The Portuguese word for garden, Jardim, is a fitting name for this private residential enclave designed by award-winning Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld, which overlooks the lush plantings and ephemeral blooms of the world’s favorite elevated park, New York City’s High Line. Tucked discreetly between two elegantly understated towers—Jardim Norte and Jardim Sul—and open to the sun and sky, the lush, tranquil multilevel courtyard gardens are a contemplative focal point for Jardim’s 36 one- to four-bedroom residences. Designed by Weinfeld in collaboration with Future Green Studio, the cutting-edge New York-based landscape architecture firm, Jardim’s private gardens are about more than just views. With broad floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious terraces integrated with indoor living areas, Jardim’s residences embrace both luxury and nature in the heart of West Chelsea.

“The mystical reflections of Villa Borghese – Rome”… I stumbled into photography just before graduation at the U of TN while volunteering at a local hospital where I was influenced to attend Brooks Institute. The instructors preached the technical aspects of photography, and upon graduation…we could implement our own artistic vision. As a commercial photographer since graduation, I have had little time to express my artistic vision…until I went to Italy for the first time, where I discovered my true love and passion! I consider myself a “contemplative” photographer, and as such, I have a three-part process to achieve my final presentation for each image: the discovery, how I perceive the image creation, and how I hope others will perceive the image. This artistic pursuit, I imagine, is similar to Michelangelo viewing a piece of marble for the first time. Villa Borghese in Roma is a famous Gardens and Museum begun in the early 17th century, highlighted by a "Temple of Aesculapius” at the garden lake. Surrounding this small lake is a three-foot iron fence, which I now affectionately call “Il lago di dolore”, or Lake Pain! I tried to cross this iron fence with camera in hand and a 20lb bag on my shoulder…needless to say, it did not go well! Despite the intense pain, I continued to take 60 images around the lake, and upon return home, I stubbornly refused to look at them until recently. My disdain for Lake Pain kept me from discovering the true artistic vision I first saw when I began creating these images. I finally gave into the contempt I had for the Lake and began working on several images. Perhaps, the viewer will perceive the great pain it took to finally engender a feeling of solace and peace in the true vision, and find that suffering eventually brought forth eminent beauty. As for this photographer, Il lago di dolore will be a constant reminder that the creation of great art sometimes endures great pain!

This unique 2.75 acre property, located on the Roosevelt Channel on Captiva Island, was transformed from a barren construction site into a tropical garden that would rival some botanical gardens. The homeowners are garden enthusiasts and collaborated closely with Bob Walsh and the landscape team to create a variety of lush landscape gardens including; a Tropical Flowering Tree Garden, Moonlight & Scent Garden, Citrus & Edible Garden, Specimen Palm Gardens, Tropical Shade Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, and Waterfall Gardens with lagoon pools for Koi fish. Outdoor living was of primary consideration as well. The Seminole Indian Chickee Hut overlooks a private Island Beach with hammocks to offer a retreat for entertaining and relaxation while a 42 foot circular Stone Labyrinth is a place for meditation and contemplation. Moon and accent landscape lighting allow the numerous pathways and gardens to be enjoyed well beyond sunset.

A new Dekton collection designed by Claudia Afshar Cosentino has collaborated with the renowned designer to create Ukiyo, a unique exploration of textures and geometric shapes for contemporary spaces. Ukiyo comes from Japanese and means ""living in the present moment, oblivious to life's problems"". By applying this concept to interior design and architecture, you can create spaces that promote serenity, contemplation and appreciation of the ephemeral beauty of everyday life, all in a visually appealing and functional environment. It has two patterns, each with different surface grooves and different thicknesses. Five colours are available: Bromo, Kreta, Nacre, Rem and Umber. Ukiyo is sensory experience, geometry and depth, and was born to bring a contemporary vision to interior design projects.

Inspired by the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France we were asked to create a special space of contemplative unwind. With a new hot tub partially dug into the hillside overlooking the custom cut flagstone labyrinth patio, the restorative tone of this back yard brings you back to a place of center.

A luxury bathroom truly is the room for leisure. It must be beautiful and invite contemplation, between raw modernism and organic softness. These bathroom designs advocate contemporary lines pushed to the extreme for a new expression of serenity.

This bathroom features warm, luxurious limestone and natural. The focus on natural materials makes this bathroom a wonderful space for relaxing and contemplating life.

Remark Vision
Beach style porch photo in Boston

Sunday, June 28, 1:00 to 2:30pm | Washington, DC Forest Hills Residence by Jay Graham, FASLA of Graham Landscape Architecture with architect Christopher Morrison, FAIA, LEED-AP This recently renovated urban landscape and garden located in the Northwest quarter of Washington, DC, sprang from a near-complete reconstruction of the property’s main house. Adjacent to Rock Creek Park, a large urban park and natural area, the landscape and gardens reflect both the woodland character of the nearby park and the modern architectural design of the home. Mirroring a distinct, internal angular wall separating the public and private spaces of the residence, a complimentary wall in the outdoor garden creates a dialogue between the interior of the home and the outdoor living space. Throughout the renovation process, the architect and landscape architect worked cooperatively to create a memorable outdoor space. Moving the original garage entrance allowed for an extension of the entry garden, where an extended walkway and ornamental screen along the street front provide enhanced privacy for the residence and create a garden backdrop visible from inside the home. Plantings in the rear of the home occupy the site’s natural slope as the property descends steeply into Creek Valley, a spur of Rock Creek Park, and provide residents with a rare scenic view of dense woodlands and a space for quiet contemplation in the midst of the bustling metro region. Photo courtesy Graham Landscape Architecture

Moss Garden: A Living Carpet of Tranquility A moss garden is a serene, low-maintenance landscape feature that evokes a profound sense of calm and natural beauty. Composed of vibrant, velvety mosses that thrive in shaded, humid environments, these gardens offer a soft, carpet-like groundcover that replaces traditional lawns or gravel with rich, green texture. At Westland Design, our moss gardens are thoughtfully integrated into the overall landscape to enhance a feeling of timelessness and stillness. Whether nestled beneath the canopy of trees, edging a stone pathway, or surrounding a tranquil water feature, moss brings subtle movement and color to quiet corners of the garden. Key qualities of a moss garden include: Evergreen softness: Moss provides lush, year-round greenery that requires no mowing or fertilizing. Quiet beauty: It absorbs sound, contributing to a peaceful, contemplative environment. Natural elegance: Ideal for Japanese-style gardens or woodland settings, moss complements stone, water, and wood elements with organic harmony. A moss garden is more than a design choice—it’s an invitation to slow down, observe closely, and appreciate nature’s quiet elegance.

A pair of lounge chairs upholstered in a cozy chenille are coupled with a leather pouf ottoman for reading and TV viewing...as well as enjoying and contemplating the views...

Inspiration for a craftsman landscaping in Vancouver.

The Asian landscape is known for a meditative feeling of serenity. Stone and natural elements invite contemplation, while carefully-shaped plantings will show the human interaction with the land. By creating a meandering paths it's believed that straight pathways allow malevolent spirits to go directly into the house, while a zigzag pathway hinders their movement into the living areas of a home.

With this client who has been passionate about plants all his life, there was naturally a close collaboration and a lot of input from him. Upon closer inspection you'd find some very exceptional plants that are sort of experimental but "all worth the try" in Gordon's eyes. And he is right! I relished the opportunity to use Star Magnolia stellata, Redbud Cercis 'Avondale' and 'Silver Cloud', Arabian Lilac 'Grand Duke of Tuscany', Royal Bromeliad Vriesea imperialis, also many unusual bulbs such as Scilla. Besides structure providing shrubs and trees (Tecoma, existing Indian Hawthorne with beautiful structures, Sweet Pea Bush, Golden Breath of Heaven, Ilex, Ginkgo, Bronze Loquat etc.) you'll see here also my favorite perennials, succulents and grasses, all as low care and undemanding as well as low-water as possible, to keep the landscape colorful and interesting year round. One of the highlights of this garden are the dry stream beds, bird bath and garden bench that we added. Built originally by himself and his wife, the dry stream beds were overgrown, mostly hidden by plant debris, or half rolling down hill. We had fun selecting a mixed collection of colorful and richly textured boulders of various sizes over, and with the input from 7 team members: Gordon, me, the contractor, the supervisor and three workers, we re-created the stream beds, making sure that anchor stones on the sides were well embedded in the slope, and that stone shelves and “top dressing” with smaller pebbles would add to the visual interest. Now these beds form very pleasing architectural features that look like they have always been there. We were all surprised how quickly all plants adapted to the site and started growing and putting out bloom. Now the old birdbath, a traditional white thing with dove figurines resting on the scalloped bowl, looked out of place, and I suggested to replace it with a stone bowl. And that part of the garden just called for a bench under the Macademia nut tree, to observe the birds and contemplate the whole creation. Only stone would do, but not any stone! Gordon picked a Basalt boulder that was naturally bowl shaped. It’s so heavy that it took 8 men to heave it into place! The Basalt bench was not much lighter, and together they make a very inviting scene. This job should last for a while. Photographed by Emma Almendarez at http://www.emmatheodoraphotography.com/

"About this Home: This custom luxury home isn't just a house; it's an homage to the art of coastal living. Offering over 2,500 square feet of meticulously crafted living space, three bedrooms, and three bathrooms, this residence is an invitation to the timeless allure of coastal life. One of the standout features of this home is the screened porch, a tranquil oasis that invites you to embrace the coastal breeze and the soothing sounds of nature. It's here that you can savor the beauty of the outdoors while being sheltered from the elements—an ideal spot for relaxation and contemplation. 41 West is a member of the Certified Luxury Builders Network. Certified Luxury Builders is a network of leading custom home builders and luxury home and condo remodelers who create 5-Star experiences for luxury home and condo owners from New York to Los Angeles and Boston to Naples. As a Certified Luxury Builder, 41 West is proud to feature photos of select projects from our members around the country to inspire you with design ideas. Please feel free to contact the specific Certified Luxury Builder with any questions or inquiries you may have about their projects. Please visit www.CLBNetwork.com for a directory of CLB members featured on Houzz and their contact information."

Inspired by the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France we were asked to create a special space of contemplative unwind. With a new hot tub partially dug into the hillside overlooking the custom cut flagstone labyrinth patio, the restorative tone of this back yard brings you back to a place of center.

"About this Home: This custom luxury home isn't just a house; it's an homage to the art of coastal living. Offering over 2,500 square feet of meticulously crafted living space, three bedrooms, and three bathrooms, this residence is an invitation to the timeless allure of coastal life. One of the standout features of this home is the screened porch, a tranquil oasis that invites you to embrace the coastal breeze and the soothing sounds of nature. It's here that you can savor the beauty of the outdoors while being sheltered from the elements—an ideal spot for relaxation and contemplation. Showcase Builders is a member of the Certified Luxury Builders Network. Certified Luxury Builders is a network of leading custom home builders and luxury home and condo remodelers who create 5-Star experiences for luxury home and condo owners from New York to Los Angeles and Boston to Naples. As a Certified Luxury Builder, Showcase Builders is proud to feature photos of select projects from our members around the country to inspire you with design ideas. Please feel free to contact the specific Certified Luxury Builder with any questions or inquiries you may have about their projects. Please visit www.CLBNetwork.com for a directory of CLB members featured on Houzz and their contact information."

Design ideas for a craftsman landscaping in Vancouver.

This landscape design showcases a harmonious integration of natural rock formations and a variety of plant life to create a serene and inviting garden space. The focal point is a flowing water feature that meanders through the arrangement, with carefully placed rocks and boulders that mimic a natural stream. Above, the vibrant sky peeks through lush, towering greenery, adding a dynamic background. The garden beds are densely planted with a mix of textures and colors, including purple flowering ground cover, striking yucca plants with their sword-like leaves, and cascading greenery of a weeping conifer. The pathways are neatly outlined with lighter stones, contrasting with the darker mulch and rich green lawn. This inviting outdoor area seems perfect for relaxation and contemplation, enhanced by the soothing sounds of the water feature and the secluded, private feel offered by the tall plants and trees. The overall effect is one of a meticulously designed landscape that combines elements of a rock garden, water garden, and an ornamental garden with a diverse palette of plants.