Beach style patio photo in Los Angeles

Large Lagoon pool with fire pit in the middle.
Example of an island style custom-shaped pool design in Los Angeles

Jim Schmid Photography
Example of a classic white two-story brick exterior home design in Charlotte with a hip roof

Photo of a large modern backyard landscaping in Boston.

Photo by: Russell Abraham
Example of a mid-sized trendy concrete l-shaped open staircase design in San Francisco

Patio and back garden with firepit.
Example of a classic patio design in San Francisco

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Photography: Landmark Photography
Mid-sized minimalist concrete floor kitchen photo in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, limestone countertops, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and dark wood cabinets

Deck at dusk. Photo by Clark Dugger
Deck - mid-sized contemporary backyard deck idea in Los Angeles with no cover

Small elegant blue two-story gable roof photo in Houston

Farmhouse gray two-story gable roof photo in Charleston with a white roof

Asian backyard rectangular pool photo in Wilmington

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

Example of a mid-sized classic carpeted and gender-neutral carpeted playroom design in Calgary with carpeted risers and gray walls

Moving through the kitchenette to the back seating area of the rooftop, a classic lodge-style hot tub is a pleasant surprise. Enclosed around the back three sides, the patio gains some privacy thanks to faux hedge fencing. Photo: Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2014 Houzz Design: Cortney and Robert Novogratz

Raised planter boxes arranged to maximize light and micro climate conditions
Photo of a large farmhouse full sun backyard gravel vegetable garden landscape in Vancouver.

This is the front door to the home. Palm Springs house remodel by H3K Design Photo by Patrick Ketchum
Front door - mid-century modern front door idea in Los Angeles with a yellow front door

Photo: Jason Snyder © 2014 Houzz Design: Luca Construction and Design

Mid-sized coastal white one-story wood house exterior idea in Orange County with a shed roof

Ocean Collection sofa with ironwood arms. Romeo club chairs with Sunbrella cushions. Dekton top side tables and coffee table.
Patio - large contemporary backyard tile patio idea in Phoenix with a roof extension and a fireplace