A small front yard re-imagined: an old lawn to a serene Japanese garden
Inspiration for a small asian front yard gravel landscaping in Los Angeles.

This early-phase Japanese-inspired garden draws from the Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist philosophies and combines the basic elements of plants, water, and rocks along with simple, clean lines to create a tranquil backyard retreat. Plant material used includes Japanese varieties of trees, shrubs and perennials woven together to create interest throughout each season.

A long view of the Japanese-inspired dry creek bed. In this photo, you can see how the metaphorical flow of water as mimicked by the stacked-on-end flagstone constricts, then expands as it responds to the larger boulders and plants on the bank. Photo by Jay Sifford.

The homeowners wanted to achieve a larger shower, better storage and more vanity space, as well as retain a tub. They also wanted a better integration of the master bath & bedroom. The preferred aesthetic was a warm, comfortable, spa-like space. This quickly led to the concept of a Japanese bath. As the design work began, there was a necessity to bring a soothing sound of flowing water into the bath. The spa feel was further enhanced with the incorporation of teak vanities, stone tile, a Japanese soaking tub and Shoji screen inspired door to the water closet. This relaxing theme flowed into the bedroom with a consistent color scheme and Asian influenced hardware on the cabinetry. FotoGrafik Arts

The clients' preferred aesthetic was a warm, comfortable, spa-like space. This quickly led to the concept of a Japanese bath. As the design work began, there was a necessity to bring a soothing sound of flowing water into the bath. The spa feel was further enhanced with the incorporation of teak vanities and stone tile. This relaxing theme flowed into the bedroom with a consistent color scheme and other Asian influences. FotoGrafik Arts

The relaxing theme flowed from the bathroom into the bedroom with a consistent color scheme, Asian influenced hardware on the cabinetry, as well as stone embellishments. FotoGrafik Arts

In this project the homeowners wanted to achieve a larger shower, better storage and more vanity space, as well as retain a tub. They also wanted a better integration of the master bath & bedroom. The preferred aesthetic was a warm, comfortable, spa-like space. This quickly led to the concept of a Japanese bath. As the design work began, there was a necessity to bring a soothing sound of flowing water into the bath. The spa feel was further enhanced with the incorporation of teak vanities, stone tile, a Japanese soaking tub and Shoji screen inspired door to the water closet. This relaxing theme flowed into the bedroom with a consistent color scheme and Asian influenced hardware on the cabinetry. FotoGrafik Arts

This early-phase Japanese-inspired garden draws from the Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist philosophies and combines the basic elements of plants, water, and rocks along with simple, clean lines to create a tranquil backyard retreat. Plant material used includes Japanese varieties of trees, shrubs and perennials woven together to create interest throughout each season.

This early-phase Japanese-inspired garden draws from the Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist philosophies and combines the basic elements of plants, water, and rocks along with simple, clean lines to create a tranquil backyard retreat. Plant material used includes Japanese varieties of trees, shrubs and perennials woven together to create interest throughout each season.

This early-phase Japanese-inspired garden draws from the Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist philosophies and combines the basic elements of plants, water, and rocks along with simple, clean lines to create a tranquil backyard retreat. Plant material used includes Japanese varieties of trees, shrubs and perennials woven together to create interest throughout each season.

Japanese Zen Garden, Complete! After weeks of precision craftsmanship, our Japanese-inspired landscape build is finally finished, and the transformation speaks for itself. ? Finish carpentry that defines the structure ? Curated plant selection for balance and texture ? Custom hand-built steppers ? Triple basalt column water feature ? Integrated lighting throughout ? Custom decorative wall with built-in illumination Every element was designed and built to flow in harmony, a calm, modern take on traditional Japanese garden principles. From dirt to detail… transformation complete.

A custom designed koi pond is the central feature in the japanese inspired landscape. The waterfall is not only essential to the health of the fish and the aquatic plants, but it adds soothing, relaxing background noise to throughout the backyard. Espalier apple trees grow on custom built supports along the back fence.

This early-phase Japanese-inspired garden draws from the Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist philosophies and combines the basic elements of plants, water, and rocks along with simple, clean lines to create a tranquil backyard retreat. Plant material used includes Japanese varieties of trees, shrubs and perennials woven together to create interest throughout each season.

This creek bed is different from our norm. It was inspired by the metaphorical creek beds seen in some Japanese gardens. Small pieces of flagstone were set on end in polymeric sand to mimic the rapid and sometimes chaotic flow of water over rapids and around boulders. Photo by Jay Sifford.

Asian influences blended with native plantings helped create this garden, which we call Prairie-fusion. Water is the main focus of the garden, which falls and flows creating both visual and audial impact. Colorful koi dot the dark waters which reflect light and landscape. Choices in construction material were made to enhance a rustic look while touches of Japanese-inspired influences were appropriately placed to introduce an exotic feel. In keeping with the traditional Japanese gardens, raked rocks and boulders simulate islands in water. While inspired by the East, the garden is rooted firmly in the Midwestern landscape, surrounded and softened by plants native to woodlands and wetlands, including ferns, sedges, wild columbine, blue flag iris, horsetail rush, water lilies and native maples. A ramp leading up to the decking combined both reclaimed railroad ties and gravel, tying in the two solid ground influences in the garden. Live moss was used heavily on boulders and wood creating the illusion of a garden which has been tucked away, living and growing for a long time. Photo by Larry Carnes

This highly stylized Japanese-inspired creek bed was built last year (2018). This photograph is taken 14 months later when the plants have really filled in.

Modern, Japanese-inspired master bathroom featuring a walnut vanity and quartz top. Photo: Dave Coppolla, Whitewater Imagery
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern master bathroom remodel in New York with black cabinets, quartz countertops and white countertops

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