Inspiration for a traditional partial sun front yard stone landscaping in Chicago.

When you open the back doors of the home of Nancy and Jeremy Campbell in Granville, you don’t just step out onto a patio. You enter an extension of a modern living space that just happens to be outdoors. Their patio’s unique design and setting provides the comfort and style of indoors while enjoying the natural beauty and fresh air of outdoors. It all started with a rather desolate back yard. “It was completely blank, there was nothing back there,” Nancy remembers of the patio space of this 1972 split-level house they bought five years ago. With a blank slate to work with, the Campbells knew the key elements of what they wanted for their new outdoor space when they sat down with Travis Ketron of Ketron Custom Builders to design it. “We knew we wanted something covered so we could use it in the rain, and in the winter, and we knew we wanted a stone fireplace,” Nancy recalls. Travis translated the Campbells’ vision into a design to satisfy outdoor entertaining and relaxing desires in all seasons. The new outdoor space is reminiscent of a vast, rustic great room complete with a stone fireplace, a vaulted ceiling, skylights, and ceiling fans, yet no walls. The space is completely open to the elements without any glass or doors on any of the sides, except from the house. Furnished like a great room, with a built-in music system as well, it’s truly an extension of indoor living and entertaining space, and one that is unaffected by rain. Jeremy comments, “We haven’t had to cover the furniture yet. It would have to be a pretty strong wind to get wet.” Just outside the covered patio is a quartet of outdoor chairs adorned with plush cushions and colorful pillows, positioned perfectly for users to bask in the sun. In the design process, the fireplace emerged as the anchor of the space and set the stage for the outdoor space both aesthetically and functionally. “We didn’t want it to block the view. Then designing the space with Travis, the fireplace became the center,” remembers Jeremy. Placed directly across from the two sets of French doors leading out from the house, a Rumford fireplace and extended hearth of stone in neutral earth tones is the focal point of this outdoor living room. Seating for entertaining and lounging falls easily into place around it providing optimal viewing of the private, wooded back yard. When temperatures cool off, the fireplace provides ample warmth and a cozy setting to experience the change of seasons. “It’s a great fireplace for the space,” Jeremy says of the unique design of a Rumford style fireplace. “The way you stack the wood in the fireplace is different so as to get more heat. It has a shallower box, burns hotter and puts off more heat. Wood is placed in it vertically, not stacked.” Just in case the fireplace doesn’t provide enough light for late-night soirees, there is additional outdoor lighting mounted from the ceiling to make sure the party always goes on. Travis brought the idea of the Rumford outdoor fireplace to the Campbells. “I learned about it a few years back from some masons, and I was intrigued by the idea then,” he says. “We like to do stuff that’s out of the norm, and this fireplace fits the space and function very well.” Travis adds, “People want unique things that are designed for them. That’s our style to do that for them.” The patio also extends out to an uncovered area set up with patio tables for grilling and dining. Gray pavers flow throughout from the covered space to the open-air area. Their continuous flow mimics the feel of flooring that extends from a living room into a dining room inside a home. Also, the earth tone colors throughout the space on the pavers, fireplace and furnishings help the entire space mesh nicely with its natural surroundings. A little ways off from both the covered and uncovered patio area is a stone fire pit ring. Removed by just the right distance, it provides a separate place for young adults to gather and enjoy the night. Adirondack chairs and matching tables surround the outdoor fire pit, offering seating for anyone who doesn’t wish to stand and a place to set down ingredients for yummy fireside treats like s’mores. Padded chairs outside the reach of the pavilion and the nearby umbrella the perfect place to kick back and relax in the sun. The colorful throw pillows and outdoor furniture cushions add some needed color and a touch of personality. Enjoying the comforts of indoors while being outdoors is exactly what the Campbells are doing now, particularly when lounging on the comfortable wicker furniture that dominate most of the area. “My favorite part of the whole thing is the fireplace,” Nancy says. Jeremy concludes, “There is no television, it would destroy the ambiance out there. We just enjoy listening to music and watching the fire.”

Rich evergreens encompass the pathway leading to the Saltwater Pool Courtyard from the the driveway and entryway. Globe Boxwoods stand point for the transition of the landing and the Carolina Brick Pathway. Here, a Herringbone Pattern with a Header border directs you through as the sailor course edging signifies the strong boundary of the pathway and plant bed.

Jorge photo. After 7 plus years of dredging the canals of Puerto Cancun are open with numerous luxury water crafts taking advantage of this prestigious community. This home has direct access for your Yacht or pleasure craft from your back yard, along with water and power supply dock side. The canal has hand chiseled stone lining its banks for kilometers making it Cancun's richest and best inland Marina and water way. Never worry about this Cumaru wood dock as this hardy Mexican wood will last a life time along with the zapote and Zalam woods.

Melissa McCabe Navaroli
Photo of a huge farmhouse full sun hillside concrete paver vegetable garden landscape in San Diego.

Charming vignettes in every direction when your landscape is in the hands of professionals. (Photo by RStarovich)
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun side yard gravel landscaping in Chicago for fall.

Unique opportunity to live your best life in this architectural home. Ideally nestled at the end of a serene cul-de-sac and perfectly situated at the top of a knoll with sweeping mountain, treetop, and sunset views- some of the best in all of Westlake Village! Enter through the sleek mahogany glass door and feel the awe of the grand two story great room with wood-clad vaulted ceilings, dual-sided gas fireplace, custom windows w/motorized blinds, and gleaming hardwood floors. Enjoy luxurious amenities inside this organic flowing floorplan boasting a cozy den, dream kitchen, comfortable dining area, and a masterpiece entertainers yard. Lounge around in the high-end professionally designed outdoor spaces featuring: quality craftsmanship wood fencing, drought tolerant lush landscape and artificial grass, sleek modern hardscape with strategic landscape lighting, built in BBQ island w/ plenty of bar seating and Lynx Pro-Sear Rotisserie Grill, refrigerator, and custom storage, custom designed stone gas firepit, attached post & beam pergola ready for stargazing, cafe lights, and various calming water features—All working together to create a harmoniously serene outdoor living space while simultaneously enjoying 180' views! Lush grassy side yard w/ privacy hedges, playground space and room for a farm to table garden! Open concept luxe kitchen w/SS appliances incl Thermador gas cooktop/hood, Bosch dual ovens, Bosch dishwasher, built in smart microwave, garden casement window, customized maple cabinetry, updated Taj Mahal quartzite island with breakfast bar, and the quintessential built-in coffee/bar station with appliance storage! One bedroom and full bath downstairs with stone flooring and counter. Three upstairs bedrooms, an office/gym, and massive bonus room (with potential for separate living quarters). The two generously sized bedrooms with ample storage and views have access to a fully upgraded sumptuous designer bathroom! The gym/office boasts glass French doors, wood-clad vaulted ceiling + treetop views. The permitted bonus room is a rare unique find and has potential for possible separate living quarters. Bonus Room has a separate entrance with a private staircase, awe-inspiring picture windows, wood-clad ceilings, surround-sound speakers, ceiling fans, wet bar w/fridge, granite counters, under-counter lights, and a built in window seat w/storage. Oversized master suite boasts gorgeous natural light, endless views, lounge area, his/hers walk-in closets, and a rustic spa-like master bath featuring a walk-in shower w/dual heads, frameless glass door + slate flooring. Maple dual sink vanity w/black granite, modern brushed nickel fixtures, sleek lighting, W/C! Ultra efficient laundry room with laundry shoot connecting from upstairs, SS sink, waterfall quartz counters, and built in desk for hobby or work + a picturesque casement window looking out to a private grassy area. Stay organized with the tastefully handcrafted mudroom bench, hooks, shelving and ample storage just off the direct 2 car garage! Nearby the Village Homes clubhouse, tennis & pickle ball courts, ample poolside lounge chairs, tables, and umbrellas, full-sized pool for free swimming and laps, an oversized children's pool perfect for entertaining the kids and guests, complete with lifeguards on duty and a wonderful place to meet your Village Homes neighbors. Nearby parks, schools, shops, hiking, lake, beaches, and more. Live an intentionally inspired life at 2228 Knollcrest — a sprawling architectural gem!

A comprehensive master plan for this property brought fresh vision to a time worn landscape surrounding this vintage home. Evolved through numerous iterations, the plan addressed the complexities of the site to achieve the objectives of the new owners. The property is located at the end of a cul-de-sac where a refurbished gate opens to a new gravel driveway and auto court welcoming family and friends. An expanded entrance terrace directs visitors to the front door while passing a quietly flowing fountain backdropped by lush landscape plantings. The expansive main terrace along the back of the home was redesigned at a single contiguous level. A new pool, spa and cold plunge were placed parallel to the main terrace allowing a generous lawn to bring continuity to the property. A guest house was sited to take advantage of views across the landscape with access through an adjacent olive tree shaded dining area. A detached garage with carport was tucked into the site providing buffer of a sport court and chicken coop. A hedged garden added at the kitchen wing of the home adds privacy to the side entrance and a place for kitchen gardening in a raised steel bed. Trees, hedges, shrubs, perennials, and lawns were planned to meld with desirable aspects of the former landscape.

Access to the lake from this charming home required navigating a steep slope. db landscaping LLC was able to negotiate this terrain and provide comfortable lake access using oversized natural stone steps and landings that meander through native plant material. The upper patio space provides natural outdoor gathering space directly off the main living area and allows for a perched view of the lake beyond.

Stone exterior stairs has a landing and then goes up the slope in two different directions. One heads up to the driveway and another cabin, and the other heads to the door of the cabin you see.

The design intent was to unify this flat and expansive landscape. To create more flow and access, a new deck with wrap around stairs opens into the backyard. At the base of the stairs, a flagstone pathway transitions to a vegetable garden area, with picnic table and raised boxes, built out of salvaged Redwood boards. For visual interest and accessibility, moss rock retaining walls with timber ties and gravel pathway are carved into the hillside. Another seating nook made of flagstone looks directly into a rose garden. Beyond the roses, a Mediterranean planting pallet defines this landscape with seasonal blooms, defined foliage textures and edible fruit trees.

Marty Ruona
Photo of a mid-sized modern partial sun front yard gravel driveway in Austin for summer.

An updated entry to this traditional ranch on the golf course. We used stamped concrete landings to direct visitors to the front door passing by a new fountain and plantings. Just after installation in 2020.

The Marenda - Indialantic, Florida. Luxury condominiums with direct beach access.
This is an example of a huge coastal full sun backyard water fountain landscape in Orlando.

If you're looking for the best way to make your business standout in the community, expert landscaping is the most direct way to project a professional appearance to the public. And when you enhance the entrance with mounds of bright annuals it adds approachability to the presentation. (Photo by RStarovich)

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.

This project was an entry to the Water Wise Landscape Recognition Program in Brantford. Features include: Spillway from downspout directed to supply water to drip-line of young Red Maple. This replaced a lawn that was in constant battle with invasive weeds and crabgrass. The grade of the yard was changed to retain as much rain water as possible to significantly reduce run-off. All plants used require little to no water need outside of what Mother Nature provides.

In south Seattle, a tiny backyard garden needed a makeover to add usability and create a sitting area for entertaining. Raised garden beds for edible plants provide the transition between the existing deck and new patio below, eliminating the need for a railing. A firepit provides the focal point for the new patio. Angles create drama and direct flow to the steel stairs and gate. Photo credits, Mark Garff.

This backyard paradise began with a muddy site, with all the grading sloping directly to the proposed poolside patio. The design for this outdoor living area would need to incorporate many challenges: * The grading issues would be corrected with retaining walls, which would create a warm yet expansive area and provide additional seating. * The pillars would require careful notching to insert the hardware for the pool gate. * The patio would need to incorporate stormwater storage underneath. * The edge of the poolside patio would require stabilization to prevent future settlement adjacent to the concrete pool deck.