image: Travis Rhoads Photography
Design ideas for a small contemporary drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard gravel landscaping in San Francisco with a fire pit.

Greenhouse at the center of the growzone, potting shed at the bottom. Autumn crush gravel as base
Inspiration for a large modern full sun backyard gravel vegetable garden landscape in Vancouver.

This Osmanthis will eventually grow and be shaped into a cone, this will be a nice entrance way plant
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in DC Metro.

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

Design: Debby Ruskin, Ruskin Gardens Co. Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in San Francisco.

Architect: Sarah Susanka, AIA Photography: Jim Westphalen A seamless flow of overlapping color, textures and patterns guides you from one outdoor space to another. An integrated mix of local stone throughout: Vermont red and green slate patios, fieldstone walls and stepping stone paths, granite boulder sculptures from the land, river rock-lined drip edges. Low sculpted wood-stemmed plants and lush groundcovers, mostly cultivars of indigenous species. Moss-filled joints in the patios, groundcover draping over stone, thyme along edges of walls.

After final installation. Picea pungens 'Baby Blue Eyes', Pinus strobus 'Fastigiata' and Picea abies 'Cupressina' evergreens will eventually provide the screening without growing too wide. The tri colored Beech, Carpinus 'Frans Fontaine and Japanese Maple Bloodgood, will further help screen in the growing season. Carpinus has a dense structure that will help somewhat in the winter and the White Pine in the center back grows very quickly.

Added a new patio with fresh mulch. Installed 3 blue spruce trees that will eventually grow 12' tall and 8' wide. Hydrangeas by the garage to smooth out the wall. Great additions for outdoor living.

Light brown custom cedar screen walls provide privacy along the landscaped terrace and compliment the warm hues of the decking and provide the perfect backdrop for the floating wooden bench.

This is an example of a farmhouse courtyard gravel garden path in San Francisco.

Our client built a striking new home on the east slope of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. To complement the clean lines of the facade we designed a simple, elegant landscape that sets off the home rather than competing with the bold architecture. Soft grasses offer contrast to the natural stone veneer, perennials brighten the mood, and planters add a bit of whimsy to the arrival sequence. On either side of the main entry, roof runoff is dramatically routed down the face of the home in steel troughs to biofilter planters faced in stone. Around the back of the home, a small “leftover” space was transformed into a cozy patio terrace with bluestone slabs and crushed granite underfoot. A view down into, or across the back patio area provides a serene foreground to the beautiful views to Lake Washington beyond. Collaborating with Thielsen Architects provided the owners with a sold design team--working together with one voice to build their dream home. Photography by Miranda Estes

This fast growing Chitalpa tree will eventually provides much needed shade on the patio as well as a long season of beautiful flowers.
Inspiration for an eclectic landscaping in San Francisco.

Weeping Norway Spruce - this one has been in the ground for 6 growing seasons - much slower to get established, but it will eventually fill the entire corner and get a little taller than the fence!

The first summer's abundance will eventually grow into an additional screen toward the street.
Inspiration for a large contemporary front yard landscaping in Portland.

When we excavated this area, to preserve the trees we needed to add this rock wall. It is approx. 3' high and 2' thick. All of the stone was collected on site. Eventually the plantings on top will grow over and soften it's appearance.

Eric Roth
Inspiration for a transitional white gable roof remodel in Boston

Photo: Alex Herring
Inspiration for a contemporary garden path in New York.

Heavy lattice panels provide an attractive screen for neighbors on both sides. Clematis armandii and honeysuckle vines will eventually cover the lattice. Photo: Urban Habitats Landscape Studio

This shallow but wide reach in closet boasts an adjustable triple hang section that can be adjusted as it's occupant grows over the years, and can eventually be converted to double hang. Atlanta Closet/David Buchsbaum