Lara Swimmer
Trendy patio photo in Seattle

Photographer: Michael Del Rossi
1960s home design photo in Boston

The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in San Francisco.

Autumn fern, (Dryopteris erythrosora) in a woodland setting Le jardinet
Photo of a traditional landscaping in Seattle.

Photographer: Matt Craig Designer: Bronwyn Poole
Living room - contemporary enclosed carpeted living room idea in Los Angeles with white walls

Lars Frazer
Mountain style porch idea in Austin with decking and a roof extension

This project was designed and installed by Cottage Gardener, LTD. These photos highlight our effort to create seasonal interest throughout the entire year.

View of the patio, bocce ball court and guest house. Adaptive reuse of a former horse barn into a modern glass and steel guest suite. photograph: bill timmerman

This top selling barberry is a trip of color! Sunjoy® Tangelo's tangy orange foliage with distinctive chartreuse margins add fun to the garden from spring through fall. More vigorous than other variegated varieties. Prune to shape in summer. Deer resistant. Prefers well-drained soil. 3-4'(0.9-1.2m) tall and wide. Full sun. USDA Zone 4.

INTERIOR --- -Two-zone heating and cooling system results in higher energy efficiency and quicker warming/cooling times -Fiberglass and 3.5” spray foam insulation that exceeds industry standards -Sophisticated hardwood flooring, engineered for an elevated design aesthetic, greater sustainability, and the highest green-build rating, with a 25-year warranty -Custom cabinetry made from solid wood and plywood for sustainable, quality cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom vanities -Fisher & Paykel DCS Professional Grade home appliances offer a chef-quality cooking experience everyday -Designer's choice quartz countertops offer both a luxurious look and excellent durability -Danze plumbing fixtures throughout the home provide unparalleled quality -DXV luxury single-piece toilets with significantly higher ratings than typical builder-grade toilets -Lighting fixtures by Matteo Lighting, a premier lighting company known for its sophisticated and contemporary designs -All interior paint is designer grade by Benjamin Moore -Locally sourced and produced, custom-made interior wooden doors with glass inserts -Spa-style mater bath featuring Italian designer tile and heated flooring -Lower level flex room plumbed and wired for a secondary kitchen - au pair quarters, expanded generational family space, entertainment floor - you decide! -Electric car charging

Saturday, August 8, 11:00am to 12:30pm | Englewood | Pondbank House by Herb Schaal, FASLA, with architect Don Ruggles of Ruggles Mabe Terrell Architecture, landscape contractor Philip Steinhauer of Designscapes, and general contractor Jeff Barnett of J.K. Barnett, Ltd. In keeping with the grand Palladian architectural style of the Pondbank House, the landscape architect has created an impressive series of complementary Mediterranean garden spaces using local stone for terracing and High Plains adapted plants. In addition to a kitchen and cutting garden and diverse planting schemes featuring over 250 species, there are many delightful pieces of garden art and creative garden details. Decorative fountain walls distribute roof and storm drainage to terraced plantings. An infinity lawn edge creates a “ha-ha” effect from the pool terrace to the borrowed landscape in the distance. A lovely moon gate leads to a secluded Japanese-style spa garden, an “aromabo” for contemplative relaxation and outdoor aromatherapy. And a shallow water basin in the strolling garden is positioned to reflect the rising moon. Photo by Emily Minton Redfield

Full renovation for this Primary Bathroom. Re-worked the floor plan to create a larger walk-in shower space with custom glass enclosure. Designed a custom wooden vanity with plenty of storage, with a subtly veined quartz countertop. Free standing bathtub is surrounded by a half wall of paneling, painted in a light and bright color scheme. Neutral tile installed on bathroom floor and shower walls, with a coordinating penny tile on the shower floor and niches. Textured bamboo roman shades and floating shelves were installed for contrast and mixed and matched black and gold hardware for detail.

High end, highly custom complete kitchen remodel with amazing details. THE KEY FEATURES - Dining Room Wall removed - Island w/ sink, dishwasher and trash/recycling; eating area that seats 2-3 people on the other side - Full height Pantry next to refrigerator - 36″ paneled refrigerator - 3 Work Zones: the island, left of the range, right of the range - Snack Zone: a place away from the work zone to house the toaster, coffeemaker and microwave - Dish/ Cutlery Storage: Two sets of dishes and cutlery also store in the cabinets on the snack zone wall. - Ample Cooking storage: Two 45″ and 33″ base cabinets with adjustable roll-out shelves provide ample space for pots/ pans / cooking supplies - Garden Window Relocated and Re-sized. . Photo by Courtney Apple

Courtney Olander

Alan & Linda Detrick Photography
This is an example of a traditional front yard flower bed in New York for spring.

The kitchen features a cozy banquette, built-in custom cabinets, and a PentalQuartz Super White countertop for a contemporary look. The room’s central feature is an inset bar in rich macassar ebony and Flavor Paper’s Monaco gold foil wallpaper that was formerly a fireplace.

Stone water feature
Inspiration for a contemporary water fountain landscape in Seattle.