Modern Kitchen La Jolla CA
Mid-sized minimalist u-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen photo in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, gray walls and an island

This custom outdoor living project combines architectural structure, premium materials, and integrated amenities to create a highly functional, resort-style backyard. The existing deck was fully removed and replaced with a new patio cover featuring a clean 2/12 roof pitch, four large skylights with blinds, pine soffits, black hardware, and a durable PVC roofing system. Thoughtful detailing includes wrapped beams and posts, integrated gutters and downspouts, and discreet venting for long-term performance. The space is anchored by a fully built outdoor kitchen with a 42” Hestan grill, Danver flat-panel cabinetry, and Entzo countertops, designed for both everyday use and entertaining. A custom outdoor fireplace adds warmth and visual impact, complete with a substantial wood mantel and provisions for a recessed TV. Underfoot, large-format bluestone deck tiles in a staggered pattern create a refined, modern surface, paired with bluestone stairs and clean fascia detailing. Black cable railing with an IPE top cap preserves open views while maintaining safety. Comfort and technology are seamlessly integrated with recessed lighting, multiple heaters, Control4-ready electrical, and future-ready planning throughout. The result is a cohesive, high-end outdoor space designed for year-round enjoyment and future expansion.

This custom outdoor living project combines architectural structure, premium materials, and integrated amenities to create a highly functional, resort-style backyard. The existing deck was fully removed and replaced with a new patio cover featuring a clean 2/12 roof pitch, four large skylights with blinds, pine soffits, black hardware, and a durable PVC roofing system. Thoughtful detailing includes wrapped beams and posts, integrated gutters and downspouts, and discreet venting for long-term performance. The space is anchored by a fully built outdoor kitchen with a 42” Hestan grill, Danver flat-panel cabinetry, and Entzo countertops, designed for both everyday use and entertaining. A custom outdoor fireplace adds warmth and visual impact, complete with a substantial wood mantel and provisions for a recessed TV. Underfoot, large-format bluestone deck tiles in a staggered pattern create a refined, modern surface, paired with bluestone stairs and clean fascia detailing. Black cable railing with an IPE top cap preserves open views while maintaining safety. Comfort and technology are seamlessly integrated with recessed lighting, multiple heaters, Control4-ready electrical, and future-ready planning throughout. The result is a cohesive, high-end outdoor space designed for year-round enjoyment and future expansion.

This custom outdoor living project combines architectural structure, premium materials, and integrated amenities to create a highly functional, resort-style backyard. The existing deck was fully removed and replaced with a new patio cover featuring a clean 2/12 roof pitch, four large skylights with blinds, pine soffits, black hardware, and a durable PVC roofing system. Thoughtful detailing includes wrapped beams and posts, integrated gutters and downspouts, and discreet venting for long-term performance. The space is anchored by a fully built outdoor kitchen with a 42” Hestan grill, Danver flat-panel cabinetry, and Entzo countertops, designed for both everyday use and entertaining. A custom outdoor fireplace adds warmth and visual impact, complete with a substantial wood mantel and provisions for a recessed TV. Underfoot, large-format bluestone deck tiles in a staggered pattern create a refined, modern surface, paired with bluestone stairs and clean fascia detailing. Black cable railing with an IPE top cap preserves open views while maintaining safety. Comfort and technology are seamlessly integrated with recessed lighting, multiple heaters, Control4-ready electrical, and future-ready planning throughout. The result is a cohesive, high-end outdoor space designed for year-round enjoyment and future expansion.

This tropical courtyard for an oceanside villa seeks to provide a place of comfortable relaxation and entertainment for its seasonal inhabitants. Tall foxtail palms provide a reliable blanket of shade over the concrete and slate paving, the design of which was inspired by the patterns left in the sand as waves retreat down the beach. The bright glass tile of the fountain provides a colorful counterpoint to the lush tropical plantings surrounding the space. Scott Carman

This renovation and addition project, located in Bloomfield Hills, was completed in 2016. A master suite, located on the second floor and overlooking the backyard, was created that featured a his and hers bathroom, staging rooms, separate walk-in-closets, and a vaulted skylight in the hallways. The kitchen was stripped down and opened up to allow for gathering and prep work. Fully-custom cabinetry and a statement range help this room feel one-of-a-kind. To allow for family activities, an indoor gymnasium was created that can be used for basketball, soccer, and indoor hockey. An outdoor oasis was also designed that features an in-ground pool, outdoor trellis, BBQ area, see-through fireplace, and pool house. Unique colonial traits were accentuated in the design by the addition of an exterior colonnade, brick patterning, and trim work. The renovation and addition had to match the unique character of the existing house, so great care was taken to match every detail to ensure a seamless transition from old to new.

This tropical courtyard for an oceanside villa seeks to provide a place of comfortable relaxation and entertainment for its seasonal inhabitants. Tall foxtail palms provide a reliable blanket of shade over the concrete and slate paving, the design of which was inspired by the patterns left in the sand as waves retreat down the beach. The bright glass tile of the fountain provides a colorful counterpoint to the lush tropical plantings surrounding the space. Scott Carman

This Fire Pit patio uses Tumbled brick pavers. The seat walls and pit surround are made of Creta Stone split faced block. Design and Photo by Dan Wells

Do you have a small backyard? Here is a great idea of how to utilize every corner with a pool, fire pit, and covered pergola! 80' perimeter pool & spa combo in Missouri City. Key features of the project: - 15' x 18' Covered pergola with polycarbonate top - Geometric style pool and raised spa with built in fire pit - Gorgeous L-shaped built-in fire pit with blue glass and lava rock - Silver Travertine pool coping & Alaska Grey ledger stone for the raised wall feature - Alaska Grey Versailles pattern pavers around the pool as decking - Quartz pool plaster called "Marquis Bluestone" #HotTubs #SwimSpas #CustomPools #HoustonPoolBuilder #Top50Builder #Top50Service #Outdoorkitchens #Outdoorliving

This tropical courtyard for an oceanside villa seeks to provide a place of comfortable relaxation and entertainment for its seasonal inhabitants. Tall foxtail palms provide a reliable blanket of shade over the concrete and slate paving, the design of which was inspired by the patterns left in the sand as waves retreat down the beach. The bright glass tile of the fountain provides a colorful counterpoint to the lush tropical plantings surrounding the space. Scott Carman

David Dietrich
Example of a large minimalist slate floor and beige floor front door design in Charlotte

This tropical courtyard for an oceanside villa seeks to provide a place of comfortable relaxation and entertainment for its seasonal inhabitants. Tall foxtail palms provide a reliable blanket of shade over the concrete and slate paving, the design of which was inspired by the patterns left in the sand as waves retreat down the beach. The bright glass tile of the fountain provides a colorful counterpoint to the lush tropical plantings surrounding the space. Scott Carman

This visually simple, modern solution is unique within its suburban context, and gives this family the custom landscape of their dreams. The homeowners’ wish list included a modern design and clearly defined spaces: a larger dining patio, firepit patio, hot tub, and a 4-season sport court (which gets flooded for ice hockey in the winter). Circulation and screening were key in Ground One’s landscape design. A sport court could overwhelm the entire backyard, so it was raised three feet above the primary backyard to physically separate different spaces, and minimize its visual impact. Rectangular bluestone in a running bond pattern was used in all the gathering spaces (dining, firepit, hot tub). Bluestone walls reinforce a simple material palette. A larger dining patio was installed near the house for greater entertaining flexibility. Plank paver paths connect to a private hot tub area and allow kids to don hockey gear and enter the sport court without messing up the house. The firepit patio is at the back of the property, nestled into the existing hillside under a large oak and below the sport court terrace. Plantings reinforce the geometry of each gathering space, provide focal points, and create layers of screening and separation from any given vantage point. Hardy species were selected for their low-maintenance requirements and various seasons of interest. Landscape lighting was incorporated to provide way finding between the patios, accent various hardscape elements, and highlight the trees.

Landscape by Kim Rooney Before and after photos - Front patio
Inspiration for a large traditional full sun front yard stone driveway in Seattle.

Janet Paik © 2016 Houzz Daphne Edwards in collaboration with Fernau and Hartman

The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Historic Princeton home with a raised dimensional bluestone patio. Seatwalls with built-in planters. A beautiful pergola made from reclaimed gas lanterns from Philadelphia with a dining area comprised of irregular flagstone and brick. The spring house, originally from the 1800's, was repurposed into an entertainment area. Heavy perennial plantings and wisteria complete space. Nicholas Pugliese

Transitional patio photo in DC Metro

This tropical courtyard for an oceanside villa seeks to provide a place of comfortable relaxation and entertainment for its seasonal inhabitants. Tall foxtail palms provide a reliable blanket of shade over the concrete and slate paving, the design of which was inspired by the patterns left in the sand as waves retreat down the beach. The bright glass tile of the fountain provides a colorful counterpoint to the lush tropical plantings surrounding the space. Scott Carman