Patio - contemporary patio idea in Seattle

jenna muirhead
Photo of a southwestern landscaping in Toronto.

The property is one of the original farm houses located on the main street of a small town. It has been in the family for many years and our client just inherited the property. They were trying to have balance of preserving the old while realizing modern day living has its benefits too. The house had a large addition added using mostly old style materials, but designed with function and modern day luxuries. Our goal was to carry that theme to the outside. Our first problem we had to address was how to transition between the first floor elevation changes. The lower room was the husband’s office. He stated in the future he may have clients over and it would be nice to have an area to sit outside. The wife’s main concern was to renew the four corner garden. She also felt it was very important to be able to see it from the kitchen area. Finally there was an old wishing well stuck right outside the kitchen. They both felt it would be neat to be able to incorporate this in some how. They wanted a patio area with a built in grill to accommodate there family and friends. They also wanted to keep a large play area for the kids. We were able to pull this off successfully. We addressed the first issue by having a small lower level flagstone area. This area is large enough for 1 to 2 people to sit comfortably. It also provides a transition from his office to the larger patio area. We installed a simple small gravel sitting area opposite of the main patio. This provides our client a secluded place to relax or do business. Mrs.... told me she is amazed how much her and her husband enjoys this area. It is so peaceful looking at the small creek over a glass of wine. We built a natural limestone retaining wall to create the patio terrace. The stone was chosen to extend the houses architectural elements into the landscape. Irregular broken flagstone was used to give it a more casual feel. We installed three Serviceberries into the patio terrace to replace some trees that were taken down during the remodeling. She was very concern that they would block the view of the four corner garden. We new they were crucial to nestle in the terrace, so we placed them for a couple days for her to decide. Fortunately she agreed they not only kept the view open, but helped frame the garden. The four corner garden was designed to be viewed from afar and experienced up close. We wanted the space to have some formal structure while keeping with the casual farm house feel. Another natural limestone retaining wall was created. This leveled the garden terrace and helped associate it with the rest of the property. The four corner garden is nestled into the existing woods edge. This provides three distinct experiences to entering the garden; a more formal from the driveway, an open feel from the lower lawn, and a more natural / casual experience from the wooded area. The Plymouth brown gravel was used for the center of the garden. This helped highlight the stone post that was found during construction. The gravel also brings the sense of sound into the garden space. Lamb’s ear was chosen as a fun way to get kids interest in horticulture. The balance of using the new to create the old feel is what makes this project a success. The property has already hosted a local historical society event and won an award for its preservation efforts. When Mrs.... can’t find her husband, she knows he is either reading the newspaper by the grill or resting in the hammock along the wood’s path.

A rectangular seating area lies in the back of the garden, at the end of the pathway. The backer board clad knee wall defines the space. The planter filled with bamboo signifies the journey through the garden and tells a story, one of man's conquest of nature and its reintroduction on human terms. The rebar in front of the planter mimics the shape of the bamboo. Photo by Jay Sifford

Andrew Giammarco
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Tuscan courtyard patio fountain photo in Phoenix with no cover

Photo by Joe Fletcher
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This classic style garden structure was installed a the 1994 Atlanta Symphony Decorators Show House. Design by Landscape Architect Steve Brewer.
This is an example of a large traditional backyard landscaping in Atlanta.

Chinoise botanical wallpaper and bamboo lights present a lively textural contrast within this 1753 home’s historic structure. The young family who lives here craved rich colors and vibrant patterns, influenced by their appreciation for Asian art and love of gardening. Sculptural lighting pieces brighten the previously-dark interiors with an interplay between contemporary and traditional aesthetics. Custom built-ins provide important function for the family while serving to divide large open spaces and offer degrees of privacy. A playful adult bar was created in the original dining room, featuring bold blue “Garden Pagoda” wallpaper, a custom cut Carrara marble bar top, and furnishings and accessories in contrasting and complimentary styles.

--Historic / National Landmark --House designed by prominent architect Frederick R. Schock, 1924 --Grounds designed and constructed by: Arrow. Land + Structures in Spring/Summer of 2017 --Photography: Marco Romani, RLA State Licensed Landscape Architect

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional partial sun backyard brick landscaping in Houston for summer.

Expansive detached outdoor entertainment structure with fireplace and BBQ cook center/kitchen area. Granite slab counter tops throughout and custom Ipe wood drawers, trims, and doors. Natural limestone tile paving throughout. Design: AMS Landscape Design Studios, Inc. / Photography: Jeri Koegel

A modern screen porch beautifully links this Wellesley home to its Garden. Extending overhangs that are clad in red cedar emphasize the indoor – outdoor connection and keep direct sun out of the interior. The grey granite floor pavers extend seamlessly from the inside to the outside. A custom designed steel truss with stainless steel cable supports the roof. The insect screen is black nylon for maximum transparency. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

Ryann Ford
Inspiration for a cottage home design remodel in Austin

This Greek Revival row house in Boerum Hill was previously owned by a local architect who renovated it several times, including the addition of a two-story steel and glass extension at the rear. The new owners came to us seeking to restore the house and its original formality, while adapting it to the modern needs of a family of five. The detailing of the 25 x 36 foot structure had been lost and required some sleuthing into the history of Greek Revival style in historic Brooklyn neighborhoods. In addition to completely re-framing the interior, the house also required a new south-facing brick façade due to significant deterioration. The modern extension was replaced with a more traditionally detailed wood and copper- clad bay, still open to natural light and the garden view without sacrificing comfort. The kitchen was relocated from the first floor to the garden level with an adjacent formal dining room. Both rooms were enlarged from their previous iterations to accommodate weekly dinners with extended family. The kitchen includes a home office and breakfast nook that doubles as a homework station. The cellar level was further excavated to accommodate finished storage space and a playroom where activity can be monitored from the kitchen workspaces. The parlor floor is now reserved for entertaining. New pocket doors can be closed to separate the formal front parlor from the more relaxed back portion, where the family plays games or watches TV together. At the end of the hall, a powder room with brass details, and a luxe bar with antique mirrored backsplash and stone tile flooring, leads to the deck and direct garden access. Because of the property width, the house is able to provide ample space for the interior program within a shorter footprint. This allows the garden to remain expansive, with a small lawn for play, an outdoor food preparation area with a cast-in-place concrete bench, and a place for entertaining towards the rear. The newly designed landscaping will continue to develop, further enhancing the yard’s feeling of escape, and filling-in the views from the kitchen and back parlor above. A less visible, but equally as conscious, addition is a rooftop PV solar array that provides nearly 100% of the daily electrical usage, with the exception of the AC system on hot summer days. The well-appointed interiors connect the traditional backdrop of the home to a youthful take on classic design and functionality. The materials are elegant without being precious, accommodating a young, growing family. Unique colors and patterns provide a feeling of luxury while inviting inhabitants and guests to relax and enjoy this classic Brooklyn brownstone. This project won runner-up in the architecture category for the 2017 NYC&G Innovation in Design Awards and was featured in The American House: 100 Contemporary Homes. Photography by Francis Dzikowski / OTTO

Inspiration for a large contemporary rooftop outdoor kitchen deck remodel in Chicago with a pergola

A modern screen porch beautifully links this Wellesley home to its Garden. Extending overhangs that are clad in red cedar emphasize the indoor – outdoor connection and keep direct sun out of the interior. The grey granite floor pavers extend seamlessly from the inside to the outside. A custom designed steel truss with stainless steel cable supports the roof. The insect screen is black nylon for maximum transparency. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

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