The water feature is 24” deep 500 s.f. and filled with 6” of Black Mexican beach pebbles. Multiple Techobloc Raffinato planters each equipped with drip irrigation. Plantings were installed by our client. Six sheer descent waterfalls and multi-colored underwater lights are controlled from the clients mobile phone or iPad. All the paving is a Turkish Travertine with a connecting floating bridge that leads to a more private sunken patio/pavilion area, where one can sit and enjoy the tranquil sound of sheer descent waterfalls. The addition of the contemporary sculpture and a bubbling granite boulder completes this backyard transformation!

Contemporary front yard
Photo of a mid-sized modern partial sun front yard concrete paver landscaping in San Diego.

A custom made concrete trough sink with dual wall mounted Brizo Litze single handle faucets in luxe nickel sits atop the custom made built in vanity in knotty alder wood. Doors and drawers are flat panels, adorned with retro bin pulls from Esty in pewter. Backsplash is a single row of 12x24" Eleganza Coastline tile in "Pebble Beach". Possini Euro Raden 10" vanity scones on either side of each Pottery Barn vintage mirror, all finished in brushed nickel. Centered between the two mirrors is a custom built in medicine niche, matching the species and finish of the vanity. A Kohler, Tea for Two (66" x 36"), bathtub sits next to the open tiled shower, a glass panel separating the two, both take in the views of the surrounding area. Deck mounted Brizo Litze Roman tub faucet in luxe nickel on the left. Tub face is tiled in 12x24 Eleganza Coastline in "Pebble Beach" and capped with Pental engineered quartz in "Carerra" - which is also used for the window sills. Sliding knotty alder pocket door to the toilet room on the right. Floors are polished concrete, left naturally finished, complimented by a 2.5" knotty alder base. Walls and ceiling are finished in Benjamin Moore's "Dulche de Leche."

Lagoon-side property in the Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Entertaining and enjoying the views were a primary design goal for this project. The concrete steps and pavers lead down to the water's edge. Accented with polished mexican pebbles. I included a sunken patio on one side and a beautiful Buddha statue on the other, surrounded by succulents and other low-water, contemporary plantings. I also used Dymondia ground cover to create a natural pathways within the garden. Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. Design Eileen Kelly

Design & Install done by Modern Zen Garden, Kohei Owatari & Associates (760) 731-0812. All material provided by Southwest Boulder & Stone (760) 451-3333. Products Used: Desert Sand Boulders Desert Select Boulders Mexican Beach Pebble, Black (1"-2") White Ice 3/4" crushed rock Copper Canyon (1"-3") crushed rock Gorilla Hair, Shredded Redwood Mulch

This exquisite master suite combines rough hewn reclaimed wood, custom milled reclaimed fir, VG fir, hot rolled steel, custom barn doors, stone, concrete counters and hearths and limestone plaster for a truly one of kind space. The suite's entrance hall showcases three gorgeous barn doors hand made from from reclaimed jarrah and fir. Behind one of the doors is the office, which was designed to precisely suit my clients' needs. The built in's house a small desk, Sub Zero undercounter refrigerator and Miele built in espresso machine. The leather swivel chairs, slate and iron end tables from a Montana artist and dual function ottomans keep the space very usable while still beautiful. The walls are painted in dry erase paint, allowing every square inch of wall space to be used for business strategizing and planning. The limestone plaster fireplace warms the space and brings another texture to the room. Through another barn door is the stunning 20' x 23' master bedroom. The VG fir beams have a channel routed in the top containing LED rope light, illuminating the soaring VG fir ceiling. The bronze chandelier from France is a free form shape, providing contrast to all the horizontal lines in the room. The show piece is definitely the 150 year old reclaimed jarrah wood used on the bed wall. The gray tones coordinate beautifully with all the warmth from the fir. We custom designed the panelized fireplace surround with inset wood storage in hot rolled steel. The cantilevered concrete hearth adds depth to the sleek steel. Opposite the bed is a fir 18' wide bifold door, allowing my outdoor-loving clients to feel as one with their gorgeous property. The final space is a dream bath suite, with sauna, steam shower, sunken tub, fireplace and custom vanities. The glazed wood vanities were designed with all drawers to maximize function. We topped the vanities with antique corbels and a reclaimed fir soffit and corner column for a dramatic design. The corner column houses spring loaded magnetic doors, hiding away all the bathroom necessities that require plugs. The concrete countertop on the vanities has integral sinks and a low profile contemporary design. The soaking tub is sunk into a bed of Mexican beach pebbles and clad in reclaimed jarrah and steel. The custom steel and tile fireplace is beautiful and warms the bathroom nicely on cool Pacific Northwest days. www.cascadepromedia.com

Trendy beige two-story mixed siding exterior home photo in Salt Lake City with a hip roof

Design & Install done by Modern Zen Garden, Kohei Owatari & Associates (760) 731-0812. All material provided by Southwest Boulder & Stone (760) 451-3333. Products Used: Desert Sand Boulders Desert Select Boulders Mexican Beach Pebble, Black (1"-2") White Ice 3/4" crushed rock Copper Canyon (1"-3") crushed rock Gorilla Hair, Shredded Redwood Mulch

Beach pebble inlays break the concrete patio into smaller "rooms," while still making it feel like one large space. Plantings around the patio reinforce the linear theme. Westhauser Photography

With the expansion of the patio, a great place was created for a conversation area under the shade of an umbrella. Renn Kuhnen Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized 1960s backyard concrete patio remodel in Milwaukee

Drought Tolerant Modern Landscape Design. Natural stone water feature with Corten Steel across from low water succulent feature. Mexican Beach Stone and formed concrete pavers surround Marathon fescue turf grass.

Lovely, clean-lined landscape color featuring bromeliads, palms, and a Mexican beach pebble border by Pamela Crawford. Pamela's services include landscape design and installation, pottery, outdoor living areas, and paving design. She covers Palm Beach and Martin County, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Palm Beach, Wellington, Stuart, and Palm Beach Gardens.

Blending contemporary forms and lush plantings, this Garden maximizes the sensory experience of the materials and planting from inside and outside the home. The garden occupies an interior courtyard framed by four interior walls. The home, designed by Architect Cliff May was built in 1948 and the following year was featured in House Beautiful Magazine. The clients list of needs and desires was brief. They wanted a space that would complement the mid century modern home and provide visual interest from inside the home. Some form of water was also requested. They had a budget of $30,000. In order to stay within their budget the clients performed the demolition of the old garden. The designer’s intent was to create a garden that would possess a clear sculptural quality and would be as visually striking from inside the home as it would be from inside the courtyard. The strategy behind the design was to use hardscape materials characterized by simple geometric forms and a planting palette that would emphasize form over color, and then to arrange the materials to achieve an interpretation of modern aesthetic. The views from inside the homes three main living rooms present the garden as a graphic composition of space, hardscape materials and planting. Inside the courtyard the edges are defined by stone and planting. The floor is composed of rectangular slabs of Teakwood flagstone with a counterpoint of Mexican beach pebbles set within the joints and around the edges. Concrete along the edges of the Teakwood pads reduces migration of the modified stone and sand base. The contrast of the Mexican beach pebbles accentuates the pattern of the flagstone. The outside perimeter of the pebbles is contained with low profile edging. An existing catch drain was utilized for storm water runoff. A concrete block pier set on a concrete footing is covered with black stucco and provides a perch for a custom made copper bowl that circulates water into the L shaped water feature. The water features subterranean basin is constructed of pressure treated wood with a custom box liner insert. Since the Teakwood flagstone was unavailable as coping for the water feature, the designer chose Shawnee Buff stone to complement the Teakwood flagstone. The subtle sound of water spilling from the copper bowl and the reflective qualities of the water help to create an atmosphere of relaxation. The planting is composed of shades of green with white flowers in order to accentuate the graphic design. ‘Justin Brouwer’ Boxwood, ‘Sum and Substance’ Hosta, white Anemones, black bamboo and ornamental grasses contrast dramatically with the clean lines of the hardscape elements. The black bamboo is set in 30” diameter concrete containers to control the vigorous plant from spreading. The construction of the interior courtyard space challenged the building team. They set up baffles between the front door and the door to the courtyard as well as temporary protection over the floor to allow the process to move forward without too much disturbance to the client’s lives. All of the materials were shuffled through the temporary portal. The clients love the space and recently said that “the design is so well thought out and simple that they would never get tired of it.” The designs sculptural quality compliments the modern feel of the home and creates a sublime yet dramatic view from within the house or within the courtyard. The clients plan to purchase two black Bertoia Diamond chairs with red cushions which should perfectly integrate with the space.

Neil Michael - Axiom Photography
Inspiration for a small modern shade courtyard retaining wall landscape in Sacramento.

A unique outdoor umbrella (by Tuuci) over the dining area serves as a focal point of the patio. At the other end, the fire bowl can be seen. Westhauser Photography

Modern living room enjoys city views from a space anchored by concrete fireplace surround. Low extra deep sectional faces grouping of leather swivels and large sculptural brass coffee table. Ceramic spheres in firebox are a wonderful alternative to glass pebbles. More images on our website: http://www.romero-obeji-interiordesign.com

This front yard overhaul in Shell Beach, CA included the installation of concrete walkway and patio slabs with Mexican pebble joints, a raised concrete patio and steps for enjoying ocean-side sunset views, a horizontal board ipe privacy screen and gate to create a courtyard with raised steel planters and a custom gas fire pit, landscape lighting, and minimal planting for a modern aesthetic.

Morgan Howarth
Example of a beach style white tile and mosaic tile pebble tile floor and beige floor alcove shower design in DC Metro with beige walls

Beach contemporary design featuring custom succulent wall planters, drought tolerant plants, permeable paving, fruit trees and outdoor rooms
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary partial sun backyard brick landscaping in Orange County.