During excavation for this new modern home, large granite boulders rose to the surface from the primordial hillside. Instead of displacing these monoliths from the site from which they were created, they were arranged to define space. A circle of boulders stand guard around a custom built fire pit, providing protection from the wind while offering a place to climb or sit. The extended landscape view from the lawn is kept intact by the introduction of a ha-ha, a traditional landscape feature, that hides the productive garden and keeps it from breaking the view. Native and drought tolerant plantings hug the outer edges of the property for minimal use of irrigation and to visually blend into the surrounding hillside. This project also features a custom ipe bench with integrated lighting, waterjet address numbers with night lighting, and hardscape that complements the form and materiality of the architecture to create a harmonious transition into the horizontal plane. Photography: Louie Jeon Photography

Inspiration for a mid-sized tropical partial sun backyard mulch formal garden in Charlotte.

The Aim suspension lamps feature playful, minimalist design, which create a vivacious tangle of wires that seems to develop and grow like branches or climbing plants. The directionable body is in varnished aluminum sheet, the shade in photo-etched optical polycarbonate. The cable has a useful length of 354 inches (9m) so the lamp can be suspended 118 inches (3m) from the ceiling. A wall plug version also exists. There is a multiple rose with capacity to connect up to 5 Aims available.

Images provided by 'Ancient Surfaces' Product name: Antique Biblical Stone Fountain Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com Do you want to add the crown jewel to your backyard? Or maybe you want to finish of your swimming pool with a hand carved stone art piece instead of that stacked, bricked or stuccoed wall that you currently have? What about that kitchen window that leads to your neighbor’s wall or catwalk? Well you guessed it if you were thinking about adding a unique water feature that will transform that dull space into a lush oasis of limestone, water and greenery... An antique water fountain will not only transform your backyard it will change your mood every time you look at it of walk pass by it...

This is a modern take on a classic garden. The paving was designed with precision and then softened with lush planting. Two distinct spaces, a dining area and lounging spot, are delineated with herringbone pavers and linked by a flagstone walk. The walk takes the edge of the design’s geometry and avoids a sense of monotony that might result from repetition of the larger spaces’ paving pattern. Star jasmine and climbing roses soften the walls bordering the space, and citrus trees and herbs fill and spill over the planting beds.

This property was transformed from an 1870s YMCA summer camp into an eclectic family home, built to last for generations. Space was made for a growing family by excavating the slope beneath and raising the ceilings above. Every new detail was made to look vintage, retaining the core essence of the site, while state of the art whole house systems ensure that it functions like 21st century home. This home was featured on the cover of ELLE Décor Magazine in April 2016. G.P. Schafer, Architect Rita Konig, Interior Designer Chambers & Chambers, Local Architect Frederika Moller, Landscape Architect Eric Piasecki, Photographer

During excavation for this new modern home, large granite boulders rose to the surface from the primordial hillside. Instead of displacing these monoliths from the site from which they were created, they were arranged to define space. A circle of boulders stand guard around a custom built fire pit, providing protection from the wind while offering a place to climb or sit. The extended landscape view from the lawn is kept intact by the introduction of a ha-ha, a traditional landscape feature, that hides the productive garden and keeps it from breaking the view. Native and drought tolerant plantings hug the outer edges of the property for minimal use of irrigation and to visually blend into the surrounding hillside. This project also features a custom ipe bench with integrated lighting, waterjet address numbers with night lighting, and hardscape that complements the form and materiality of the architecture to create a harmonious transition into the horizontal plane. Photography: Louie Jeon Photography

During excavation for this new modern home, large granite boulders rose to the surface from the primordial hillside. Instead of displacing these monoliths from the site from which they were created, they were arranged to define space. A circle of boulders stand guard around a custom built fire pit, providing protection from the wind while offering a place to climb or sit. The extended landscape view from the lawn is kept intact by the introduction of a ha-ha, a traditional landscape feature, that hides the productive garden and keeps it from breaking the view. Native and drought tolerant plantings hug the outer edges of the property for minimal use of irrigation and to visually blend into the surrounding hillside. This project also features a custom ipe bench with integrated lighting, waterjet address numbers with night lighting, and hardscape that complements the form and materiality of the architecture to create a harmonious transition into the horizontal plane. Photography: Louie Jeon Photography

This large newly remodeled home had an elegant contemporary edge when we arrived. The owners wanted structure, color and interesting design where different locations on the large property each had a different feel and purpose. We created a clean semi-Mediterranean contemporary vibe with plantings in the front edged in light colored pebbles. We used Lavender, Nepeta for color and Boxwood Cones for formality and structure. “New Dawn” Climbing roses started framing the mostly horizontal façade of the house with light blush pink blooms and shiny healthy foliage. There was a woodland area in semi-shade where we used evergreen “Plum Yew” and purple leaved “Forest Pansy” Redbuds, Dogwoods and shade tolerant perennials were added including “Autumn” Fern and Astilbes. We even planted up a newly created long stone retaining wall with different trailing Sedums and Hen & Chicks as they would do in England.

September, Date and Time TBD | Saratoga Blackwell Hillside Garden by Rebecca Dye and Hank Helbush of Design Focus International Each detail of this spectacular Saratoga landscape was considered with its hillside site in mind, from the size of the pool to the choice of antique stone masonry. Working closely with the owner, the landscape architects created a series of intimate garden spaces on three terraces. At the top of the site, entertainment is the name of the game where a bocce ball court and a fire pit take advantage of the site’s commanding views of the Santa Clara Valley. Below the house, a jewel-like pool captures the eye, with its intricate glass-tile and bronze water jets. At its end, a seating area and fireplace are shaded by an arbor covered with climbing roses, adding both fragrance and hue. Visitors descend a series of terraced stone stairs set into the hillside, punctuated by raised beds of strawberries, lavender, artichokes, and citrus. A formal parterre flower garden on the terrace is replanted periodically with colorful blooms in acknowledgment of the changing seasons. Photo by Lauren Devon

A reclaimed brick pathway curves through a garden of roses, perennials, and clipped boxwood, guiding the eye toward both a shaded bench and the garden studio beyond. Clematis climbs a sculptural metal support, while seasonal blooms and small pieces of garden art add rhythm, texture, and calm moments of discovery in this shaded retreat.

Historic house, lots of roses, peach roses
Design ideas for a mediterranean full sun front yard stone formal garden in Seattle for summer.

Photo: Corynne Pless Photography © 2017 Houzz
Example of an eclectic exterior home design in Los Angeles

During excavation for this new modern home, large granite boulders rose to the surface from the primordial hillside. Instead of displacing these monoliths from the site from which they were created, they were arranged to define space. A circle of boulders stand guard around a custom built fire pit, providing protection from the wind while offering a place to climb or sit. The extended landscape view from the lawn is kept intact by the introduction of a ha-ha, a traditional landscape feature, that hides the productive garden and keeps it from breaking the view. Native and drought tolerant plantings hug the outer edges of the property for minimal use of irrigation and to visually blend into the surrounding hillside. This project also features a custom ipe bench with integrated lighting, waterjet address numbers with night lighting, and hardscape that complements the form and materiality of the architecture to create a harmonious transition into the horizontal plane. Photography: Louie Jeon Photography

Inspiration for a shabby-chic style gravel patio remodel in DC Metro with a pergola

During excavation for this new modern home, large granite boulders rose to the surface from the primordial hillside. Instead of displacing these monoliths from the site from which they were created, they were arranged to define space. A circle of boulders stand guard around a custom built fire pit, providing protection from the wind while offering a place to climb or sit. The extended landscape view from the lawn is kept intact by the introduction of a ha-ha, a traditional landscape feature, that hides the productive garden and keeps it from breaking the view. Native and drought tolerant plantings hug the outer edges of the property for minimal use of irrigation and to visually blend into the surrounding hillside. This project also features a custom ipe bench with integrated lighting, waterjet address numbers with night lighting, and hardscape that complements the form and materiality of the architecture to create a harmonious transition into the horizontal plane. Photography: Louie Jeon Photography

September, Date and Time TBD | Saratoga Blackwell Hillside Garden by Rebecca Dye and Hank Helbush of Design Focus International Each detail of this spectacular Saratoga landscape was considered with its hillside site in mind, from the size of the pool to the choice of antique stone masonry. Working closely with the owner, the landscape architects created a series of intimate garden spaces on three terraces. At the top of the site, entertainment is the name of the game where a bocce ball court and a fire pit take advantage of the site’s commanding views of the Santa Clara Valley. Below the house, a jewel-like pool captures the eye, with its intricate glass-tile and bronze water jets. At its end, a seating area and fireplace are shaded by an arbor covered with climbing roses, adding both fragrance and hue. Visitors descend a series of terraced stone stairs set into the hillside, punctuated by raised beds of strawberries, lavender, artichokes, and citrus. A formal parterre flower garden on the terrace is replanted periodically with colorful blooms in acknowledgment of the changing seasons. Photo by Lauren Devon

Ultimate backyard escape. Never mowed. Watered once a week. Gorgeous mediterranean garden for a contemporary lifestyle.
Photo of a large mediterranean drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel flower bed in Los Angeles for summer.

suzanne