Photo Credit: Nate Downey
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone landscaping in Albuquerque for summer.

"Round Hill," created with the concept of a private, exquisite and exclusive resort, and designed for the discerning Buyer who seeks absolute privacy, security and luxurious accommodations for family, guests and staff, this just-completed resort-compound offers an extraordinary blend of amenity, location and attention to every detail. Ideally located between Napa, Yountville and downtown St. Helena, directly across from Quintessa Winery, and minutes from the finest, world-class Napa wineries, Round Hill occupies the 21+ acre hilltop that overlooks the incomparable wine­ producing region of the Napa Valley, and is within walking distance to the world famous Auberge du Soleil. An approximately 10,000 square foot main residence with two guest suites and private staff apartment, approximately 1,700-bottle wine cellar, gym, steam room and sauna, elevator, luxurious master suite with his and her baths, dressing areas and sitting room/study, and the stunning kitchen/family/great room adjacent the west-facing, sun-drenched, view-side terrace with covered outdoor kitchen and sparkling infinity pool, all embracing the unsurpassed view of the richly verdant Napa Valley. Separate two-bedroom, two en-suite-bath guest house and separate one-bedroom, one and one-half bath guest cottage. Total of seven bedrooms, nine full and three half baths and requiring five uninterrupted years of concept, design and development, this resort-estate is now offered fully furnished and accessorized. Quintessential resort living.

-Renovation of waterfront high-rise residence -Most of residence has glass doors, walls and windows overlooking the ocean, making ceilings the best surface for creating architectural interest -Raise ceiling heights, reduce soffits and integrate drapery pockets in the crown to hide motorized translucent shades, blackout shades and drapery panels, all which help control heat gain and glare inherent in unit’s multi-directional ocean exposure (south, east and north) -Patterns highlight ceilings in major rooms and accent their light fixtures Andy Frame Photography

Urn and fountain Features for your Austin, Central Texas, Houston, Southeast Texas Landscape We offer Urn and Fountain Water Feature Design and Installation in the Austin and Central Texas area including Bastrop, Elgin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Manor, Buda, Lakeway and San Marcos. We also serve the Houston and Southeast Texas area including Rosenberg, Richmond, Katy, Stafford, Missouri City, and Manvel. Urn and fountain Water Features are perfect for smaller areas or places where you're just not looking for a natural looking waterfall. A disappearing water feature can be created using almost any vessel you can imagine. These features are perfect for small courtyards, front yards, or commercial properties where liability is a concern. They are a great way to 'get your feet wet' with water features without the commitment of a pond. We have created fountainscapes using urns, ceramic vases, natural stone columns, even a concrete cowboy boot! The water fills up the vessel and then spills over, disppearing into a bed of decorative gravel. the water is then recirculated through the feature again and again. For more information on urn and fountainscapes, please visit As an added bonus for those of you looking to go in a more 'green' direction, most pondless water features can be used in conjunction with the RainXChange rainwater caturing system. In fact, you can get up to 12 LEED points by incorporating our system into your design. The RainXChange system captures rainwater and stores it underground in a hidden reservior while recirculating it through an urn or fountain feature or even a pondless waterfall. For more information on the RainXChange system, please visit Contact us to get started on your urn or fountain water feature 512-782-8315 or 281-668-4077

A new poured concrete walkway directs attention to the front door. Gaps in the sidewalk add dynamic lines and allow for water drainage. Drought tolerant, low-maintenance plants were used as there is no irrigation, but these plants look great year-round!

Gravel pathway using BEGA's Home and Garden Collection bollards.
Photo of a large southwestern partial sun side yard gravel garden path in Santa Barbara for summer.

A wild, native spirit radiates out from within the structured lines and angles of the hardscape - softened by a lush and biodiverse selection of California native plants in a velvety palette of soft silvery grays, greens, and purples with the occasional pop of yellow and orange.

Expert Pruning And Garden Care King Garden Designs ISA Certified Arborists know when and how to prune and thin interior of your privacy hedges for optimal beauty and plant health. We also assist in residential property oversight; guiding and directing landscape services. We draw on our network of experts. Our unique hands-on approach and attention to detail create incredible results.

Traditional living room with gold and granite coffee table and Persian style rug, accessories include coral, shell covered boxes and tray. Iron twig wall art, iron sconces, piano, herringbone fabric on sofa, gold framed mirrors, colorful transitional art. Lance Selgo-Unique Exposure PhotographyLance Selgo-Unique Exposure Photography

Landscape of the remodeled house construction in Studio City which included the installation of front yard garden, front door entrance, brick driveway, roofing, exterior painting and front yard fountain.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary partial sun front yard stone landscaping in Other with a fire pit for fall.

Expert Pruning And Garden Care King Garden Designs ISA Certified Arborists know when and how to prune and thin interior of your privacy hedges for optimal beauty and plant health. We also assist in residential property oversight; guiding and directing landscape services. We draw on our network of experts. Our unique hands-on approach and attention to detail create incredible results.

A dry creekbed directs water drainage away from the driveway and house.
Inspiration for a large transitional full sun side yard stone landscaping in Austin.

This site underwent a dramatic transformation from a casual outdoor afterthought to a well-defined, functional, and beautiful space. The front entry was redirected and opened, and features the porch and landing. The raised garden beds line the entire space creating rooms and directional flow. Layers of white and green plant materials fill the beds while taller specimens create private spaces. Photo Credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

A modern screen porch beautifully links this Wellesley home to its Garden. Extending overhangs that are clad in red cedar emphasize the indoor – outdoor connection and keep direct sun out of the interior. The grey granite floor pavers extend seamlessly from the inside to the outside. A custom designed steel truss with stainless steel cable supports the roof. The insect screen is black nylon for maximum transparency. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

To anchor a modern house, designed by Frederick Fisher & Partners, Campion Walker brought in a mature oak grove that at first frames the home and then invites the visitor to explore the grounds including an intimate culinary garden and stone fruit orchard. The neglected hillside on the back of the property once overgrown with ivy was transformed into a California native oak woodland, with under-planting of ceanothus and manzanitas. We used recycled water to create a dramatic water feature cut directly into the limestone entranceway framed by a cacti and succulent garden.

before photo of asbestos riddled home.
Example of an arts and crafts home design design in Denver

Iron Fence Painting Wicker Park Homeowners Can Trust: A Windy City Painters Case Study Wicker Park is full of architectural character — ornate 1890s greystone two-flats, vintage brick facades, and wrought iron fencing that has framed these streets for well over a century. However, what iron fence painting Wicker Park properties require is not a simple weekend job. Winters here are brutal on metal, and consequently Windy City Painters has spent years perfecting the restoration process that keeps these fences standing strong. In particular, this case study walks through a recent project completed for a classic Wicker Park property. Project Overview The property featured a full wrought iron perimeter fence that had suffered years of freeze-thaw cycling and road salt exposure. Paint had failed across most of the pickets, and oxidation had progressed into active rust at several base rails. Consequently, the homeowners needed more than a fresh coat of paint. They needed a genuine metal restoration, and that is precisely what Windy City Painters delivered. Materials Used Windy City Painters selected products specifically rated for Chicago's climate extremes: Rust-Oleum Professional Rust Inhibitor Primer Sherwin-Williams DTM Acrylic Enamel (two finish coats) 3M rust converter gel for active oxidation zones Wire brushes, angle grinders, and detail brushes for precision work The Process: How Windy City Painters Restores Rusted Iron Every iron fence painting Wicker Park project follows a disciplined, multi-stage process: Preparation. Wire brushing and angle grinding remove all loose, flaking, and compromised material. Rust converter gel is applied directly to active oxidation zones, chemically stabilizing the metal underneath. Repairs. Pitted sections and structurally weak joints are addressed before any coating touches the surface. Notably, skipping this step is the most common reason fence paint fails prematurely. Priming. A full rust-inhibiting primer coat seals every bare metal surface, preventing moisture from reaching the iron beneath. Application. Two finish coats of direct-to-metal enamel are applied by hand for even coverage across pickets, finials, and rail joints. Finishing. A final inspection confirms full coverage, sharp lines, and a smooth, uniform sheen from every angle. Furthermore, this same process protects the ornate details so common on Wicker Park fencing — decorative finials, scrollwork, and gate hardware — without losing the historic character that makes these properties special. Advice for Wicker Park Homeowners Before starting a similar project, homeowners in this neighborhood should keep a few things in mind: Never paint over active rust. Untreated oxidation will continue spreading beneath the new coating, and the paint will fail within a season or two. Always prime bare metal before applying a finish coat. Skipping primer is the single fastest path to peeling. Choose coatings rated for temperature extremes, since Chicago's freeze-thaw cycles are harder on metal than most climates. Inspect ground-contact areas each spring, as base rails typically rust fastest due to snow melt and road salt runoff. Budget for prep time. In fact, most of the labor in a quality iron fence painting Wicker Park project happens before a single coat of paint is applied. Similarly, ask whether the contractor uses rust converter on active oxidation, since skipping this step often shortens the life of the finish considerably. Moreover, historic greystone properties often have decorative ironwork that requires extra care during grinding and priming so the original detailing is preserved rather than sanded away. What to Expect: Timeline and Investment Homeowners often ask how long an iron fence painting Wicker Park project takes from start to finish. In general, prep work — wire brushing, grinding, rust conversion, and repairs — takes up the largest share of the schedule, while primer and enamel application move relatively quickly once the surface is properly stabilized. Cure time between coats also affects the overall timeline, since rushing this stage undermines durability. Consequently, Windy City Painters builds a realistic schedule around weather conditions rather than forcing the job into a tight window. In addition, investment varies based on fence length, the amount of active rust present, and whether ornate detailing requires extra hand-finishing. Homeowners considering this project should request a full on-site walkthrough rather than a rough phone estimate, since rust severity is difficult to judge accurately without seeing the fence in person. Why Wicker Park Homeowners Choose Windy City Painters Windy City Painters has become the trusted painting contractor for Chicago's North Side and Near West Side, and iron fence painting Wicker Park residents request most often reflects that reputation directly. In contrast to quick-fix contractors who paint straight over rust, Windy City Painters treats every project as a full restoration. As a result, clients get a finish that holds up through multiple Chicago winters rather than one. In addition, for related projects, Windy City Painters also offers interior painting, cabinet painting, drywall and plaster repair, and full metal refinishing services for fences, gates, and porches throughout the neighborhood. Ultimately, that range of services is what makes us a true one-stop contractor for Wicker Park homeowners. See more of our work and request a free estimate at www.windypainters.com. Ready to transform your Wicker Park home? Contact Windy City Painters for a free estimate — visit www.windypainters.com today. Proudly serving Wicker Park, West Town, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, Ukrainian Village, River North, and all of Chicago.

Long before the riparian-loving, drought tolerant California native foliage established itself, this rain garden worked to keep stormwater onsite. It takes quite a bit of technology to do so. The bioswale accepts water from the back and front gardens as well as the roof of the home via drains, an underground vessel, and a sump-pump. It can absorb this level of water in a matter of minutes. Because the soil in this area tends toward clay, another drain helps manage possible overflow. Photo: Steve Matloff, 2018