Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional partial sun front yard stone formal garden in Charlotte.

Plantings surround a dry creek bed
Design ideas for a rustic landscaping in Austin.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary screened-in back porch design in DC Metro.

Under deck patio with drainage system in ceiling. Concrete floors, open porch with timber supports. Designed and built by Atlanta Decking and fence.
Mid-sized back porch photo in Atlanta with a roof extension

Example of a transitional bathroom design in Louisville

After Photo: -We installed this flagstone walk way to lead to my client's meditation area. We needed to be sure he could walk this path with a cane. -We placed the bridge over the river run drainage area for a continuous path -We lowered all river run drainage areas to aid in proper drainage from back to front yard -We installed all new irrigation to be more water efficient Please see review from my client Mr. Huntsinger. Client Deana M. Chiavola

Ted J Greiner
Large elegant front yard brick patio photo in Bridgeport with no cover

Mid-sized trendy stone screened-in back porch idea in DC Metro

We were lucky to be contacted by a client who designed their own dream home directly abutting a stunning nature preserve. When the homeowners were considering making some adjustments to their property, maintaining the connection between the home and its natural surroundings was of the utmost importance. The couple wanted to create a space where they could drink in the beauty of the preserve. But what spurred the project was the need to make functional improvements. There was erosion on a hill sloping away from the house that needed to be addressed. Poor drainage saw rainwater was threatening the driveway and deck access on the side of the house. As careful thinkers, they came into this project brimming with creative ideas for how to transform the space into something functional and worthy of its surroundings. They called us to help tie the project together and execute it. Initial ideas were for a 3 or 4 season porch that would provide unmatched views of the surroundings, but with the functional aspects of the project, the dream porch was out of budget and still did not address the eroding hillside. Not to worry the team at Lotus was able to take inspiration from the couples’ ideas, and together, we developed a stunning space truly worthy of the nature preserve around it. PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS In landscaping, the importance of water management cannot be overstated. Our first job in the landscape design process was to improve the drainage for the site. Improved drainage protects not just the landscaping, but the home itself. In fact, estimates indicate that water problems are responsible for 85% of home repair expenses in the US annually. To ensure the drainage problems were fixed permanently, Lotus constructed a retaining wall to protect the foundation of the house. Once we fixed the broken drainage, we moved on to the slope at the side of the house. The hillside was badly eroding, making it another area of concern for the homeowners. Almost immediately, our team of experts saw the eroding hillside not as a problem, but as an opportunity. We fixed some grading issues and then planted the slope with native plants. These served a number of different functions: Native plants tied the home and its landscape to the nature preserve. The Ann Arbor area features a diverse and beautiful array of plant life and this was something the Lotus team and the homeowners were excited to celebrate. The plants’ root structure protects the integrity of the hillside. Plant roots act as anchors, gripping the earth and making the soil much more resistant to erosion. Native plants are especially good for this because they evolved alongside the native soil. Plants on the hillside provided privacy from the neighbors. Look, we love our neighbors. But sometimes, in those quiet moments life affords us all too infrequently, it is nice to have a bit of peace and quiet. While a fence could do the job just as well, a fence isn’t suited to every environment. When your backyard is a nature preserve, you want to feel as connected to the land as possible. Tall native plants add to the feeling of connectedness in a way a fence simply can’t. BEAUTIFUL RESULTS The couple had a deck and a walkout patio, but these spaces felt disconnected. Many of the solutions they put forward were attempts to address this separation. Working with our designers, we created a beautiful, tiered walkway that connected the deck and the walkout using modern bluestone from Rock Bottom Stone Supply, right here in Michigan. We added lighting features that would increase the feeling of connectivity between these spaces. We set out to create a space that would hover between the patio and the deck. This space would make our homeowners feel connected to the nature preserve around them while allowing them to feel creative and comfortable. To start, we made benches, stairs, and a built-in table. From there we finished with a cedar pergola that would give them shade in the summer months. We ended up making the pergola curved so it would relax into the space and provide a bit of the wow factor. We connected the deck and the walkout and paid homage to the slope and the preserve by installing still more native plants. All in all, the space completely rejuvenated the couple’s yard. It proved an elegant solution to a number of practical problems and served as a connection between the house and the stunning property onto which the house was built. At Lotus, we have proven our ability to provide similar solutions for many properties like this, but this one stands out. If for no other reason than to remind us, again and again, that nature and natural beauty are truly worth celebrating. Designer: Traven Pelletier Location: Brighton, Mi Materials: Limestone outcrop, bluestone patio, cedar pergola, all natural stone Vendors: Rock Bottom Stone supply in Burton, Michigan, Hobart stone in New York is bluestone supplier

This is an example of a decorative and mid-sized rustic shade granite and backyard free-form and gravel landscaping in Baltimore for spring.

Plantique, INC http://www.plantique.com Entry Name: Classic Fireside Getaway 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Hardscaping-Residential $30,000-$60,000 Award Level: Bronze Photo Description: The initial call from these homeowners was about a drainage issue. After having installed new roofing, siding, and a new porch enclosure, it was discovered that the original piping for the downspouts had failed. A few recent rainstorms had left a large pool of water behind the house. The new gutters and downspouts were now properly channeling water into a sub-surface piping system that no longer functioned. Obviously this had to be fixed, but after some further discussions, it was suggested that if a cost-effective solution could be found, perhaps a patio could be created along with the drainage solution. This would make the space between the porch and the pool more useful. The surfaces would have to be as kid-friendly as possible, as the homeowners foresaw frequent visits by their grandchildren. The flow of the spaces would have to be such that small bikes would be able to easily maneuver around chairs and tables. After a site study was conducted, several issues were discovered. Pertaining to the drainage issue, it was determined that the grade sloped directly toward the porch from the pool. This not only channeled water toward the house and porch, but created a dam in an already shallow drainage swale that trapped water off to the side of the porch. Since the soil in this area is predominantly clay, water could sit in that area for days until it drained away. On the aesthetic side, a good part of the house’s façade was brick, the porch floor was brick, the small patio and walkways were brick, and the seating wall next to the pool was brick; there was a lot of brick. The challenge would be to find a cost-effective material that would contrast will with the brick, while creating a functional patio space that also facilitated water drainage. The solution involved a significant re-grading of the area between the pool and the house, along with the installation of a completely new drain system to channel roof water away from the area. Working with the fixed points of the porch and foundation levels of the home, the slope that pitched toward the house was cut into to create a positive pitch away from the house. This created 20 in. high cut at the furthest point from the porch. To retain this, a segmental retaining wall block was used to form a curved seating wall around a mortared brick fire ring, perfect for evening campfires and marshmallow roasting with the grandchildren. Prior to the patio construction, new subsurface PVC piping was installed to channel water away from the house, under the patio, and to daylight about 100 ft. further into the side yard where it could properly drain. To construct the patio, the existing dry laid brick walks and patio were recycled as a border around a gray colored concrete paver that mimics the look of more expensive PA Bluestone, an often used companion to brick. The smooth surface texture and tight joint provide a barefoot friendly walking surface that stays cooler in the hot summer sun. The patio itself is also pitched so as to drain runoff to the lower end of the yard in case of a failure in the drain piping. Along with providing several clear pathways between the porch, pool, and driveway the new patio includes an open air dining area, a fire pit area, and a seating/lounging area (not yet furnished at the time of the photo) for larger family gatherings or more intimate dinners and fire-side relaxation. Photo Credit: Plantique, Mike Wimmer

Plantique, INC http://www.plantique.com Entry Name: Classic Fireside Getaway 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Hardscaping-Residential $30,000-$60,000 Award Level: Bronze Photo Description: The initial call from these homeowners was about a drainage issue. After having installed new roofing, siding, and a new porch enclosure, it was discovered that the original piping for the downspouts had failed. A few recent rainstorms had left a large pool of water behind the house. The new gutters and downspouts were now properly channeling water into a sub-surface piping system that no longer functioned. Obviously this had to be fixed, but after some further discussions, it was suggested that if a cost-effective solution could be found, perhaps a patio could be created along with the drainage solution. This would make the space between the porch and the pool more useful. The surfaces would have to be as kid-friendly as possible, as the homeowners foresaw frequent visits by their grandchildren. The flow of the spaces would have to be such that small bikes would be able to easily maneuver around chairs and tables. After a site study was conducted, several issues were discovered. Pertaining to the drainage issue, it was determined that the grade sloped directly toward the porch from the pool. This not only channeled water toward the house and porch, but created a dam in an already shallow drainage swale that trapped water off to the side of the porch. Since the soil in this area is predominantly clay, water could sit in that area for days until it drained away. On the aesthetic side, a good part of the house’s façade was brick, the porch floor was brick, the small patio and walkways were brick, and the seating wall next to the pool was brick; there was a lot of brick. The challenge would be to find a cost-effective material that would contrast will with the brick, while creating a functional patio space that also facilitated water drainage. The solution involved a significant re-grading of the area between the pool and the house, along with the installation of a completely new drain system to channel roof water away from the area. Working with the fixed points of the porch and foundation levels of the home, the slope that pitched toward the house was cut into to create a positive pitch away from the house. This created 20 in. high cut at the furthest point from the porch. To retain this, a segmental retaining wall block was used to form a curved seating wall around a mortared brick fire ring, perfect for evening campfires and marshmallow roasting with the grandchildren. Prior to the patio construction, new subsurface PVC piping was installed to channel water away from the house, under the patio, and to daylight about 100 ft. further into the side yard where it could properly drain. To construct the patio, the existing dry laid brick walks and patio were recycled as a border around a gray colored concrete paver that mimics the look of more expensive PA Bluestone, an often used companion to brick. The smooth surface texture and tight joint provide a barefoot friendly walking surface that stays cooler in the hot summer sun. The patio itself is also pitched so as to drain runoff to the lower end of the yard in case of a failure in the drain piping. Along with providing several clear pathways between the porch, pool, and driveway the new patio includes an open air dining area, a fire pit area, and a seating/lounging area (not yet furnished at the time of the photo) for larger family gatherings or more intimate dinners and fire-side relaxation. Photo Credit: Plantique, Mike Wimmer

After photo: -Grass has been removed and we added mounding boulders and low water use plants -Irrigation was replaced in entire front and back yard to improve on low water usage -All river run drainage areas were deepened with more rock added for proper drainage from back to front -New granite rock was added -We installed the bridge over the river run to continue the new path Deana M. Chiavola

Michael Pring
Trendy patio photo in New York with a fire pit

We recently wrapped up a comprehensive backyard renovation project focused on functional upgrades, clean aesthetics, and long-term performance. ? Scope of Work: Demo & Removal: ✔️ Removed over 1,200 SF of old concrete across the backyard patio and side yard runs ✔️ Demoed outdated planter and fire feature to open up the space for a fresh layout Drainage Solutions: ✔️ Installed new drainage trenches and PVC piping with pop-up emitters at strategic points ✔️ Connected to existing drainage infrastructure for seamless water management ✔️ Extended drainage through existing concrete to the front yard with a clean brick border finish Concrete Work: ✔️ Poured new concrete with rebar reinforcement ✔️ Finished with a clean brushed texture for durability and style Synthetic Turf Installation: ✔️ Installed Premium Tiger Turf (USA-made) over a compacted gravel base ✔️ Included ZeoFill odor-neutralizing infill for a pet-friendly upgrade Decorative Rockwork: ✔️ Installed high-end Mexican Beach Pebble for a clean, modern finish ✔️ Blended hardscape and softscape elements for a cohesive, polished look ? Why It Works: This project strikes the perfect balance between aesthetics and performance — combining structural upgrades like reinforced concrete and professional drainage with soft, stylish finishes like premium turf and decorative stone. It’s low-maintenance, heat-tolerant, and pet-approved — all while increasing the home’s outdoor usability and resale

We recently wrapped up a comprehensive backyard renovation project focused on functional upgrades, clean aesthetics, and long-term performance. ? Scope of Work: Demo & Removal: ✔️ Removed over 1,200 SF of old concrete across the backyard patio and side yard runs ✔️ Demoed outdated planter and fire feature to open up the space for a fresh layout Drainage Solutions: ✔️ Installed new drainage trenches and PVC piping with pop-up emitters at strategic points ✔️ Connected to existing drainage infrastructure for seamless water management ✔️ Extended drainage through existing concrete to the front yard with a clean brick border finish Concrete Work: ✔️ Poured new concrete with rebar reinforcement ✔️ Finished with a clean brushed texture for durability and style Synthetic Turf Installation: ✔️ Installed Premium Tiger Turf (USA-made) over a compacted gravel base ✔️ Included ZeoFill odor-neutralizing infill for a pet-friendly upgrade Decorative Rockwork: ✔️ Installed high-end Mexican Beach Pebble for a clean, modern finish ✔️ Blended hardscape and softscape elements for a cohesive, polished look ? Why It Works: This project strikes the perfect balance between aesthetics and performance — combining structural upgrades like reinforced concrete and professional drainage with soft, stylish finishes like premium turf and decorative stone. It’s low-maintenance, heat-tolerant, and pet-approved — all while increasing the home’s outdoor usability and resale

Dry Creek Bed, Boulder Retaining Wall, Impressions Outdoor Living
This is an example of a mid-sized modern landscaping in Minneapolis.

水屋
Home design - modern home design idea in Tokyo

Peter Hyatt
Example of a mid-sized trendy green split-level mixed siding flat roof design in Melbourne