M J McCabe
Inspiration for a transitional landscaping in Bridgeport.

Photo: Aaron Carlson, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic
Design ideas for a landscaping in Other.

Phil and Rocio, little did you know how perfect your timing was when you came to us and asked for a “small but perfect home”. Fertile ground indeed as we thought about working on something like a precious gem, or what we’re calling a NEW Jewel. So many of our clients now are building smaller homes because they simply don’t need a bigger one. Seems smart for many reasons: less vacuuming, less heating and cooling, less taxes. And for many, less strain on the finances as we get to the point where retirement shines bright and hopeful. For the jewel of a home we wanted to start with 1,000 square feet. Enough room for a pleasant common area, a couple of away rooms for bed and work, a couple of bathrooms and yes to a mudroom and pantry. (For Phil and Rocio’s, we ended up with 1,140 square feet.) The Jewel would not compromise on design intent, envelope or craft intensity. This is the big benefit of the smaller footprint, of course. By using a pure and simple form for the house volume, a true jewel would have enough money in the budget for the highest quality materials, net-zero levels of insulation, triple pane windows, and a high-efficiency heat pump. Additionally, the doors would be handcrafted, the cabinets solid wood, the finishes exquisite, and craftsmanship shudderingly excellent. Our many thanks to Phil and Rocio for including us in their dream home project. It is truly a Jewel! From the homeowners (read their full note here): “It is quite difficult to express the deep sense of gratitude we feel towards everyone that contributed to the Jewel…many of which I don’t have the ability to send this to, or even be able to name. The artistic, creative flair combined with real-life practicality is a major component of our place we will love for many years to come. Please pass on our thanks to everyone that was involved. We look forward to visits from any and all as time goes by." –Phil and Rocio Read more about the first steps for this Jewel on our blog. Reclaimed Wood, Kitchen Cabinetry, Bedroom Door: Pioneer Millworks Entry door: NEWwoodworks Professional Photos: Loren Nelson Photography

Photo of a southwestern landscaping in Phoenix.

Artificial grass requires no mowing, watering, or fertilizing. Dog urine won't stain or discolor the artificial grass. Clean ups on artificial grass are easier than on natural grass. If you're tired of re-sodding year after year due to your dogs then consider an artificial grass dog run from PlushGrass. Additionally, your dog(s) won't track dust or mud into the house with an artificial lawn or dog run area.

Dogs love having a green space of their own - in the yard or on the lanai. Now, with EasyTurf artificial grass, you can have beautiful green grass AND a pet. Call AlternaScapes today for more information 1-800-445-2944 or visit our website at www.JustLikeGrass.com.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun side yard mulch landscaping in DC Metro for summer.

Providing a natural habitat for native bee, birds and butterflies, this client asked for native plants outside the balcony porch. Our designer planted such native plants as purple milkweed, hyssop, woodland sunflowers and wild bergamot requiring less water, fertilizer and maintenance. A custom-made bird bath, hand carved from granite with a steel base attracts all kinds of nature to this secret garden. Rusted steel edging follows the path as it curves the bank of the slope. Photography: Laurel Stacy Photography

More than any other group of tulips, the brightly colored species tulips are the best choice for Southern gardens. ‘Lilac Wonder’ tulip displays soft pink petals with a strong yellow base in a combination that will take your breath away. FEATURES Bloom/Feature Soft pink petals with a strong yellow base Plant Type Fall Bulbs Evergreen or Deciduous Deciduous USDA Zones 6,7,8 Zone Detail Hardy to -10°F Key Features Heat tolerance, drought tolerance, water-wise, reblooming Use Border, container, accent Exposure Full sun Bloom Season Spring Dimension 10-12" x Spreading Growth Rate Moderate to fast growth CARE Water Natural Southern rainfall / dry during summer Soil Type Any Fertilizer Mix in low amount of an even N-P-K before planting Pruning None PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS plant in full winter sun soil should be 2-3” over the bulb only needs natural rainfall; avoid summer irrigation digging and refrigeration is NOT necessary

Installed Sod around Rose beds. Added mulch to all beds. Cleaned out the water feature and added plants. Fertilized sod.
Photo of a mid-sized modern backyard mulch garden path in Wilmington for summer.

All weeds were removed and beds were edged. Landscape beds were cleaned up and prepped. Plants were fertilized and pruned as needed. Annual flowers were installed across the landscape and 6 yards of premium brown dyed mulch was installed to enhance the landscape!

This ground-level, wide-angle photograph captures a premium residential artificial grass installation in Tucson, Arizona, designed and completed by Az Custom Landscapes LLC. The project showcases a clean and vibrant outdoor living solution designed to thrive in the desert heat while dramatically lowering water usage. The focal point is a lush, high-density synthetic turf lawn featuring a striking, custom-curved layout. The entire lawn is meticulously framed by a flush, red brick paver border that follows the sweeping organic lines of the landscape, creating a beautiful visual transition between the vibrant green turf and the surrounding decorative river rock and native plantings. Running parallel to the synthetic grass is a covered backyard patio supported by classic Southwestern stucco pillars. This mud-free, pet-friendly turf integration seamlessly expands the home's usable outdoor entertainment space, providing a perfectly manicured lawn year-round without the need for mowing, fertilizing, or traditional irrigation.

Photo Credits: Interplay Design Unlike other design studios, Interplay has its own view of growing their interior design business. Since Taiwan is facing the low fertility issue, the team has noticed that instead of doing fancy design, creating and focusing on the senior-friendly home would be an advanced and primary market in the future. "A senior-friendly home" does not mean, putting the aids full of the home, but considering more about the dignity. They realized this point! But how? This project main designer - Kuan says: Creating the thoughtful space without reminding them - "This function is for you." Because even they need the supports, they hope there are no differences with others. Therefore, the senior-friendly homes they create will just look like other homes​. On the other hands, they also can be sustainable, design the homes without any concern in the future life,

Paver Patio
Example of a minimalist backyard concrete paver patio design in Kansas City with a fire pit and no cover

Scott & Catherine Buley, HTT&T, High Tech Turf & Trees, LandscapeMakeover.biz, Rain Garden Nursery. As a matter of fact, these protected seed pockets also hold fertilizer, water and soil amendments, reducing concern about irrigation or wind, traffic etc., disturbing the seed or seedlings. By taking one pass at around 4" deep, we bring up perfect aeration plugs, that are further broken up into topdressing when we take a final pass or two, at just 1/2" depth. All the surface depressions are then roughly 1/2" deep, with loosened soft soil and amendments to start the new seedlings. Very few aerators on the market will do this with perfectly vertical "un-crushable" seed pockets. Our aerators weight 1000 lbs. and up, but distribute weight to the tines only, as they have large suspending rollers. Their tines work perfectly vertically, something rental machines inherently can't do. Others place "leaning" plug holes, that crush down sideways under pressure, reducing ultimate seedling survival. We've found and use the largest diameter tines, to create plug pockets capable of growing seedlings for maximum early coverage and survival.

Design ideas for a transitional landscaping in DC Metro.

Natural terrace and stamped concrete steps with Xeriscape
This is an example of a mid-sized southwestern partial sun side yard gravel landscaping in Albuquerque.

Photo of a landscaping in Phoenix.

Weed Control: Utilizing both, cultural or mechanical methods applied through best management and integrated pest management practices. Complete lawn mowing, trimming and edging performed when needed.