It started with vision. Then arrived fresh sight, seeing what was absent, seeing what was possible. Followed quickly by desire and creativity and know-how and communication and collaboration. When the Ramsowers first called Exterior Worlds, all they had in mind was an outdoor fountain. About working with the Ramsowers, Jeff Halper, owner of Exterior Worlds says, “The Ramsowers had great vision. While they didn’t know exactly what they wanted, they did push us to create something special for them. I get inspired by my clients who are engaged and focused on design like they were. When you get that kind of inspiration and dialogue, you end up with a project like this one.” For Exterior Worlds, our design process addressed two main features of the original space—the blank surface of the yard surrounded by looming architecture and plain fencing. With the yard, we dug out the center of it to create a one-foot drop in elevation in which to build a sunken pool. At one end, we installed a spa, lining it with a contrasting darker blue glass tile. Pedestals topped with urns anchor the pool and provide a place for spot color. Jets of water emerge from these pedestals. This moving water becomes a shield to block out urban noises and makes the scene lively. (And the children think it’s great fun to play in them.) On the side of the pool, another fountain, an illuminated basin built of limestone, brick and stainless steel, feeds the pool through three slots. The pool is counterbalanced by a large plot of grass. What is inventive about this grassy area is its sub-structure. Before putting down the grass, we installed a French drain using grid pavers that pulls water away, an action that keeps the soil from compacting and the grass from suffocating. The entire sunken area is finished off with a border of ground cover that transitions the eye to the limestone walkway and the retaining wall, where we used the same reclaimed bricks found in architectural features of the house. In the outer border along the fence line, we planted small trees that give the space scale and also hide some unsightly utility infrastructure. Boxwood and limestone gravel were embroidered into a parterre design to underscore the formal shape of the pool. Additionally, we planted a rose garden around the illuminated basin and a color garden for seasonal color at the far end of the yard across from the covered terrace. To address the issue of the house’s prominence, we added a pergola to the main wing of the house. The pergola is made of solid aluminum, chosen for its durability, and painted black. The Ramsowers had used reclaimed ornamental iron around their front yard and so we replicated its pattern in the pergola’s design. “In making this design choice and also by using the reclaimed brick in the pool area, we wanted to honor the architecture of the house,” says Halper. We continued the ornamental pattern by building an aluminum arbor and pool security fence along the covered terrace. The arbor’s supports gently curve out and away from the house. It, plus the pergola, extends the structural aspect of the house into the landscape. At the same time, it softens the hard edges of the house and unifies it with the yard. The softening effect is further enhanced by the wisteria vine that will eventually cover both the arbor and the pergola. From a practical standpoint, the pergola and arbor provide shade, especially when the vine becomes mature, a definite plus for the west-facing main house. This newly-created space is an updated vision for a traditional garden that combines classic lines with the modern sensibility of innovative materials. The family is able to sit in the house or on the covered terrace and look out over the landscaping. To enjoy its pleasing form and practical function. To appreciate its cool, soothing palette, the blues of the water flowing into the greens of the garden with a judicious use of color. And accept its invitation to step out, step down, jump in, enjoy.

At this Palo Alto home, a concrete wall provides privacy for front yard seating. Existing boxwoods and dogwood tree at right were kept per client's wishes. (Photography by Paul Dyer)

Jeri Keogel
Design ideas for a contemporary front yard landscaping in Orange County.

Glencoe Residence Landscape. Brick Paver Driveway with Bluestone Motorcourt Border, Radiant Snow Melt Heat System, French Inspired Formal Entrance Landscape, Low Voltage Lighting, and Irrigation. Entire property Constructed by: Arrow. Designed by: Marco Romani, RLA - Landscape Architect.

The arbor over the swing is intended to shade the sitting area in this hot yard as the sun comes from the left side of the swing. Evergreen Pandorea vines eventually grew over the top. The style mimicked that of the already existing pergola on the deck. The swing gives the family a resting place to watch people practicing on the putting green.

Front yard landscape with walkway
Inspiration for a full sun front yard landscaping in Houston.

This front yard landscaping project consist of multiple of our modern collections! Modern grey retaining wall: The smooth look of the Raffinato collection brings modern elegance to your tailored spaces. This contemporary double-sided retaining wall is offered in an array of modern colours. Discover the Raffinato retaining wall: https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/walls/raffinato-smooth/ Modern grey stone steps: The sleek, polished look of the Raffinato stone step is a more elegant and refined alternative to modern and very linear concrete steps. Offered in three modern colors, these stone steps are a welcomed addition to your next outdoor step project! Discover our Raffinato stone steps here: https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/steps/raffinato-step/ Modern grey floor pavers: A modern paver available in over 50 scale and color combinations, Industria is a popular choice amongst architects designing urban spaces. This paver's de-icing salt resistance and 100mm height makes it a reliable option for industrial, commercial and institutional applications. Discover the Industria paver here: https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/pavers/industria-smooth-paver/

This house could not be seen from the street, so the owners wanted something that would catch the eye and be welcoming. We created a second entrance of sorts with the focal point stairs that lead the eye into the woodland and provide a glimpse of the home. The river stone wall hints at the mountain cabin home that will soon be seen. These meandering walls weave thru the landscape and add much interest to this previously linear and boring view. Large drifts of low maintenance ground covers and perennials were used for seasonal color. A few colorful annuals are scattered around in a purposeful manner to look like natural drifts of wildflowers. Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

This front yard is a mixture of colorful drought tolerant plants, edible citrus and flagstone. The local wildlife love being able to eat here and the homeowners love coming out in the morning with a hot cup of coffee. You can read more about this project, plus watch the project video here http://tinyurl.com/6tb3p8q

Taken near front door looking out. Festuca 'Elijah Blue' in foreground. Agave 'Cornelius' surrounding
Photo of a mid-sized mid-century modern drought-tolerant and full sun front yard concrete paver landscaping in Orange County.

Close up of Agave 'Blue Star' in white rock
This is an example of a mid-sized mid-century modern drought-tolerant and full sun front yard landscaping in Orange County.

After a tear-down/remodel we were left with a west facing sloped front yard without much privacy from the street, a blank palette as it were. Re purposed concrete was used to create an entrance way and a seating area. Colorful drought tolerant trees and plants were used strategically to screen out unwanted views, and to frame the beauty of the new landscape. This yard is an example of low water, low maintenance without looking like grandmas cactus garden.

A rolling mound in the center of a U-shaped drive de-emphasizes the expanse of concrete and buffers the view from the street.
This is an example of a large transitional full sun front yard driveway in Cleveland for summer.

This Hilltop front yard in the Denver Area was constructed in 2012. The existing "builder" landscape" completely failed at dressing up the front of this deserving house. Clients wanted a clever entryway that was more than a simple walkway. The front planter contains "changeable" features that transition with the seasons. During the holiday season, the brick planter is decorated with a Christmas theme. Design: Ben Browne Browne & Associates Custom Landscapes

This house had a hidden front door so the homeowners wanted the landscape design to clarify where to walk to find the front door. A large pergola with cut bluestone pavers was designed to create the entry path.

Wave petunias spill over stone retainingon this frontyard landscape.
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional partial sun front yard brick outdoor sport court in Cleveland for winter.

We removed the overgrown and over-pruned hollies that hid the windows and made the entrance uninviting. We kept the junipers on the hill because they were healthy, weed free and drought tolerant. Raised beds were created with our awesome organic soil mix. The design looks great year round. Here you see it mid summer ablaze with perennials. Other seasons have perennials too that attract birds, hummingbirds and butterflies galore ... a feature the owners wanted to keep their girls interested in nature. When the perennials go dormant, the landscape still has a good framework of evergreen shrubs for a neat and tidy look all winter. Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant front yard landscaping in Orange County.

A mixed planting at the public sidewalk softens the expansive look of U-shaped concrete driveway.
Photo of a large traditional partial sun front yard driveway in Cleveland for summer.