mikaela ruth

Inspiration for a large timeless slate floor front door remodel in New York with a dark wood front door

Large minimalist beige two-story mixed siding exterior home photo in Austin with a hip roof

Example of a classic detached two-car garage design in DC Metro

Set in a forest in the Sierra Mountains, this contemporary home uses transparent window walls between stone forms to bring the outdoors in. The barrel-vaulted metal roof is supported by a steel and timber exposed structure. Photo by Vance Fox

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.

Patio - traditional brick patio idea in New York with no cover

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.

View from driveway looking at existing house built with new three-car garage addition. Brandywine Studio LLC
Example of a cottage stone exterior home design in Philadelphia

Photography by Jorge Alvarez.
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor seated home bar remodel in Tampa with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood countertops, gray backsplash, mirror backsplash and brown countertops

Our clients needed a small dining table only for special occasions. They had a brilliant idea to create a pedestal coffee table for every day use that could be transformed into a dining table. By adding two half-circle shaped leaves and raising the steel swivel base to the right height, the coffee table becomes a dining table for four. Photo Credit: Holland Photography - Cory Holland - Hollandphotography.biz

ceramic pots, grasses, gravel path, outdoor furniture, succulents, tuscan
Inspiration for a mediterranean partial sun gravel garden path in Santa Barbara.

Home design - rustic home design idea

Example of a mid-sized transitional beige one-story stone gable roof design in Austin

Design ideas for a traditional brick formal garden in Boston.

Fairview Builders, LLC
Large rustic brown wood gable roof idea

Shoot2Sell Photography, Inc.
Traditional two-story brick exterior home idea in Dallas with a hip roof

Chris Marona-Photos
Inspiration for a rustic patio remodel in Denver

Photography by Lucas Henning.
Garage - craftsman two-story wood gray garage idea in Seattle