Huge farmhouse backyard decomposed granite patio photo in San Francisco with a fire pit and no cover

Duy Tran Photography
Inspiration for a large timeless backyard stone patio remodel in DC Metro with a fire pit and no cover

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard stone landscaping in San Francisco.

3,800sf, 4 bdrm, 3.5 bath with oversized 4 car garage and over 270sf Loggia; climate controlled wine room and bar, Tech Room, landscaping and pool. Solar, high efficiency HVAC and insulation was used which resulted in huge rebates from utility companies, enhancing the ROI. The challenge with this property was the downslope lot, sewer system was lower than main line at the street thus requiring a special pump system. Retaining walls to create a flat usable back yard. ESI Builders is a subsidiary of EnergyWise Solutions, Inc. and was formed by Allan, Bob and Dave to fulfill an important need for quality home builders and remodeling services in the Sacramento region. With a strong and growing referral base, we decided to provide a convenient one-stop option for our clients and focus on combining our key services: quality custom homes and remodels, turnkey client partnering and communication, and energy efficient and environmentally sustainable measures in all we do. Through energy efficient appliances and fixtures, solar power, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, enhanced insulation and sealing, and other construction elements – we go beyond simple code compliance and give you immediate savings and greater sustainability for your new or remodeled home. All of the design work and construction tasks for our clients are done by or supervised by our highly trained, professional staff. This not only saves you money, it provides a peace of mind that all of the details are taken care of and the job is being done right – to Perfection. Our service does not stop after we clean up and drive off. We continue to provide support for any warranty issues that arise and give you administrative support as needed in order to assure you obtain any energy-related tax incentives or rebates. This ‘One call does it all’ philosophy assures that your experience in remodeling or upgrading your home is an enjoyable one. ESI Builders was formed by professionals with varying backgrounds and a common interest to provide you, our clients, with options to live more comfortably, save money, and enjoy quality homes for many years to come. As our company continues to grow and evolve, the expertise has been quickly growing to include several job foreman, tradesmen, and support staff. In response to our growth, we will continue to hire well-qualified staff and we will remain committed to maintaining a level of quality, attention to detail, and pursuit of perfection.

Photo: Ty Cole
Living room - large traditional open concept dark wood floor living room idea in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace

For more photos of this project see: MACBRAE
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in San Francisco.

'Gourmet' orange bell peppers growing in a 5-gallon terra-cotta pot. Photo by Steve Masley.
Inspiration for an eclectic deck remodel in San Francisco

When a 7 year old Brooklyn hip-kid is also an animal lover, you get this woodland boy's room, designed to grow and maximize storage. This small kid's bedroom features a storage bed, wall shelves, a spacious desk hutch, and a storage ottoman to accommodate ample toys and books, as well as a custom designed closet to suit a growing child's needs. Hipster Animals removable wallpaper is fun for a 7 year old, but still cheeky and cool enough for a teen. And while woodland animals abound, they are balanced by mature decor elements like neutral colors, dark blues, boyish plaid, and chic wool and leather textures meant to grow with child. This room is one of our favorite small space designs - it's fun, personalized, and makes the space look bigger--while also providing storage and function. Photo credits: Erin Coren, ASID, Curated Nest Interiors

Vines now cascade down the stucco retaining wall from ipe-faced planters and irises fill in behind the water channel. Lilies and lotuses fill the upper and lower pools.

A fountain of strawberries nestles above the herbs, freeing them from disease as they hang over the rim of the pot. Cathy Edger, Edger Landscape Design

Inspiration for a shabby-chic style hallway remodel in Gothenburg

Cathy Stancil Photography
This is an example of a transitional front yard landscaping in San Francisco.

Dahlia Jescot Julie, Dahlia Karma Choc, Dahlia Cornel Brons

Raymond Bray
This is an example of a large traditional partial sun backyard stone garden path for summer.

The landscape design for this private residence brings together a diverse array of elements to create an ethereal, multi-sensory experience where sound, movement, colour and scent are simultaneously evoked. Shielded by a forty foot hedge, the site challenged us to create an exterior, yet interior, world where Asian and Western influences intersect. In honouring the traditions of Feng Shui, the retaining wall does not sit directly on the entrance. Meditation pathways lead to areas of retreat and socialization (including an outdoor fire, a restored pool and covered seating area). An ergonomic garden and potting station lined with fruit trees allows the client to grow her own plants and vegetables. A multi-leveled water feature is framed with lush camellias and peonies; the landscape is lined with evergreens and decorated with Chinese basalt and local granite. The multi-sensory design comes to life in the grove of Shirofugen cherry trees as it sheds its petals to the music of a custom Corten steel wind chime sculpture made by English artist David Harber. A weather station was placed on site for a month to determine the weight of the chimes—each one set to the pentatonic scale. This is a space where our clients can grow and evolve their lives with the seasons.

We refer to this style of garden as "basic," but it has all the features of a great growing space. You'll find raised beds filled with quality organic soil, rugged construction using natural (untreated) lumber, animal resistant fencing w/ground barrier, simple good looks, hinged gate with latch for easy access, and isles lined with weed block/crushed stone. At the same time, because we forgo some of the premium features of our "classic" gardens, our "basic" gardens and available at excellent prices.

A purple hyacinth bean vine (Lablab purpureus) drapes one of the gateways. Planted as an annual in Pennsylvania it will grow up to 20’ in a season, producing purple/pink flowers and fabulous purple pods all summer long. The leaves, flowers and pods look beautiful both clambering on the fence and in mixed bouquets.