Tuscan backyard tile patio photo in Los Angeles with a fire pit

Situated within a one-acre lot in Austin’s Tarry Trail neighborhood, the backyard of this existing 1933- vintage historical house was underutilized. The owners felt that the main drawbacks of the existing backyard were a general disconnection between each outdoor area and a general lack of relationship to the house proper. Therefore, the primary goal of the redesign was a scheme that would promote the use of the outdoor zones, with the pool as a centerpiece. The first major design move was to frame the pool with a new structure as a backdrop. This cabana is perpendicular to the main house and creates a clear “bookend” to the upper level deck while housing indoor and outdoor activities. Under the cabana’s overhang, an integrated seating space offers a balance of sunlight and shade while an outdoor grill and bar area facilitate the family’s outdoor lifestyle. The only enclosed program exists as a naturally lit perch within the canopy of the trees, providing a serene environment to exercise within the comfort of a climate-controlled space. A corollary focus was to create sectional variation within the volume of the pool to encourage dynamic use at both ends while relating to the interior program of the home. A shallow beach zone for children to play is located near the family room and the access to the play space in the yard below. At the opposite end of the pool, outside the formal living room, another shallow space is made to be a splash-free sunbathing area perfect for enjoying an adult beverage. The functional separation set up by the pool creates a subtle and natural division between the energetic family spaces for playing, lounging, and grilling, and the composed, entertaining and dining spaces. The pool also enhances the formal program of the house by acting as a reflecting pool within a composed view from the front entry that draws visitors to an outdoor dining area under a majestic oak tree. By acting as a connector between the house and the yard, the elongated pool bridges the day-to-day activities within the house and the lush, sprawling backyard. Planter beds and low walls provide loose constraints to organize the overall outdoor living area, while allowing the space to spill out into the yard. Terraces navigate the sectional change in the landscape, offering a passage to the lower yard where children can play on the grass as the parents lounge by the outdoor fireplace.

Have sliding glass doors or large windows in your home? Popular in many of today’s homes for their functionality and utility, sliding glass doors and large windows have one pressing drawback: Choosing the right window treatment can be a challenge for many homeowners. While vertical blinds were once the go-to option, there are more diverse options available today. Sheer shades for your sliding glass doors and large contemporary windows.

Example of a mid-sized urban single-wall concrete floor and gray floor open concept kitchen design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, no island and beige countertops

Pivot doors have become popular because they give a wide, generous opening and a simple, modern appearance. Used mostly on high-end and custom homes, pivoting doors are benefiting from two converging trends in home building. The high-performance hardware allows for smooth operation of panels much wider and taller than a traditional door. The operating hardware itself can be adjusted in both traveling speed and closure speed. This enhances the user experience of opening and closing the door by dialing in the functionality of the door to the individual user or household. . One of the biggest drawbacks to using a pivot door is cost they're up to 30 percent more than a single door and sidelight combination and twice as expensive as a standard-width single door, by some estimates. Pivot doors may be the most expensive designer doors but there’s no escaping the luxurious feel that they lend to designs. .

This is an example of a contemporary backyard landscaping in Seattle.

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard concrete patio kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a pergola

Interior & Exterior Design, Interior Architectural Design by Lindsey Schultz Design Garrett Cook; garrettcookphotography.com
Patio - southwestern backyard concrete patio idea in Phoenix with a pergola

www.j-jorgensen.com
Example of a small eclectic galley light wood floor enclosed kitchen design in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Spacious master bathroom with twin vanities. Dedicated water closest separates the toilet from bathing area and provides additional privacy. Separate tub and shower makes each a more spa like experience. Wood-look tiles add natural character without the drawbacks of natural wood. Photography by Spacecrafting

Trendy living room photo in Richmond

2014 Dennis Mayer Photography
Open concept kitchen - contemporary galley open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Mid-sized farmhouse ceramic tile and beige floor great room photo in Other with beige walls and no fireplace

Garden 24 in Northridge
Inspiration for a landscaping in Los Angeles.

Porch with trex decking and vinyl rails. The white and brown contrasting colors give such an inviting feel.
Inspiration for a small timeless side porch remodel in Baltimore with decking and a roof extension

Eye for Business Photography Carol Stream, IL
Example of a large classic open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in Chicago with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

The dappled pale earth tones of Guernsey Island Limestone bring you the timeless look and random panel pattern of ever popular classic limestone. But unlike real stone flooring you'll find our Designflooring stone effect tiles are not brittle, cold or porous - all of the style, none of the drawbacks.

Jeremy Bitterman
Inspiration for a modern exterior home remodel in Seattle

It's always fun to audit and assess property virtues, assets, and drawbacks. We chose to retain the Russian olives on site. Their silver foliage was a frothy, sunlit contrast to the green, lush riparian zone. They way their branches can arch and cascade is an energy we sought to harness and leverage. Mowing and mow lines can literally compose a property like a sculpture, or a fine landscape painting. Mow lines allow designers to emphasize or enhance site features, such as gorgeous trees and the welcome space beneath them. Not only can cut or unshorn turf roll out a welcome mat to intimate spaces such as this, but diverse un-mowed native grasses are vital habitat we ought to preserve along river ways - their roots cling to soil and stabilize river banks year around.