Sarah Greenman © 2012 Houzz
Inspiration for a farmhouse landscaping in Boise.

Le jardinet
Entryway - traditional entryway idea in San Francisco with a blue front door

This is an example of a traditional backyard vegetable garden landscape in Denver.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Example of a trendy medium tone wood floor family room design in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace and a concealed tv

The fragrance of the confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) greets you at the door. www.hortusoasis.com
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in Orlando.

Tom Bonner Photography
Mid-sized 1950s master brown tile and porcelain tile pebble tile floor bathroom photo in Los Angeles with beige walls

A trellised terrace opens up to a quieter view of a magnificent existing redwood grove and bioswale filled with clusters of ornamental grasses and perennials. Photography by Marion Brenner

Eclectic dark wood floor hallway photo in Portland with white walls

Photo Credit: Mark Schwartz
This is an example of a huge mediterranean hillside landscaping in San Francisco for spring.

Photo of a large contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in Orange County.

A refined material palette modernizes this conventional 60′s ranch-home’s yard. Repetition of materials like stone, ipe and concrete combine beautifully to form a bold and contemporary garden. Layered walls perform double duty as both sculpture and a way to define gathering spaces. Contrasting leaf textures and hues harmonize with the hardscape, and plant masses add their colorful statement to the canvas. Michele Lee Willson Photography

Natural desert plantings and boulders grace the sloping hillside.
Inspiration for a mediterranean drought-tolerant front yard gravel landscaping in Phoenix.

A classic fenced vegetable garden integrated into an existing landscape where it serves as a focal point.
Inspiration for a traditional vegetable garden landscape in Boston.

Large master bath with custom floating cabinets, double undermount sinks, wall mounted faucets, recessed mirrors, limestone floors, large walk-in shower with glass doors opening into private patio. Photo by Robinette Architects, Inc.

Inspiration for a transitional light wood floor and beige floor dining room remodel in Los Angeles with beige walls

Bathroom - modern bathroom idea in Los Angeles

weeding with hoe photo by Jocelyn H. Chilvers
This is an example of a landscaping in Denver.

Kristi Schneider has been a Atlanta professional organizer in the Metro Atlanta area for 10 years. While training to become a Montessori teacher I learned the importance of order while teaching children using the Montessori method. I quickly learned that everyone needs order in his or her lives to feel calm and secure. I quickly visualize creative solutions for disorganized spaces and make a plan with the client’s design style in mind. Truorder also works along side great custom closet companies to make your home an organized haven. Call Kristi Schneider of Truorder today to get organized.