APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. Painted galvanized troughs used for vegetables in the side yard. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Inspiration for a contemporary outdoor patio shower remodel in New York

Inspiration for a large modern formal and open concept living room remodel in Miami with white walls and a media wall

Build: Graystone Custom Builders, Interior Design: Blackband Design, Photography: Ryan Garvin
Patio - large cottage front yard patio idea in Orange County with a fire pit and no cover

The existing concrete water tank, with interior dimensions 50 foot diameter and 28 foot height, was built in 1907 on a high south facing ridge overlooking the City of New Haven and Long Island Sound. Monumental red rock formations of similar height, East Rock and West Rock, define the natural landscape boundaries of the City and frame the views from this high point. The evolution of the neighborhood toward residential uses and other elements such as the four columns of the interior supporting the roof on a two way grid of beams as well as the size of the tank made it ideal for reuse as a dwelling. By insulating the 10" thick roof slab and the 18" thick concrete walls, on the outside maximum advantage is taken of the thermal mass. The approach from the street is by a stair on the east side which rises 9 feet to the 100 foot square level area on which the water tank sits. To the west of the stair at street level is the garage, once an underground vault for valves. A climb to the top reveals views over the City and Sound while the porch to the left invites entry. At the center, a two story high library, bounded by four columns and lit by four circular skylights, orders the scheme. The living room within the two story high 'bow' to the south opens to a porch shaded by grape vines which replaced an earlier canvas roof. The kitchen to the east is intended as the primary eating place although the library can be the focus of larger feasts. The studio to the north is lit by a two story high glass wall and bounded by offices. On the second floor, the bedrooms flank the upper library space while bathrooms and dressing rooms are placed to the north. The deep existing wall and projecting bays create window seats at east and west openings. At all other openings the glass is set within the wall. The roof is accessed from outside by the spiral stair in the existing octagonal tower.

The key design driver for the project was to create a simple but contemporary extension that responded to the existing dramatic topography in the property’s rear garden. The concept was to provide a single elegant form, cantilevering out into the tree canopies and over the landscape. Conceived as a house within the tree canopies the extension is clad in sweet chestnut which enhances the relationship to the surrounding mature trees. Large sliding glass panels link the inside spaces to its unique environment. Internally the design successfully resolves the Client’s brief to provide an open plan and fluid layout, that subtly defines distinct living and dining areas. The scheme was completed in April 2016

Custom Built Ceiling
Patio - huge traditional backyard tile patio idea in Miami with a fire pit and a roof extension

Situated on a private cove of Lake Lanier this stunning project is the essence of Indoor-outdoor living and embraces all the best elements of its natural surroundings. The pool house features an open floor plan with a kitchen, bar and great room combination and panoramic doors that lead to an eye-catching infinity edge pool and negative knife edge spa. The covered pool patio offers a relaxing and intimate setting for a quiet evening or watching sunsets over the lake. The adjacent flagstone patio, grill area and unobstructed water views create the ideal combination for entertaining family and friends while adding a touch of luxury to lakeside living.

Our client desired a functional, tasteful, and improved environment to compliment their home. The overall goal was to create a landscape that was subtle and not overdone. The client was highly focused on their deck environment that would span across the rear of the house with an area for a Jacuzzi as well. A portion of the deck has a screened in porch due to the naturally buggy environment since the home is situated in the woods and a low area. A mosquito repellent injection system was incorporated into the irrigation system to help with the bug issue. We improved circulation of the driveway, increased the overall curb appeal of the entrance of the home, and created a scaled and proportional outdoor living environment for the clients to enjoy. The client has religious guidelines that needed to be adhered to with the overall function and design of the landscape, which included an arbor over the deck to support a Sukkah and a Green Egg smoker to cook Kosher foods. Two columns were added at the driveway entrance with lights to help define their driveway entrance since it's the end of a long pipe-stem. New light fixtures were also added to the rear of the house. Our client desired multiple amenities with a limited budget, so everything had to be value engineered through the design and construction process. There is heavy deer pressure on the site, a mosquito issue, low site elevations, flat topography, poor soil, and overall poor drainage of the site. The original driveway was not sized appropriately and the front porch had structural issues, as well as leaked water onto the landing below. The septic tank was also situated close to the rear of the house and had to be contemplated during the design process. Photography: Morgan Howarth. Landscape Architect: Howard Cohen, Surrounds Inc.

Andrew Snow
Example of a small trendy underground concrete floor basement design in Toronto with blue walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern 3/4 white tile and marble tile marble floor and white floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Vancouver with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, white walls, a vessel sink and wood countertops

Michael Hunter
Design ideas for a small eclectic full sun side yard gravel garden path in Dallas for fall.

Designed to our client’s stylistic tastes and functional needs, budget and timeline, the basement was transformed into a luxurious, multi-use open space, featuring Adura and Four Seasons flooring, custom shelving displays, concealed structural columns, stone finishes, a beautiful glass chandelier, and even a large fish tank that created a striking focal point and visual interest in the room. Other unique amenities include Grohe plumbing fixtures, an InSinkerator, Braun fan and Pella windows, for controlled circular air flow.

Pondless waterfall using Mt St Helens rock and 3/4" basalt gravel. System uses Filtrific pond vault for reservoir. Bottom "pool" is less than 4" deep when running, and drains into tank when system shuts off to eliminate standing water which minimizes mosquitoes and algae growth.

Custom Entertainment space in Finished basement. Recessed niches, soffit details to conceal low duct work and steel support beams. Custom wrapped wood columns with crown moulding at top.

Custom basement for entertainment. Custom wood Column details, Drywall soffit details to maximize head room and give detail for multiple height changes in still beams and duct work.

Moving from one level to another feels extremely natural in the Fishers' house. A three-sided fireplace is a great feature that connects the dining room and adjacent living space. Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2013 Houzz

Designed to our client’s stylistic tastes and functional needs, budget and timeline, the basement was transformed into a luxurious, multi-use open space, featuring Adura and Four Seasons flooring, custom shelving displays, concealed structural columns, stone finishes, a beautiful glass chandelier, and even a large fish tank that created a striking focal point and visual interest in the room. Other unique amenities include Grohe plumbing fixtures, an InSinkerator, Braun fan and Pella windows, for controlled circular air flow.

Cameron Acker
Example of a small beach style single-wall ceramic tile laundry closet design in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white walls and a stacked washer/dryer