Photo by Ryann Ford
Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Austin.

Eden Arts
Inspiration for a mid-sized asian full sun backyard landscaping in Seattle with decking.

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

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

VictorEric
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary full sun front yard concrete paver landscaping in Vancouver for summer.

Island style patio photo in San Francisco

Stepping stones in a minimal gravel paved area lead past two lounge chairs to the intimate dining area. The herringbone-patterned limestone patio dissipates into a lush planting bed filled with loose swaths of shade-loving perennials and seasonal bulbs. Beech hedging, and formal clipped evergreens, surround the space and provide privacy, structure and winter interest to the garden. On axis to the main interior living space of the home, the fountain, is the focal point of the garden. A limestone water wall featuring an engraved pattern of fallen Honey Locust leaves nods to the centrally located mature Honey Locust tree that anchors the garden. Water, flowing down the wall, falls a short distance into a pool with a submerged limestone panel. The light noise of the falling water helps soften the sounds of the bustling downtown neighbourhood, creating a tranquil back drop for living and entertaining.

Ryann Ford
Inspiration for a transitional backyard rectangular pool remodel in Austin

This new residence was completed in 2019 features a modern style, luxury pool & spa along with an inviting outdoor living area. The front walk is enhanced by specimen globe boxwoods and lush landscaping along with a front porch seating area. The rear patio is covered by a louvered shade structure over an inviting outdoor living, kitchen and dining area. The pool and spa feature a modern look and fountain feature wall. The rear lawn is open to provide a play area for the kids and pets along with a generous driveway that allows for pickle ball and basketball.

Saturday June 27, 4:00 to 5:30pm | Manhattan Pool Farm by David Seiter of Future Green Studio High above Midtown Manhattan, this transformed rooftop pool is now a farm-to-table restaurant, the Press Lounge, offering guests a dazzling view of the New York City skyline. From the 19th floor of Ink Hotel, a beautifully designed edible garden is meticulously cared for to create seasonal food and drink options from ingredients grown onsite. Utilizing themes of material reuse and urban infill, this custom design and fabricated system of wood terraced planters transforms an underutilized rooftop pool into a dynamic private dining experience. The project is inspired by the structure of a sushi mat- with flexibility in one direction and rigidity in the other, the mat rolls fluidly from deck to bench to planter to wall. In an effort to make the project sustainable and cost effective, ipe wood decking was salvaged from a recent renovation and repurposed. The planting palette was selected in consultation with the restaurant’s chef, professional forager and a rooftop farmer in order to orchestrate the edible garden with unique seasonal food and drink menus. A small slice of paradise has been found in Hell’s Kitchen. Photo by K•Taro Hashimura

Pergola, Trellis Lighting
Design ideas for a small rustic partial sun side yard stone garden path in Salt Lake City for summer.

Photos: Lane Dittoe Build: Christiano Homes Interiors/ Styling: Mindy Gayer Design
Farmhouse patio photo in Orange County

Car pad, newly planted(3 months, certainly not complete. Of interest is the "turfblock" filled with gravel and seeded in the spring or fall with grass allowing heavy traffic passage

Pool - transitional pool idea in Austin

This is an example of an asian side yard garden path in Portland.

Inspiration for a contemporary family room remodel in Phoenix with yellow walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Photography: Jeri Koegel / Design: Elaine Iverson - Iverson Designs
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean backyard stone patio remodel in Orange County with a fire pit and a roof extension

The client loves flowers and prefers bold colors. Perennials, grasses and stonecrop provide just that from late spring until frost. Dwarf conifers and landscape rocks give the garden structure, especially during wintertime.

I always use and recommend accent pieces in every yard and garden I design. These become the focal points that give a space personality and interest. Many are functional...benches, gates, sheds, birdhouses etc. But some are placed for beauty and fun. Choose a few tasteful accents to give your yard and garden the WOW factor.