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Mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor great room photo in Chicago with blue walls

Ben Gebo Photography
Bedroom - coastal dark wood floor bedroom idea in Boston with blue walls

Aaron Leitz
Living room - transitional living room idea in San Francisco with a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace

Urban open concept and formal living room photo in DC Metro with black walls

When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

Photo Credit: Tamara Flanagan
Example of a large country freestanding desk medium tone wood floor home studio design in Boston with white walls

Jennifer Hughes Photography
Transitional black brick exterior home idea in Baltimore

Lower Level Sitting Room off the bedroom with silver grey limestone at varying lengths & widths (existing fireplace location), slepper sofa & wall mount swivel sconces. Glen Delman Photography www.glendelman.com

Centered around a brilliant water landscape, the open layout of the main level utilizes impressive architectural ceiling treatments and columns to define spaces, while rich trim details and custom cabinetry show off thoughtful and intricate design gestures. Photography credit: Ashley Avila

Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with an island

Transitional laundry room photo in Chicago

Photography: Ryan Garvin
Beach style galley multicolored floor dedicated laundry room photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and gray countertops

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Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor bedroom remodel in Houston with gray walls

The boys can climb the walls and swing from the ceiling in this playroom designed for indoor activity. When the toys are removed it can easily convert to the party barn with two sets of mahogany double doors that open out onto a patio in the front of the house and a poolside deck on the waterside.

This project represents the evolution of a 10 acre space over more than three decades. It began with the pool and space around it. As the vegetable garden grew, the orchard was established and the display gardens blossomed. The prairie was restored and a kitchen was added to complete the space. Although, it continues to change with a pond next on the design plan. Photo credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

Photo: Rachel Loewen © 2018 Houzz
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Modern/Contemporary "Crestwood Oasis" cabinets in "Belmont" slab door style, made of Teak wood with natural finish. Lynx appliances and grill.
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