Our client was drawn to the property in Wesley Heights as it was in an established neighborhood of stately homes, on a quiet street with views of park. They wanted a traditional home for their young family with great entertaining spaces that took full advantage of the site. The site was the challenge. The natural grade of the site was far from traditional. The natural grade at the rear of the property was about thirty feet above the street level. Large mature trees provided shade and needed to be preserved. The solution was sectional. The first floor level was elevated from the street by 12 feet, with French doors facing the park. We created a courtyard at the first floor level that provide an outdoor entertaining space, with French doors that open the home to the courtyard.. By elevating the first floor level, we were able to allow on-grade parking and a private direct entrance to the lower level pub "Mulligans". An arched passage affords access to the courtyard from a shared driveway with the neighboring homes, while the stone fountain provides a focus. A sweeping stone stair anchors one of the existing mature trees that was preserved and leads to the elevated rear garden. The second floor master suite opens to a sitting porch at the level of the upper garden, providing the third level of outdoor space that can be used for the children to play. The home's traditional language is in context with its neighbors, while the design allows each of the three primary levels of the home to relate directly to the outside. Builder: Peterson & Collins, Inc Photos © Anice Hoachlander

Mark Hoyle Originally, this 3700 SF two level eclectic farmhouse from the mid 1980’s underwent design changes to reflect a more colonial style. Now, after being completely renovated with additional 2800 SF living space, it’s combined total of 6500 SF boasts an Energy Star certification of 5 stars. Approaching this completed home, you will meander along a new driveway through the dense buffer of trees until you reach the clearing, and then circle a tiered fountain on axis with the front entry accentuating the symmetrical main structure. Many of the exterior changes included enclosing the front porch and rear screened porch, replacing windows, replacing all the vinyl siding with and fiber cement siding, creating a new front stoop with winding brick stairs and wrought iron railings as will as other additions to the left and rear of the home. The existing interior was completely fro the studs and included modifying uses of many of the existing rooms such as converting the original dining room into an oval shaped theater with reclining theater seats, fiber-optic starlight ceiling and an 80” television with built-in surround sound. The laundry room increased in size by taking in the porch and received all new cabinets and finishes. The screened porch across the back of the house was enclosed to create a new dining room, enlarged the kitchen, all of which allows for a commanding view of the beautifully landscaped pool. The upper master suite begins by entering a private office then leads to a newly vaulted bedroom, a new master bathroom with natural light and an enlarged closet. The major portion of the addition space was added to the left side as a part time home for the owner’s brother. This new addition boasts an open plan living, dining and kitchen, a master suite with a luxurious bathroom and walk–in closet, a guest suite, a garage and its own private gated brick courtyard entry and direct access to the well appointed pool patio. And finally the last part of the project is the sunroom and new lagoon style pool. Tucked tightly against the rear of the home. This room was created to feel like a gazebo including a metal roof and stained wood ceiling, the foundation of this room was constructed with the pool to insure the look as if it is floating on the water. The pool’s negative edge opposite side allows open views of the trees beyond. There is a natural stone waterfall on one side of the pool and a shallow area on the opposite side for lounge chairs to be placed in it along with a hot tub that spills into the pool. The coping completes the pool’s natural shape and continues to the patio utilizing the same stone but separated by Zoysia grass keeping the natural theme. The finishing touches to this backyard oasis is completed utilizing large boulders, Tempest Torches, architectural lighting and abundant variety of landscaping complete the oasis for all to enjoy.

Large minimalist master concrete floor and gray floor freestanding bathtub photo in Miami with white walls, an integrated sink, solid surface countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Cottage garden full of drought tolerant perennials Santa Barbara Daisy, Penstemon, Heliotrope, Echium, Lambs ear, Rockrose, Nepeta, Jasmine, Teucrium. Flagstone path leads to a garden cottage with window boxes full of flowers. Apple trees, citrus, herb garden, rose garden, secret garden. Flagstone patio. Year round color garden

This screened porch is a huge place to relax whether sitting by the fire with a good book, watching a movie with your spouse, playing a game with the family or entertaining guests. It leads out to a courtyard sitting area and covered patio complete with outdoor kitchen and dining area.

Our client was drawn to the property in Wesley Heights as it was in an established neighborhood of stately homes, on a quiet street with views of park. They wanted a traditional home for their young family with great entertaining spaces that took full advantage of the site. The site was the challenge. The natural grade of the site was far from traditional. The natural grade at the rear of the property was about thirty feet above the street level. Large mature trees provided shade and needed to be preserved. The solution was sectional. The first floor level was elevated from the street by 12 feet, with French doors facing the park. We created a courtyard at the first floor level that provide an outdoor entertaining space, with French doors that open the home to the courtyard.. By elevating the first floor level, we were able to allow on-grade parking and a private direct entrance to the lower level pub "Mulligans". An arched passage affords access to the courtyard from a shared driveway with the neighboring homes, while the stone fountain provides a focus. A sweeping stone stair anchors one of the existing mature trees that was preserved and leads to the elevated rear garden. The second floor master suite opens to a sitting porch at the level of the upper garden, providing the third level of outdoor space that can be used for the children to play. The home's traditional language is in context with its neighbors, while the design allows each of the three primary levels of the home to relate directly to the outside. Builder: Peterson & Collins, Inc Photos © Anice Hoachlander

Cottage garden full of drought tolerant perennials Santa Barbara Daisy, Penstemon, Heliotrope, Echium, Lambs ear, Rockrose, Nepeta, Jasmine, Teucrium. Flagstone path leads to a garden cottage with window boxes full of flowers. Apple trees, citrus trees, rose garden, secret garden, privacy screen.

Outdoor patio odd the sunroom provides views of the pool and any approaching guests. The arched pass through is reminiscent of a horse farm.
Patio - huge traditional courtyard brick patio idea in Chicago with a pergola

Photo: Margot Hartford Photography © 2016 Houzz
Trendy kitchen photo in Amsterdam

This restored historical farmhouse in Toronto needed some serious updating. In the front yard a Clay brick driveway and courtyard helped to reflect the age of the house and give it a rich historical feel. A clipped European beech hedge surrounds the front courtyard adding privacy and structure. Hidden in the hedge is a secret spot for the client (an avid cyclist) to lock his Mouton bicycle. In the backyard we created a dining patio of Indiana limestone, more clipped beech hedges make this an intimate and private place to dine. A stepping stone walkaway bisects a well manicured lawn area and leads to a quaint storage shed.

After. This stretch of walkway leads right to the door and must welcome visitors. The cat's claw vine and yuccas were replaced by dwarf variegated pittosporum, wall germander, and Aquilegia chrysantha. As the plants grow they will extend conservatively just beyond the edge of the paving to soften the severity of its linear edge.

Design ideas for a mid-century modern landscaping in Phoenix.

A flagstone patio and natural stone seat wall lead to a larger space including a pavilion and outdoor kitchen.
Example of a small classic front yard stone patio design

This screened porch is a huge place to relax whether sitting by the fire with a good book, watching a movie with your spouse, playing a game with the family or entertaining guests. It leads out to a courtyard sitting area and covered patio complete with outdoor kitchen and dining area.

New Additions to Hoover + Hill This project is a continuation of the renovation and updating work Flavin Architects had previously completed at the 1958 Wales house, designed by architect Henry Hoover and Walter Hill. Our clients, a young family, desired more space for guests, a home office, a yoga studio, and covered car parking. The challenge was to respect the architects’ original vision and not to interfere with the perfect cruciform plan of the house. To accomplish these goals, we converted the existing garage/workshop structure into a guest house and then designed a new, separate carport/storage building. The new carport building shares the low-slope gable of the original Hoover structure. The post and beam structure characteristic of Hoover’s design is updated through the use of galvanized steel posts and I beams. The galvanized beams cantilever to support a sheltered walkway leading from the parking to a guest house terrace defined in relationship to the three structures surrounding it. The terrace is paved in slate with a central rain garden. Wood lattice clads the carport, providing good ventilation and letting the building glow like a lantern at night. Our guest house renovation celebrates the unique structural timber ceiling of the original garage. We replaced opaque plywood trusses with a slender cable truss structurally engineered by Webb Structural Services. This cable truss allows for a view of the timber ceiling. A wall of glass facing the courtyard replaced the original garage door. A murphy bed in the rear room enables quick conversion from guest quarters to weight room.

OutdooThis home in Wilmington, NC has cedar shingles stained Dorian Gray for the siding and also natural cedar for the roofing. There is a magnificent natural stone water table that runs the entire perimeter of the home. The driveway has short stoned walls to frame the entrances that leads to the homes courtyard garage. www.EddieRiderDesigns www.MarkJohnsonCustomHomesr Shower

Stone entry walk leads to a Craftsman-style residence, softened by structured shrubs and seasonal plantings.
This is an example of a traditional landscaping in San Francisco.

Located in North County San Luis Obispo, the Santa Ysabel Residence is a Mediterranean inspired family home. Taking advantage of the warm climate, a flagstone paved entry courtyard provides private gathering space that leads to the stone clad entry. Inside the home, exposed beams, wood baseboards, and travertine floors continue the Mediterranean vibe. A large wine room, with enough storage for a few hundred bottles, features a peek through window from the dining room. A large covered outdoor living and dining room open up to the pool and fire pit, embracing the rural views of Santa Ysabel.

Living room opens to an outdoor patio with seating and fireplace with dramatic mountain views.
Living room - large contemporary open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room idea in Santa Barbara with beige walls, a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace and a media wall