The informal seating area in the front yard invites the gardener to rest in vibrant Blu Dot 'Hot Mesh' furniture amidst lush columnar apple trees, ceramic pots, and custom sculptural Corten steel beds hosting vegetables and dwarf blueberry shrubs. A seatwall clad in 'Mt. Moriah' ledge stone contains the space, punctuated by a large 'Windsor' boulder with native Polypodium californicum ferns at its feet. Photo © Jude Parkinson-Morgan.

Dutton Architects did an extensive renovation of a post and beam mid-century modern house in the canyons of Beverly Hills. The house was brought down to the studs, with new interior and exterior finishes, windows and doors, lighting, etc. A secure exterior door allows the visitor to enter into a garden before arriving at a glass wall and door that leads inside, allowing the house to feel as if the front garden is part of the interior space. Similarly, large glass walls opening to a new rear gardena and pool emphasizes the indoor-outdoor qualities of this house. photos by Undine Prohl

Decomposed Granite path between Giant Sequoias leads to repurposed, reshaped and stained rear concrete slab. Micro-climate appropriate plants complete the picture. Photo by Ketti Kupper.

James Kruger, LandMark Photography Interior Design: Martha O'Hara Interiors Architect: Sharratt Design & Company
Example of a large french country open concept and formal dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in Minneapolis with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Talk about a spectacular creation! Our SYNLawn artificial grass, with its diagonal lines in the driveway, helps to seamlessly carry the color green across the front of this home in Hawaii. The eye is drawn from the colorful blooms on the left to the towering palm trees on the right. © SYNLawn artificial grass - all rights reserved.

Mid-sized transitional white two-story brick exterior home photo in Atlanta with a shingle roof

Photo: Lucy Call © 2014 Houzz Design: Imbue Design
Inspiration for a contemporary open concept concrete floor living room remodel in Salt Lake City with blue walls, no fireplace and no tv

Inspiration for a timeless two-story brick exterior home remodel in Dallas

Patrick Coulie
Example of a large trendy master concrete floor and yellow floor bedroom design in Albuquerque with beige walls and no fireplace

u2014 ALE: Wayne Rain Garden Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association u2014 ALE: Wayne Rain Garden Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence winner Category: Residential Up to $15,000 Award Level: Gold Project Description: Our company was contracted by the client to provide a creative solution to an ongoing drainage problem. Their property is located within 30 feet of a local stream that collects storm water from the surrounding area. The nearby stream and high water table caused the lawn area at the side of their home to flood and to remain waterlogged for a few days after each storm. The client not only had difficulty growing plants in the existing conditions, but also had a problem with mosquitoes due to standing water. Our goal was to design a self-contained, naturalistic rain garden that slowed storm water runoff, allowed for percolation, and promoted infiltration while permitting excess clean water to enter the nearby stream with diminished force. As designed, the rain garden allows the earth to slowly and more naturally absorb excess storm water while filtering out toxins such as excess nitrogen and phosphorous which are frequently found in the landscape, therefore reducing the contaminants entering the stream. A percolation test was conducted with criteria of absorbing a one-inch rainstorm within four hours without overflow. The one-inch storm calculation included an existing downspout from the home, which would be piped into the rain garden to reduce roof runoff. The first test failed due to a deep layer of high clay-content soil. Excavation continued until a layer of sandy loam was reached, the percolation test was repeated, and a successful test result was achieved. Next, the entire rain garden basin was excavated to the sandy loam layer and the soil amended with compost and sand to create a highly porous planting media. Geotextile fabric was placed to help reduce migration of the surface stone into the soil and allow for minimal maintenance. Gravel, river stone and small boulders were carefully placed to achieve the look of a natural streambed. A palette of mostly native plants with a few non-invasive ornamentals were chosen for their ability to survive in extreme conditions ranging from floods to drought and were placed according to their specific preferences. Wetland plants were chosen for the lowest portion of the rain garden as that area remains saturated for longer periods of time, with a Chionanthus virginicus as a focal point surrounded by irises and ferns at the lowest depth. Plants tolerant of drier conditions were chosen for the upper edges of the garden. The beautiful colors of Monarda, Ligularia, Eupatorium, Solidago, Chelone, and Rudbeckia were scattered within the upper edge, while movement and softness were incorporated by use of the graceful Nassella that lines the border. Finally, winter interest was provided with a backdrop of Cornus sericea. As built, this small rain garden creates tremendous impact by decreasing the amount of storm water runoff not only on our client's property, but also in the neighboring stream. It serves as a means of slowing the water and providing an area for infiltration back into the earth. The plants provide a habitat for birds, butterflies, and insects, working in harmony with nature and providing beautiful visual interest year-round. Photo Credit: Lisa C. Falls

Photos by Kaity
Example of a trendy concrete paver patio design in Grand Rapids with a fire pit and no cover

A simple desert plant palette complements the clean Modernist lines of this Arcadia-area home. Architect C.P. Drewett says the exterior color palette lightens the residence’s sculptural forms. “We also painted it in the springtime,” Drewett adds. “It’s a time of such rejuvenation, and every time I’m involved in a color palette during spring, it reflects that spirit.” Featured in the November 2008 issue of Phoenix Home & Garden, this "magnificently modern" home is actually a suburban loft located in Arcadia, a neighborhood formerly occupied by groves of orange and grapefruit trees in Phoenix, Arizona. The home, designed by architect C.P. Drewett, offers breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain from the entire main floor, guest house, and pool area. These main areas "loft" over a basement level featuring 4 bedrooms, a guest room, and a kids' den. Features of the house include white-oak ceilings, exposed steel trusses, Eucalyptus-veneer cabinetry, honed Pompignon limestone, concrete, granite, and stainless steel countertops. The owners also enlisted the help of Interior Designer Sharon Fannin. The project was built by Sonora West Development of Scottsdale, AZ.

Location: Atlanta, Georgia - Historical Inman Park Scope: This home was a new home we developed and built in Atlanta, GA. The pool's water feature is centered on the 12' slider door in the living room to bring the sound of the sheer falls into the home. The pool is a black plaster, polished aggregate pool. It is zero entry as well with a umbrella holder in the pool so it can be used to place chairs in for lounging. High performance / green building certifications: EPA Energy Star Certified Home, EarthCraft Certified Home - Gold, NGBS Green Certified Home - Gold, Department of Energy Net Zero Ready Home, GA Power Earthcents Home, EPA WaterSense Certified Home Builder/Developer: Heirloom Design Build Architect: Jones Pierce Interior Design/Decorator: Heirloom Design Build Photo Credit: D. F. Radlmann www.heirloomdesignbuild.com

Photo of a transitional water fountain landscape in Dallas.

1960s l-shaped brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Other with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, wood countertops, green backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Paint by Sherwin Williams Body Color - Anonymous - SW 7046 Accent Color - Urban Bronze - SW 7048 Trim Color - Worldly Gray - SW 7043 Front Door Stain - Northwood Cabinets - Custom Truffle Stain Exterior Stone by Eldorado Stone Stone Product Rustic Ledge in Clearwater Outdoor Fireplace by Heat & Glo Doors by Western Pacific Building Materials Windows by Milgard Windows & Doors Window Product Style Line® Series Window Supplier Troyco - Window & Door Lighting by Destination Lighting Garage Doors by NW Door Decorative Timber Accents by Arrow Timber Timber Accent Products Classic Series LAP Siding by James Hardie USA Fiber Cement Shakes by Nichiha USA Construction Supplies via PROBuild Landscaping by GRO Outdoor Living Customized & Built by Cascade West Development Photography by ExposioHDR Portland Original Plans by Alan Mascord Design Associates

Shelly Harrison
Beach style home design photo in Boston

Bay House - Stair
Staircase - contemporary staircase idea in Seattle