The design brief for this garden was to create an inviting entry with a woodland feel that would complement the home's earthy color scheme and thoughtful architectural details. Majestic Sequoia sempervirens 'Aptos Blue' (Aptos Blue Coastal Redwood), with its pendant deep blue-green branches, shields the expanded porch from the afternoon sun. Selected for its ability to look good in sun or shade, Carex divulsa (Berkeley sedge) makes a lush ground cover, weaving through the trees and along the new slate walk. In fall, muhlenbergia capillaris explodes with feathery pink plumes. Photos by Martin Cox Photography.

We needed a bridge to cross the dry creek bed, so I designed a version of a Japanese yatsuhashi, or zig zag, bridge. It is clad in concrete backer board. I wanted to simulate a granite mountain plateau with a boulder peak. The client purchased the concrete lantern which perfectly complements the entrance to this woodland garden. Photo by Jay Sifford

Design: Jolee Horne Landscape Design Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz
This is an example of a mediterranean landscaping in San Francisco.

Lara Swimmer
Example of a transitional outdoor patio shower design in Seattle

Beach house Deck and railing AZEK Benches and glass railing system by Azek
Inspiration for a large coastal backyard balcony deck remodel in Los Angeles with a pergola

Northpeak Design
Inspiration for a rustic u-shaped brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Manchester with raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

Ilir Rizaj
Mid-sized minimalist galley porcelain tile and black floor kitchen photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets, solid surface countertops, paneled appliances, an island, light wood cabinets and an undermount sink

Pool - huge contemporary backyard tile and custom-shaped pool idea in Miami with a bbq area

Pool - contemporary concrete and round pool idea in Los Angeles

Mid-sized beach style brick floor and red floor sunroom photo in Boston with a standard ceiling and no fireplace

Jim Schmid Photography
Example of a classic mudroom design in Charlotte with gray walls

Trendy white one-story exterior home photo in Dallas with a hip roof

Like most growing families, this client wanted to lure everyone outside. And when the family went outdoors, they were hoping to find flamboyant color, delicious fragrance, freshly grilled food, fun play-spaces, and comfy entertaining areas waiting. Privacy was an imperative. Seems basic enough. But a heap of challenges stood in the way between what they were given upon arrival and the family's ultimate dreamscape. Primary among the impediments was the fact that the house stands on a busy corner lot. Plus, the breakneck slope was definitely not playground-friendly. Fortunately, Westover Landscape Design rode to the rescue and literally leveled the playing field. Furthermore, flowing from space to space is a thoroughly enjoyable, ever-changing journey given the blossom-filled, year-around-splendiferous gardens that now hug the walkway and stretch out to the property lines. Soft evergreen hedges and billowing flowering shrubs muffle street noise, giving the garden within a sense of embrace. A fully functional (and frequently used) convenient outdoor kitchen/dining area/living room expand the house's floorplan into a relaxing, nature-infused on-site vacationland. Mission accomplished. With the addition of the stunning old-world stone fireplace and pergola, this amazing property is a welcome retreat for year round enjoyment. Mission accomplished. Rob Cardillo for Westover Landscape Design, Inc.

Our clients wanted to add an ensuite bathroom to their charming 1950’s Cape Cod, but they were reluctant to sacrifice the only closet in their owner’s suite. The hall bathroom they’d been sharing with their kids was also in need of an update so we took this into consideration during the design phase to come up with a creative new layout that would tick all their boxes. By relocating the hall bathroom, we were able to create an ensuite bathroom with a generous shower, double vanity, and plenty of space left over for a separate walk-in closet. We paired the classic look of marble with matte black fixtures to add a sophisticated, modern edge. The natural wood tones of the vanity and teak bench bring warmth to the space. A frosted glass pocket door to the walk-through closet provides privacy, but still allows light through. We gave our clients additional storage by building drawers into the Cape Cod’s eave space.

Our homeowner had dreamt about one day redoing her beyond outdated kitchen since they day her husband carried her over the threshold. Vinyl flooring used for a backsplash, dingy carpeting, laminate with no sheen left to speak of and mismatched cabinetry…. it was time to make it happen. A year’s worth of planning later, her time capsule became one dreamy kitchen. Functionality reigns supreme in this small, but efficient kitchen where every cabinet has a story to tell and a place to store it. Countertop space to the right of the stove was an added necessity for function and safety. The raised snack bar is perfect for day to day meals and the lowered countertop was a must for this petite baker. A new lighting plan includes recessed lights, under-cabinet and accent lights, while new lighting fixtures reflect the client’s sense of style. Dingy brick patterned carpet was removed making way for new hardwood floors toothed in from the dining room. An airy palette gained some weight with the use of larger details; the oversized hood, beefy turned posts, prominent apron front sink and a grouping of tall cabinets on the refrigerator wall. Glass cabinet fronts, shiny beveled subway tile, and granite countertops allow light to dance around the space. Zachary Seib Photography

Lagoon-side property in the Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Entertaining and enjoying the views were a primary design goal for this project along with replacing the lawn with CA native and low water plants and a total renovation. The project includes a large camaru deck with built-in seating. The concrete steps and pavers lead down to the water's edge. I included a sunken patio on one side and a beautiful Buddha statue on the other, surrounded by succulents and other low-water, contemporary plantings. I also used Dymondia ground cover to create a natural pathways within the garden. Plants shown: Bush Germander (Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum'), Sea Lavender (Limonium perezii, and Blue Oat Grass. Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. Design Eileen Kelly

Staircase - contemporary wooden staircase idea in New York with wooden risers

With expansive fields and beautiful farmland surrounding it, this historic farmhouse celebrates these views with floor-to-ceiling windows from the kitchen and sitting area. Originally constructed in the late 1700’s, the main house is connected to the barn by a new addition, housing a master bedroom suite and new two-car garage with carriage doors. We kept and restored all of the home’s existing historic single-pane windows, which complement its historic character. On the exterior, a combination of shingles and clapboard siding were continued from the barn and through the new addition.

Amy E. Photography
Kids' bedroom - bedroom traditional girl carpeted kids' bedroom idea in Phoenix with gray walls