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.

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

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

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.

After: Pruned, cleaned out weeds add fertilizer and mulched.
This is an example of a landscaping in Other.

Get the Look! 20966 Vintage Beni M'Guild Moroccan Rug with Retro Modern Style 05'09 x 07'09. With vibrant splashes of colors and a bold geometric pattern, this hand-knotted wool vintage burgundy Beni M'Guild Moroccan rug astounds with its beauty. Like an endless horizon, the waves of abrash and ombre effect provides a beautiful backdrop for the all-over diamond pattern. This vintage Moroccan rug features a lozenge trellis composed of concentric diamonds, which symbolizes femininity and womanhood. It is framed with a cross motif border representing the male's presence of protection. In Moroccan rugs, male motifs often appear on the outer portions of the composition, framing and enclosing the female motifs. This presentation can be seen as symbolizing fertility, as well as protection and the sanctuary of the family. Though deceptively simple, this beautiful Beni Mguild Moroccan rug is clearly laced with meaning and cultural significance. Perfect for adding organic tactile sensations to a living room, bedroom, front room, home office, private library, sitting room, children's area, nursery, small space, mudroom, large entry, grand foyer, designer entryway, game room, playroom, study, studio, rumpus room, and theatre room or it would make a lovely accent next to a buffet in a dining room, behind the sofa table in the living room, or by a vestibule in a hotel lobby. Well-suited for fashion-forward homes, eclectic interiors, and a variety of styles: Bohemian, Postmodern, Abstract, Expressionism, Contemporary, Modern, Retro, Art Moderne, Boho Chic, Modern Mexican, Santa Fe Desert, Eclectic, Mid-Century Modern, Cubism, Surrealism, Memphis Design, Art Deco, Tribal, Nomadic, Ethnic, Primitive, African, Artisan, Industrial, Lodge, Cabin, Rustic, Northwestern, Urban, and Loft. Rendered in variegated shades of burgundy, maroon, wine, tangerine, orange, mauve, rose, magena, mulberry, cranberry, and coffee with other accent colors. Beni Mguild Carpet. Berber Tribes of Morocco. Abrash. Hand knotted wool. Made in Morocco. Measures: 05'09 x 07'09.

This landscape consisted of installing new landscape beds, Installing Large Palms, Tropical live plants, gravel, mulch, synthetic pet friendly artificial grass and outdoor lighting, Photo Credit: Beau Monde Landscape LLC, Lafayette Louisiana Landscape Contractor/Horticulturist #3216

Photo of a landscaping in Cleveland.

Photo of a modern landscaping in Manchester.

The garden isn't completely lawn-free. It hosts an IdealMow lawn of native Dune Sedge. It thrives with no chemical fertilizers or pesticides and uses only 20 percent of the water required by a turf grass lawn. A "smart" subsurface, hydrozoned drip irrigation system on weather based controllers delivers exactly what the hydrozoned foliage needs, right to its roots. This aids foliage health and eliminates water loss to evaporation. To keep its lawn-like appearance, the grass needs mowing only a few times a year. If left to grow, it forms true-green waves.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard mulch landscaping in DC Metro for summer.

Entry planting, drought tolerance and low fertility requirements of the selected plants. A grouping of evergreen and deciduous: Tree Peony, Rock Rose, Juniperus, Rosemary crepe Myrtle, Fern, Heather. Gil Schieber

This is an example of a modern landscaping in Santa Barbara.

Photo of a modern landscaping in Manchester.

This is an example of a landscaping in DC Metro.

Forsythias will herald the spring.
Design ideas for a mid-sized mediterranean full sun side yard stone landscaping in Charlotte for summer.