Nat Rea
Family room - coastal family room idea in Providence

Nat Rea
Kitchen - coastal kitchen idea in Providence

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant and full sun front yard concrete paver garden path in Los Angeles for spring.

Asian home design photo in Portland

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant and full sun backyard concrete paver water fountain landscape in Los Angeles for spring.

Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard gravel formal garden in Charleston for summer.

Nat Rea
Beach style family room photo in Providence

Teal Front Door Offers Cheery Welcome to Loft. A teal door and complementary area rug add inviting color to the transitional-style entrance of this loft. A structural lighting fixture above draws the eye while the wood slats on the barn door create a Union Jack, a nod to the owner's British heritage.

Nat Rea
Beach style kitchen photo in Providence

Part mirage, part miracle - this masterful modern evocation is in the best Louisiana vernacular tradition. It was conceived by architect Kevin Gossen (Gossen Architects Lafayette, Louisiana) for an unusual piece of property in Metairie whose cheated landscape gives the illusion of open country spaces. He has created a “cottage” that already looks as if it might be a survivor from a couple of centuries ago. Using reclaimed building materials, magnificent beams, beautiful old flooring with classically scaled rooms, it was a perfect project for Decorations Lucullus. Both architect and interior designers admit the real magic rested with the client whose highly developed aesthetic and extensive experience in design gave the process amazing vitality. Conceived as a “résidence secondaire” to be near grandchildren, she wanted something more snug than her large primary house out of town but without sacrificing the qualities of charm or elegance. While the project is still evolving, she can’t repress a smile when some passer-by stops to chat over the rose-heavy iron fence, perhaps peering into the gracious side hall, asking how this old house has managed to survive all the changes in the neighborhood. Photography by Sara Essex Bradly

Euphorbia 'Blackbird' in contemporary landscape with other low-water plants, and concrete pavers accented with shiny pebbles. Bel Marin Keys, Novato landscape transformation with low-water plants. Photo: © Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. Designer: Eileen Kelly

The dramatic transformation for this landscape replaced the lawn with a whimsical sculpture as a focal point, surrounded by Mexican pebbles and black limestone pavers and small sitting area. Succulents and other low water plants provide colors and textures and a lower water bill for the homeowners in this San Rafael home. Photo take just after installation, see other more recent photos. Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Tibouchina heteromalla - Silver leafed Princess Flower is a stunning late summer blooming shrub with vibrant purple-blue flowers. And really pops against the warm golden tones of California, Spanish-style bungalow. Photo taken 2 years after installation. The fresh new landscape and garden design replaced the tired lawn with a creeping thyme ground cover and other low-water plantings. The new flagstone pathway, and a small patio echo the terra-cotta tones of the house and are softened by Elfin Thyme planted between the pavers. Design and Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Succulents add drama to this Sausalito landscape pathway. Aeonium canariensis and sedum angelina thrive in this part shade garden and co-mingle with Fescue grasses, dwarf plumbago ground cover and a clumping bamboo. Mexican beach pebbles compliment the concrete pavers and patio beyond. Photo © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design.

Contemporary Master Bedroom Retreat Has Semi-Diagonal-Painted Accent Wall. This loft master bedroom has a contemporary style epitomized by the black canopy bed and diagonal-painted accent wall. Navy and white bedding, ottomans and an area rug complement the gray cement floor while adding soft texture to the space.

Novato, CA, Bel Marin Keys, landscape transformation. Replaced the water thirsty lawn with low-water plants that provide biodiversity, color and interest throughout the seasons. I've included several landscape design ideas and strategies to replace water-thirsty lawns form several projects I designed. I've included before and after photos and links to the various lawn conversion projects.

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. 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

Plant Feature: Kahili Ginger: A lower area of the this Northern California Landscape Sanctuary has a touch of the tropics with the the intoxicating fragrance of the Kahili Ginger (Hedychium Gardnerianum) that bloom late summer. And the Red Abysssinian Banana (Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii') with its large dramatic red/green leaves. Both thrive in this landscape throughout the almost frost-free winters. Design and Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design http://www.digyourgarden.com

Penstemon heterophyllus 'Margarita Bop' (Blue Bedder) is a stunning blue-flowering California native. Mounding and low growing, blooms profusely in spring. Bees love it too.