Perched atop a garage on the second floor of a newly built condo, this expansive rooftop in Carroll Gardens felt almost too vast to comprehend. The design challenge was to create intimacy and human scale. A figure-eight path guides movement through a series of distinct garden rooms. Crisp, angular planters—some sunken, others raised—establish a dynamic visual rhythm that plays with elevation. A custom pergola defines the dining zone, while a built-in bench and L-shaped sofa create a quiet corner ideal for working outdoors. Year-round visual interest was a priority, especially from the interior, so conifers and ornamental grasses provide structure through the winter months.

Perched atop a garage on the second floor of a newly built condo, this expansive rooftop in Carroll Gardens felt almost too vast to comprehend. The design challenge was to create intimacy and human scale. A figure-eight path guides movement through a series of distinct garden rooms. Crisp, angular planters—some sunken, others raised—establish a dynamic visual rhythm that plays with elevation. A custom pergola defines the dining zone, while a built-in bench and L-shaped sofa create a quiet corner ideal for working outdoors. Year-round visual interest was a priority, especially from the interior, so conifers and ornamental grasses provide structure through the winter months.

Perched atop a garage on the second floor of a newly built condo, this expansive rooftop in Carroll Gardens felt almost too vast to comprehend. The design challenge was to create intimacy and human scale. A figure-eight path guides movement through a series of distinct garden rooms. Crisp, angular planters—some sunken, others raised—establish a dynamic visual rhythm that plays with elevation. A custom pergola defines the dining zone, while a built-in bench and L-shaped sofa create a quiet corner ideal for working outdoors. Year-round visual interest was a priority, especially from the interior, so conifers and ornamental grasses provide structure through the winter months.

This spectacular Lookout Mtn. estate looks like it would fit equally well in the Cotswold region of England. We arrived at a landscape filled with mass plantings of generic shrubs, very few perennials, few blooming shrubs, and a lack of Winter interest. We completely reworked the gardens…Added many more Boxwoods, Azaleas, Laurels, Yews, Osmanthus, Magnolia to boost the structure needed and add year-round interest. Then we added loads of white blooming hydrangea, Nepeta, Veronica, Roses for long term color. Espaliered Fruit Trees, Topiary and Tree Formed Hydrangeas added the formality and interest needed to bring in needed “old world” charm. We added large boulders to an otherwise underwhelming Dry Creek Bed and added all Native Plants in that area including Clethera and Itea. I envisioned a very formal parterre garden surrounding a fountain and added evergreen to soften the structure. Boxwood Topiary were placed in the center of each quadrant. I suggested formal planters with clipped evergreen boxwood to dress up the front of the large garage and the pool areas. Over- all this property exudes old world charm and elegance.

Perched atop a garage on the second floor of a newly built condo, this expansive rooftop in Carroll Gardens felt almost too vast to comprehend. The design challenge was to create intimacy and human scale. A figure-eight path guides movement through a series of distinct garden rooms. Crisp, angular planters—some sunken, others raised—establish a dynamic visual rhythm that plays with elevation. A custom pergola defines the dining zone, while a built-in bench and L-shaped sofa create a quiet corner ideal for working outdoors. Year-round visual interest was a priority, especially from the interior, so conifers and ornamental grasses provide structure through the winter months.

Perched atop a garage on the second floor of a newly built condo, this expansive rooftop in Carroll Gardens felt almost too vast to comprehend. The design challenge was to create intimacy and human scale. A figure-eight path guides movement through a series of distinct garden rooms. Crisp, angular planters—some sunken, others raised—establish a dynamic visual rhythm that plays with elevation. A custom pergola defines the dining zone, while a built-in bench and L-shaped sofa create a quiet corner ideal for working outdoors. Year-round visual interest was a priority, especially from the interior, so conifers and ornamental grasses provide structure through the winter months.

This spectacular Lookout Mtn. estate looks like it would fit equally well in the Cotswold region of England. We arrived at a landscape filled with mass plantings of generic shrubs, very few perennials, few blooming shrubs, and a lack of Winter interest. We completely reworked the gardens…Added many more Boxwoods, Azaleas, Laurels, Yews, Osmanthus, Magnolia to boost the structure needed and add year-round interest. Then we added loads of white blooming hydrangea, Nepeta, Veronica, Roses for long term color. Espaliered Fruit Trees, Topiary and Tree Formed Hydrangeas added the formality and interest needed to bring in needed “old world” charm. We added large boulders to an otherwise underwhelming Dry Creek Bed and added all Native Plants in that area including Clethera and Itea. I envisioned a very formal parterre garden surrounding a fountain and added evergreen to soften the structure. Boxwood Topiary were placed in the center of each quadrant. I suggested formal planters with clipped evergreen boxwood to dress up the front of the large garage and the pool areas. Over- all this property exudes old world charm and elegance.

A fenced garden enclosure or greenhouse structure adds a functional growing space within the broader landscape, offering a practical garden feature with rustic character.

Perched atop a garage on the second floor of a newly built condo, this expansive rooftop in Carroll Gardens felt almost too vast to comprehend. The design challenge was to create intimacy and human scale. A figure-eight path guides movement through a series of distinct garden rooms. Crisp, angular planters—some sunken, others raised—establish a dynamic visual rhythm that plays with elevation. A custom pergola defines the dining zone, while a built-in bench and L-shaped sofa create a quiet corner ideal for working outdoors. Year-round visual interest was a priority, especially from the interior, so conifers and ornamental grasses provide structure through the winter months.

This spectacular Lookout Mtn. estate looks like it would fit equally well in the Cotswold region of England. We arrived at a landscape filled with mass plantings of generic shrubs, very few perennials, few blooming shrubs, and a lack of Winter interest. We completely reworked the gardens…Added many more Boxwoods, Azaleas, Laurels, Yews, Osmanthus, Magnolia to boost the structure needed and add year-round interest. Then we added loads of white blooming hydrangea, Nepeta, Veronica, Roses for long term color. Espaliered Fruit Trees, Topiary and Tree Formed Hydrangeas added the formality and interest needed to bring in needed “old world” charm. We added large boulders to an otherwise underwhelming Dry Creek Bed and added all Native Plants in that area including Clethera and Itea. I envisioned a very formal parterre garden surrounding a fountain and added evergreen to soften the structure. Boxwood Topiary were placed in the center of each quadrant. I suggested formal planters with clipped evergreen boxwood to dress up the front of the large garage and the pool areas. Over- all this property exudes old world charm and elegance.

This spectacular Lookout Mtn. estate looks like it would fit equally well in the Cotswold region of England. We arrived at a landscape filled with mass plantings of generic shrubs, very few perennials, few blooming shrubs, and a lack of Winter interest. We completely reworked the gardens…Added many more Boxwoods, Azaleas, Laurels, Yews, Osmanthus, Magnolia to boost the structure needed and add year-round interest. Then we added loads of white blooming hydrangea, Nepeta, Veronica, Roses for long term color. Espaliered Fruit Trees, Topiary and Tree Formed Hydrangeas added the formality and interest needed to bring in needed “old world” charm. We added large boulders to an otherwise underwhelming Dry Creek Bed and added all Native Plants in that area including Clethera and Itea. I envisioned a very formal parterre garden surrounding a fountain and added evergreen to soften the structure. Boxwood Topiary were placed in the center of each quadrant. I suggested formal planters with clipped evergreen boxwood to dress up the front of the large garage and the pool areas. Over- all this property exudes old world charm and elegance.

This spectacular Lookout Mtn. estate looks like it would fit equally well in the Cotswold region of England. We arrived at a landscape filled with mass plantings of generic shrubs, very few perennials, few blooming shrubs, and a lack of Winter interest. We completely reworked the gardens…Added many more Boxwoods, Azaleas, Laurels, Yews, Osmanthus, Magnolia to boost the structure needed and add year-round interest. Then we added loads of white blooming hydrangea, Nepeta, Veronica, Roses for long term color. Espaliered Fruit Trees, Topiary and Tree Formed Hydrangeas added the formality and interest needed to bring in needed “old world” charm. We added large boulders to an otherwise underwhelming Dry Creek Bed and added all Native Plants in that area including Clethera and Itea. I envisioned a very formal parterre garden surrounding a fountain and added evergreen to soften the structure. Boxwood Topiary were placed in the center of each quadrant. I suggested formal planters with clipped evergreen boxwood to dress up the front of the large garage and the pool areas. Over- all this property exudes old world charm and elegance.

Perched atop a garage on the second floor of a newly built condo, this expansive rooftop in Carroll Gardens felt almost too vast to comprehend. The design challenge was to create intimacy and human scale. A figure-eight path guides movement through a series of distinct garden rooms. Crisp, angular planters—some sunken, others raised—establish a dynamic visual rhythm that plays with elevation. A custom pergola defines the dining zone, while a built-in bench and L-shaped sofa create a quiet corner ideal for working outdoors. Year-round visual interest was a priority, especially from the interior, so conifers and ornamental grasses provide structure through the winter months.

Perched atop a garage on the second floor of a newly built condo, this expansive rooftop in Carroll Gardens felt almost too vast to comprehend. The design challenge was to create intimacy and human scale. A figure-eight path guides movement through a series of distinct garden rooms. Crisp, angular planters—some sunken, others raised—establish a dynamic visual rhythm that plays with elevation. A custom pergola defines the dining zone, while a built-in bench and L-shaped sofa create a quiet corner ideal for working outdoors. Year-round visual interest was a priority, especially from the interior, so conifers and ornamental grasses provide structure through the winter months.

Design ideas for a modern landscaping in Austin with a pergola.

Wood reclaimed from barns in upstate New York for the beams and cross-beams and Oklahoma flagstone brings a warm and rustic outdoor feel to this unique outdoor living space. This new addition complements the home as well as being reminiscent of the home owner’s Wisconsin house. Within you will discover a custom wood-fired pizza oven and outdoor fireplace built with the same stone. Completing this outdoor living space design, we included custom heaters and motorized retractable screens creating an enclosed patio so that the homeowners could enjoy their backyard year-round. Hidden within the archways, the screens are unnoticeable when the homeowners choose to enjoy the breeze. These screens can be installed on new structures, as well as retrofitted for pre-existing structures. One Specialty also constructed the retaining wall with archway, gate and fencing. The custom landscaping and landscape lighting finish the entire project. http://www.onespecialty.com/reclaimed-retreat/

Reclaimed wood box beams form a dramatic coffered tray ceiling in this contemporary family room, their warm honey-brown to reddish-brown tones and strongly grained faces creating a bold geometric ceiling feature that anchors the entire space. The depth and warmth of these antique timbers bring a richness to the room that no painted or manufactured ceiling treatment can replicate, proving that reclaimed wood belongs just as naturally in a modern interior as it does in a traditional one. Sourced from 19th and early 20th century structures, these box beams carry a naturally aged patina and honest grain that only old growth hardwoods develop over a century of use. Through our process of denailing, kiln drying, and precision milling, Manomin Resawn Timbers prepares these antique timbers to make a statement on any ceiling. Whether you are a homebuilder, a home remodeling contractor, or a homeowner looking to add reclaimed wood box beams to a contemporary family room ceiling, Manomin Resawn Timbers has been helping people discover the antique charm of reclaimed wood since 2002. We ship nationwide and are happy to help you find the right pieces from anywhere in the country. Visit our showroom in Hugo, MN or reach out to us with a call or a message to get started.

With this client who has been passionate about plants all his life, there was naturally a close collaboration and a lot of input from him. Upon closer inspection you'd find some very exceptional plants that are sort of experimental but "all worth the try" in Gordon's eyes. And he is right! I relished the opportunity to use Star Magnolia stellata, Redbud Cercis 'Avondale' and 'Silver Cloud', Arabian Lilac 'Grand Duke of Tuscany', Royal Bromeliad Vriesea imperialis, also many unusual bulbs such as Scilla. Besides structure providing shrubs and trees (Tecoma, existing Indian Hawthorne with beautiful structures, Sweet Pea Bush, Golden Breath of Heaven, Ilex, Ginkgo, Bronze Loquat etc.) you'll see here also my favorite perennials, succulents and grasses, all as low care and undemanding as well as low-water as possible, to keep the landscape colorful and interesting year round. One of the highlights of this garden are the dry stream beds, bird bath and garden bench that we added. Built originally by himself and his wife, the dry stream beds were overgrown, mostly hidden by plant debris, or half rolling down hill. We had fun selecting a mixed collection of colorful and richly textured boulders of various sizes over, and with the input from 7 team members: Gordon, me, the contractor, the supervisor and three workers, we re-created the stream beds, making sure that anchor stones on the sides were well embedded in the slope, and that stone shelves and “top dressing” with smaller pebbles would add to the visual interest. Now these beds form very pleasing architectural features that look like they have always been there. We were all surprised how quickly all plants adapted to the site and started growing and putting out bloom. Now the old birdbath, a traditional white thing with dove figurines resting on the scalloped bowl, looked out of place, and I suggested to replace it with a stone bowl. And that part of the garden just called for a bench under the Macademia nut tree, to observe the birds and contemplate the whole creation. Only stone would do, but not any stone! Gordon picked a Basalt boulder that was naturally bowl shaped. It’s so heavy that it took 8 men to heave it into place! The Basalt bench was not much lighter, and together they make a very inviting scene. This job should last for a while. Photographed by Emma Almendarez at http://www.emmatheodoraphotography.com/

The garden artfully blends classic and contemporary design to create a chic entry to the guesthouse and a secluded place for visitors to relax. Featuring clipped greens, terracotta pots, and gravel pathways, it bears the hallmarks of a traditional Mediterranean garden, but with an innovative twist. Furniture from Juniper House. Photo by Peter Valli