. The backyard hardscapes are constructed with matching stone on the retaining walls and high grade Bluestone for the patios with ellipses being the base design element seen throughout. All new curved iron railings beautifully frame the upper patio. The grand staircase flows to the lower level with a small curved lawn and lounging area by the water front. The plantings were carefully selected with the owner to help soften up the stone terraced walls. The side of the home has more Bluestone but to add variety the selection was made to have these done with a tumbled bluestone sand set instead of the mortar set angular stone used in the back. This gives the curved pathway a very soft elegant feel. New cedar fencing, custom gates and plantings invites guests to the back yard. The front yard continues with the ellipse pattern in the lawn and path. New Bluestone was added to the front porch as well as modifying it from a rectangle to a radius design. The existing arbor was taken down and restored due to dry rot and other issues. A new sand finish driveway caps off the amazing front yard.

Borgert BrukStone pavers, circle and matching irregular patio, rear entry, spiral stairway landing and bubbling boulder.
Large elegant backyard concrete paver patio fountain photo in Minneapolis

Foundation Armor
Inspiration for a timeless stamped concrete patio remodel in Boston

Pebble banding details create pattern in this raised bluestone patio. Photo credit: Neil Landino
Patio container garden - large transitional backyard stone patio container garden idea in New York with no cover

Add beautiful stone features to your backyard from the wallstone, columns, steps and pool coping. Natural stone can be custom cut into nearly any shape, size and pattern. Bluestone specifically makes perfect pool coping due to its non-slip properties.

This sweet Linden Hills couple has three beautiful grandbabies living out in Northern California...after numerous trips out to visit them and breathe the sweet Pacific air they decided to bring Northern California to their backyard here in Minneapolis! We worked together to create a new contemporary coastal-influenced landscape featuring cedar decking, bluestone cut + patterned tile patio + pathways, louvred privacy fence, and plenty of space for sweet clumpings of grasses, shrubs + perennials. Now those grandbabies will feel even more at home when they come visit!

serena apostal
Mid-sized classic brick and stone white front porch idea in Charlotte with a hip roof and a roof extension

DC Patio Beautiful Pennsylvania Flagstone(Square Cut / Random Pattern) dry laid on compacted CR-6 & stonedust base. Seat Wall consists of mortared block, with Chocolate/Gray Natural Thins Stone Veneer,

Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman enclosed porcelain tile and brown floor living room remodel in Philadelphia with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a media wall

Extend the usable square footage outdoors with a paver or natural stone patio. Creative combinations of materials and colors make the space unique to the property and owner. The possibilities of an outdoor space are nearly limitless.

Extend the usable square footage outdoors with a paver or natural stone patio. Creative combinations of materials and colors make the space unique to the property and owner. The possibilities of an outdoor space are nearly limitless.

Extend the usable square footage outdoors with a paver or natural stone patio. Creative combinations of materials and colors make the space unique to the property and owner. The possibilities of an outdoor space are nearly limitless.

Extend the usable square footage outdoors with a paver or natural stone patio. Creative combinations of materials and colors make the space unique to the property and owner. The possibilities of an outdoor space are nearly limitless.

Extend the usable square footage outdoors with a paver or natural stone patio. Creative combinations of materials and colors make the space unique to the property and owner. The possibilities of an outdoor space are nearly limitless.

Extend the usable square footage outdoors with a paver or natural stone patio. Creative combinations of materials and colors make the space unique to the property and owner. The possibilities of an outdoor space are nearly limitless.