The various sizes in rocks help to give the stream a more natural feel. The soft trickle of water over pebbles and down small waterfalls provides a relaxing and soothing sound. Photo Credit - Roger Foley

design: Studio TOOP, 2013 location: Rotterdam, NL status: built in 2014, Weldam Groenprojecten photo: Hans Clauzing, 2014 Our good friend Gerda is an avid photographer with a special interest in nature photography and butterflies. She also suffers from a lung disease that sometimes leaves her less mobile and able to head out to pursue this passion. A garden to take pictures in, even when you're not up to heading further out into the world. That was the main goal of this garden. With limited means and the use of affordable materials we created a wheel chair friendly garden that offers ample space for both human and wild life.

This is an example of a contemporary backyard stone landscaping in Los Angeles with a pergola.

This was a backyard renovation. There was an existing plastic tub pond with many perennials around it. We took out everything, saved as many perennials as we could and installed a new rubber lined, natural ecosystem pond, stream and waterfall. We redesigned the area and created a couple different seating areas along with a pathway over the stream. Transplanted the perennials and added a few new plants to add interest all year long.

Photo: Nanette Wong © 2014 Houzz
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Here is a total transformation in the Stream House kitchen. Now its open and has a huge island for eat-in meals and an open pass thru into the formal dining room.

Camera Shock / Kenny Kaneshiro
Country exterior home photo in San Francisco

The white paneled ceiling and box beams, the abundance of natural light streaming in from three sides of this light and airy living/dining room brighten the stained concrete floors and the antique brick reclaimed from the old home that was razed on this urban infill property.

Elegant exterior home photo in Philadelphia

We choose to keep the window to the right of the Dutch door enabling the homeowners to have a dedicated coffee and tea location while allowing the morning light into their kitchen. Designer: Margaret Dean Brady Architectural Photography

Aquascape Inc.
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in Chicago.

Here we installed a manmade pond with waterfall, stream, aquatic plants, colorful koi, around a deck observation area and handsome old-fashioned bridge. www.deckandpatio.com

Example of a trendy backyard stone patio container garden design in Los Angeles with a pergola

one of the stone slab bridges crossing over the stream
This is an example of a rustic full sun side yard stone water fountain landscape.

Our designers teamed up to create an outdoor living space for the annual Pasadena Showcase House of Design home. Our focus was to create an outdoor living space that best utilized the area transitioning to the pool, while maintaining a water-wise/drought tolerant landscape. We incorporated our hand cast succulent water table, a pondless stream, synthetic turf, a fully paved patio with our famous Belgard paving stones, high-end outdoor furniture, a custom pergola and even a dry creek bed to tie everything together.

Three structures are located on a 6,500 sqft, sloped lot. The main house is squeezed between front setbacks, a drainage easements through the middle, an access easement to the north and a 30’ topography following height limit. The street level contains an office, a bedroom, an entry and a garage. The lower level contains indoor /outdoor living spaces separated by a glass wall. Sharing this glass wall is the master bedroom. The Studio 420 is located to the west of the drainage easement and contains the parts and tools needed to repair their grown up toys (a dune buggy, motor cycles, an antique sports car, and a three wheeled vehicle). The Studio 120 became the third structure. This structure is a utility room that blocks the neighbor’s views into their backyard and is as backdrop for outdoor dining. The home’s form is a reaction to being pinched between site constraints and the need to live an outdoor life while being indoors.

Fish koi pond with stream and waterfall using aquascape components, wetland planting, landscaping around pond and LED low voltage lighting.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard gravel water fountain landscape in New York for summer.

The former living room now serves as a large dining area for a 12-foot long custom table. The live edges of the wood slabs were located at the centre of the table, creating a stream-like opening covered in glass. A pair of LED lighting fixtures were hung at an angle above the table. creating a flowing stream-like effect as well. The blue accent wall is a bold backdrop to the clients' art collection, hung salon-style.

We surrounded the “pondless” backyard stream with waterfalls (above) by moss rock boulders. The water flows past the client’s newly installed portable hot tub, which was set against a new two-level patio with fire pit and seating/dining areas. Techo-Bloc Borealis’ modular 5”-and-10”-wide slabs have been called trompe l’oeil by industry professionals. Offering such a natural wood look, it was the perfect choice for a patio that sits beside a flowing stream with waterfalls. However, there is an even more wonderful way to go “green.” And that is to harvest the rainwater that maintains the water feature. www.deckandpatio.com