Inspiration for a small contemporary partial sun backyard concrete paver and wood fence formal garden in Toronto for summer.

And if you happen to get cold while you're whale watching from your deck...just turn on the fire! This stunning home is located just above the beach in the desirable Rio Del Mar neighborhood in Aptos. My client poured her soul into the remodel which took the home down to studs. She has impeccable, contemporary taste and the home is a piece of art. We needed exquisite landscaping to tie the outside to the inside. Deeply contrasting and textural foliage-based design, copper gutters, and gorgeous light sconces now set off this contemporary gem. For the steep back hillside, we opted to do a hillside restoration and chose plants that existed in coastal terrace ecosystem prior to development. We removed tons of invasive iceplant and the whole hillside now buzzing with hummingbirds and pollinators, in addition to framing the ocean view with an undulating tapestry of plants. You can actually see spouting whales from the deck!

Tall angular pot in a bold color contrasts well with the rest of the design. This stunning home is located just above the beach in the desirable Rio Del Mar neighborhood in Aptos. My client poured her soul into the remodel which took the home down to studs. She has impeccable, contemporary taste and the home is a piece of art. We needed exquisite landscaping to tie the outside to the inside. Deeply contrasting and textural foliage-based design, copper gutters, and gorgeous light sconces now set off this contemporary gem. For the steep back hillside, we opted to do a hillside restoration and chose plants that existed in coastal terrace ecosystem prior to development. We removed tons of invasive iceplant and the whole hillside now buzzing with hummingbirds and pollinators, in addition to framing the ocean view with an undulating tapestry of plants. You can actually see spouting whales from the deck!

Hillside coastal terrace restoration, designed to stabilize the bank while drawing pollinators and native animals. This stunning home is located just above the beach in the desirable Rio Del Mar neighborhood in Aptos. My client poured her soul into the remodel which took the home down to studs. She has impeccable, contemporary taste and the home is a piece of art. We needed exquisite landscaping to tie the outside to the inside. Deeply contrasting and textural foliage-based design, copper gutters, and gorgeous light sconces now set off this contemporary gem. For the steep back hillside, we opted to do a hillside restoration and chose plants that existed in coastal terrace ecosystem prior to development. We removed tons of invasive iceplant and the whole hillside now buzzing with hummingbirds and pollinators, in addition to framing the ocean view with an undulating tapestry of plants. You can actually see spouting whales from the deck!

Deeply contrasting and textural foliage-based design, copper gutters, and gorgeous light sconces. This stunning home is located just above the beach in the desirable Rio Del Mar neighborhood in Aptos. My client poured her soul into the remodel which took the home down to studs. She has impeccable, contemporary taste and the home is a piece of art. We needed exquisite landscaping to tie the outside to the inside. Deeply contrasting and textural foliage-based design, copper gutters, and gorgeous light sconces now set off this contemporary gem. For the steep back hillside, we opted to do a hillside restoration and chose plants that existed in coastal terrace ecosystem prior to development. We removed tons of invasive iceplant and the whole hillside now buzzing with hummingbirds and pollinators, in addition to framing the ocean view with an undulating tapestry of plants. You can actually see spouting whales from the deck!

Persicaria 'Painter's Palette' Le jardinet

Side stairway of poured-in-place concrete that leads to small concrete patio. To gain more usable space in this narrow landscape and update the hardscaping and overgrown garden, my design reconfigured the pathway with poured-in-place concrete pavers accented by Mexican pebbles and a stunning variety of succulents and other site-appropriate plantings that thrive in shade and part sun. We removed the tree to create a patio area large enough to fit a table and chairs for a small group. Non-invasive/clumping Bamboo was added to help screen the patio and provide privacy. Other shade to part-shade plants were included that provide a variety of textures and colors throughout the seasons. Low-voltage lighting was installed for safety and ambiance. Design and Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Photo © Jude Parkinson-Morgan
Patio - large transitional backyard concrete patio idea in San Francisco with a fire pit and no cover

Terran Landscapes http://www.terranlandscapes.com Project Entry: Fishers Woodland Garden 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Theme Garden $15,000-$30,000 Award Level: Bronze Photo Description: We were contracted by the client to design a calming space for their staff to relax, take a walk, and enjoy a leisurely lunch as well as to provide their grandchildren a place to run and pick flowers. The space was originally dominated by large trees and had been overgrown with ivy, sumac and aggressive vines, providing an unwelcome, dark space with little color or visual appeal. The client requested a colorful blend of shrubs and perennials that would provide interest throughout the seasons, as well as provide privacy by screening the street traffic along Carisbrooke Road. Our goal was to create the privacy screen along the road by layering plants from the ground to the tree canopy. The theme was to let nature inspire the landscape, allowing a space that was originally woodland to become an enhanced version of itself, creating a beautiful habitat for birds and butterflies to excite the senses and satisfy all who enjoy the beauty of nature. We began by clearing the brush and removing all aggressive vines and ivy that jeopardized the health of the trees. We kept and transplanted all non- invasive or native plant material in the area to various locations throughout the property. Several yards of compost were then tilled into the soil and the existing trees fertilized to provide a rich growing environment. A few challenges occurred during the design process. It was decided that a new generator was to be installed in the woodland and due to a future addition to the house, we were forced to eliminate planned additional impervious pathway surfaces. We provided screening to hide the generator and buffer the noise, and created a meandering path and sitting area out of natural woodchips instead of the proposed bluestone to solve the impervious space issue. The woodchips add a sense of informality and invite the viewer to walk slowly through the space. The reduced noise from the additional screening of the generator allows for quiet reflection as chipmunks scurry and hummingbirds dart about between the flowers. Our plant palette consists of shady understory plants that thrive and flower vigorously from spring through fall. A tall, lush, evergreen backdrop of Ilex opaca and Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’ provides the screening and blends into a middle layer of ‘Ivory Halo’ dogwood, hydrangeas and winterberry hollies. Beautiful perennials and groundcovers bloom along the woodland path, providing a low visual layer of color and texture. Movement throughout the garden is provided by the graceful Calamagrostis brachytricha and Hakenchloa that soften the nearby hardscaping. The woodland floor is full of shade-loving Solomon’s seal, hosta, astilbe, ferns, bleeding heart, Tiarella and Aconitum. The street side of this woodland required plants with a preference for a little more sun and drought tolerance. A palette of oakleaf hydrangea, Agastache, Liatris and Rudbeckia softens the fence line and provides the desired color. As designed and installed, the woodland garden successfully provides the client’s family and office staff a quiet space where they can take a peaceful moment and enjoy nature. Photo Credit: Lisa C. Falls

In this project we took a tired old drafty, leaky and an invasive black mold that was in the shower area and brought it back to life !!! Customer had approached us with a common problem (lose tiles) and some mold in the grout joints. This led to a complete gut and rebuild first of the shower area and then the ball rolled from there upgrading the tired old bathroom in the process as well, reusing the tub, all the valves , toilet and bidet. Out with the grey 4x4 tiles from the walls and tub surround, the plastic shower floor base, and 8x8 white floor tiles… The previous situation had a rough built cedar wood vanity which we upgraded to the white oak full of drawers you see before you… We retained cedar as trim for the existing windows and ceiling to maintain the integrity of the original space. Thanks Roz & Ernie for this opportunity…

Sweet Autumn Clematis adorns the fence of the Kitchen Garden, and lends a sweet fragrance to the area in the fall months. Christine Darnell Gardens
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun courtyard gravel vegetable garden landscape in New York.

In this project we took a tired old drafty, leaky and an invasive black mold that was in the shower area and brought it back to life !!! Customer had approached us with a common problem (lose tiles) and some mold in the grout joints. This led to a complete gut and rebuild first of the shower area and then the ball rolled from there upgrading the tired old bathroom in the process as well, reusing the tub, all the valves , toilet and bidet. Out with the grey 4x4 tiles from the walls and tub surround, the plastic shower floor base, and 8x8 white floor tiles… The previous situation had a rough built cedar wood vanity which we upgraded to the white oak full of drawers you see before you… We retained cedar as trim for the existing windows and ceiling to maintain the integrity of the original space. Thanks Roz & Ernie for this opportunity…

To gain more usable space in this narrow landscape and update the hardscaping and overgrown garden, my design reconfigured the pathway with poured-in-place concrete pavers accented by Mexican pebbles and a stunning variety of succulents and other site-appropriate plantings that thrive in shade and part sun. We removed the tree to create a patio area large enough to fit a table and chairs for a small group. Non-invasive/clumping Bamboo was added to help screen the patio and provide privacy. Other shade to part-shade plants were included that provide a variety of textures and colors throughout the seasons. Low-voltage lighting was installed for safety and ambiance. Design and Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Inspiration for a mediterranean landscaping in San Diego.

This project was all about resurfacing an existing deck, which provides a significant amount of benefits, including: - Enhanced Aesthetics: A deck resurfacing project can transform the appearance of the deck, giving it a fresh and modern look that can significantly improve the curb appeal of the entire home. - Cost Savings: Resurfacing is often more cost-effective than completely rebuilding a deck. It allows homeowners to achieve a like-new appearance without the expense of a full replacement. - Increased Durability: New materials used in resurfacing are designed to be more resistant to wear, fading, and the elements, resulting in a longer lifespan for the deck. - Improved Safety: Addressing structural issues during the resurfacing process ensures the deck's safety and stability, reducing the risk of accidents. - Less Disruption: Compared to a full deck replacement, resurfacing typically involves less disruption to the homeowner's daily routine, as it's a faster and less invasive process. - Customization: Homeowners can choose from a wide range of materials, colors, and finishes to match their design preferences and complement their home's style. - Environmentally Friendly: Resurfacing reduces the amount of old material that needs to be disposed of, making it a more environmentally conscious option. By undertaking a deck resurfacing project, homeowners can rejuvenate their outdoor space, enjoy a beautiful and functional deck for years to come and increase the overall value of their property.

This is an example of a southwestern landscaping in Phoenix.

Photo by Barbara Wilson Landscape Architect, LLC A small residential, seaside property located on Fairfield Beach, Fairfield was renovated by the new owners and adapted for their active family. Barbara was the landscape architect in charge of all of the landscape elements upgrades. She designed new bluestone curving paths to access the front and side doors and designed new landscape lighting to enhance the walks. The existing trees were saved and she designed new shade and salt-tolerant plantings which were added to provide seasonal color and interest while respecting the existing plantings. Along the beach front additional native beach grasses were added to stabilize the dunes while removing some invasive plantings. This work will be phased over the next few years in an effort to keep the sand stable. Beach roses were incorporated into a hollow in the dunes. A small lawn area was renovated and the surrounding Black Pines pruned to provide a small play area and respite from the sun. Beautiful reblooming hydrangeas line the edge of the gravel driveway. Rounded beach stones were used instead of mulch in the island planting along the edge of the adjacent road planted with Miscanthus, Mugo pine and yucca. Barbara designed a custom kayak rack, custom garbage enclosure, a new layout of the existing wooden deck to facilitate access to the side doors, and detailed how to renovate the front door into only an emergency access with new railings and steps. She coordinating obtaining bids and then supervised the installation of all elements for the new landscape the project. The interiors were designed by Jack Montgomery Design of Greenwich, CT and NYC . Tree work was completed by Bartlett Tree Experts. Freddy’s Landscape Company of Fairfield, CT installed the new plantings, installed all the new masonry work and provides landscape maintenance services. JT Low Voltage and Electric installed the landscape lighting.

This minimalistic landscape design of grasses and concrete allow the dominate form of the residence shine. Photography Credit: Wade Griffith
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern full sun front yard landscaping in Dallas for summer.