Design ideas for a coastal landscaping in Boston.

A mixed foundation planting creates seasonal interest and beauty at the entrance of this Newton, Massachusetts home. Field stone retaining walls and granite stairs mitigate the steep approach.

This house was designed to maintain clean sustainability and durability. Minimal, simple, modern design techniques were implemented to create an open floor plan with natural light. The entry of the home, clad in wood, was created as a transitional space between the exterior and the living spaces by creating a feeling of compression before entering into the voluminous, light filled, living area. The large volume, tall windows and natural light of the living area allows for light and views to the exterior in all directions. This project also considered our clients' need for storage and love for travel by creating storage space for an Airstream camper in the oversized 2 car garage at the back of the property. As in all of our homes, we designed and built this project with increased energy efficiency standards in mind. Our standards begin below grade by designing our foundations with insulated concrete forms (ICF) for all of our exterior foundation walls, providing the below grade walls with an R value of 23. As a standard, we also install a passive radon system and a heat recovery ventilator to efficiently mitigate the indoor air quality within all of the homes we build.

The MR Nook! Entirely custom made dining nook created with steel, rustic alder and love. The built-in bench has three hatches and one drawer for storage. The moveable bench's top is hinged to allow access to the heater controls and the entire bench can be slid out of the way for heater maintenance. The double (vertical) trestle style dining table frame provides a secondary footrest to the built-in bench's primary footrest and is designed to mitigate knee knocking while sliding around on the bench. This creation increased our client's seating capacity from 4 to 7 (comfortably) and gave them LOTS of storage space.

Water resistant white laminate floors with microbeveled edges 9.4" x 60". Unilin clic technology for easy install. AC4 scratch resistance with EIR technology for closest to that genuine wood look. Attached pad mitigates sound so your laminate floors dampen the sound of walking. PVC free and floor score certified.

This dramatic aerial view highlights a contemporary hillside home designed for sustainability, function, and year-round beauty. Anchored by clean architectural lines and a low-slope roof equipped with solar panels, the home blends seamlessly into its forested backdrop. A broad concrete driveway provides a crisp, functional entrance, framed by terraced retaining walls that stabilize the steep terrain while enhancing the visual rhythm of the landscape. Native trees and grasses are strategically planted among boulders and gravel mulch for a xeric, fire-wise approach that reduces maintenance and maximizes ecological harmony. The curved planting beds and layered retaining system not only manage slope but also create visual interest from every angle, showcasing a smart integration of form and function for mountain living.

Barely visible from the street is this entry courtyard. Outdoor living space.
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal foyer remodel in Orange County with a white front door

In this residential project, we've transformed a backyard into a sanctuary of productivity and relaxation. Our focal point is a sleek white flat glass roof sunroom, seamlessly attached to the existing house. This versatile space serves as both a home office and leisure area, offering a serene retreat for work and leisure pursuits alike. Accentuating this structure is our frameless sliding glass door system, which adds a touch of modern sophistication while enclosing the sunroom seamlessly. To mitigate the summer heat, we've integrated motorized zip-blinds onto the sliding doors, ensuring optimal comfort and protection from excessive heat gain. Furthermore, to elevate the outdoor experience, we've installed outdoor heaters, allowing homeowners to enjoy the space comfortably year-round. With our seamless fusion of design and functionality, we've created a backyard oasis that seamlessly blends indoor comfort with the beauty of nature, providing an inviting escape for every season. To further enhance comfort and usability, we've incorporated outdoor heaters into the Sunroom structure, offering warmth and convenience year-round.

Home design - 1950s home design idea in Miami

This home, perched on a river in Nevada City CA, has a steep drive way and once you have arrived the first thing that greets you is the garage door. Not the most inviting. To make it a bit more challenging for a color design and placement - it is unclear to guests where the front entry is or even which side to approach the home. To mitigate these issues we painted the garage door so it feels almost like an indoor space in a "craftsman" style. the mass of the garage door is broken up. Next, we painted the two posts on the left in an accent color to delineate and invite the guests into the front entry of the home which is completely hidden around the corner.

Extensive excavation and custom stonework create a luxe spot for enjoying the outdoors. Faced with challenges from the start, this project required expertise and precision from D. A. Dunlevy. We approached the excavation strategically, mitigating any issues encountered with temporary shoring solutions, extra soil containment systems, and careful design. The talented crew put in tons of stone to create a multi-tiered space, including walls, walkways, staircases, and space to create different zones. Set in the midst of a mature, wooded area, the final result is a feeling of old world beauty in the treetops.

Kitchen photo in Other

Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com Project Entry: Pembrooke Estate Rain Garden 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Sustainable Landscape &60,000-$120,000 Award Level: Silver Project Description: The client contracted our company to solve multiple existing drainage problems. In a heavy rain event the existing French drain system would overflow, causing water to pool in the driveway. After investigating the system we found that the capacity of the French drain was undersized for the amount of storm water from the large rain events received in recent years. As a result of our findings and at the request of the homeowner, we designed a storm water management system to capture all storm water from the structures on the property and regenerate the underground aquifers for the volume of a 5.8” rainstorm. In addition to the new drain system, the homeowners wanted a rain garden to provide a backdrop for an existing formal garden, provide a habitat for wildlife, and provide screening from an adjacent neighbor. Throughout the design process many challenges were presented, including an existing gas line, which ran directly through the area that best suited the bioswale. The existence of the gas line caused us to alter the shape and depth of the bioswale in some areas. We also inspected the existing downspouts to make sure there were no obstructions that would impede the system’s efficiency, and then conducted a test pit dig to make sure we had sufficient percolation rates for disposal of storm water. To effectively capture the storm water runoff, the existing downspouts were piped from the main house and the large detached garage to a large catch basin located at the low point in the driveway. The driveway catch basin contains two outlet pipes at different elevations within the basin allowing water from smaller rain events to enter the bioswale and rain garden area to percolate into the soil before excess water overflows into a sediment trap which filters out any debris and is then piped to an underground StormTech® pit to slowly percolate into the ground. The other outlet pipe in the driveway catch basin is used for larger storm water events, taking the water directly to the StormTech® pit. Accepting and slowing the velocity of the storm water, mitigation of erosion, and filtering out pollutants contained in the “first flush” of rainfall are the primary functions of the bioswale and rain garden. Planting these areas with mostly native plant species helps carry out these functions while attracting and providing shelter for wildlife. The ‘Niobe’ weeping willow is the centerpiece of the rain garden, connecting with the axis of the existing formal garden. To screen the neighboring property we chose Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’ for its graceful evergreen habit and tolerance of wet sites. ‘Ivory Halo’ dogwood and Panicum ‘Cloud Nine’ were used for screening as well as winter interest. To provide deciduous structure to the garden Taxodium distichum and Magnolia virginiana were used in conjunction with witch hazel. Mostly native wetland perennials were used due to their tolerance of wet conditions and occasional drought. The area above the StormTech® pit provides space for the client’s family to relax. The rain garden and bioswale provide screening, storm water management, a habitat for wildlife, and plants that enhance the adjacent formal garden. Photo Credit: Terren Landscapes

An addition to a pre-Civil War house, this open kitchen occupies a linking volume between the original "dogtrot" house and a new bedroom wing that echoes it. High ceilings help mitigate the oppression of hot, humid air, and allow the expression of a new truss fabricated from salvaged timbers. The movable island was modeled after an American Girl doll accessory!

Retractable Screens, also known as Roll-up Screens and Vertical Rolling Screens are completely customized to meet the needs of the space. Easy to see through and completely retractable, exterior Retractable Screens create a cool, comfortable, insect-free environment without sacrificing your view. Designed to provide superior solar protection, they mitigate UV damage, optimize comfort and provide daytime privacy even in windy settings. Extra sun control can be achieved by increasing thread counts and weave density. Retractable Solar Shades provide energy-efficient sun shading, shelter against bugs and mosquitoes, climate control and rain/wind reduction while allowing outward visibility. Depending on screen fabric selection, our solar shade fabric selections are capable of blocking up to 95% of ultra-violet (UV) rays–saving up to 50% of the energy used to heat and cool homes. Motorize Retractable Screens provide control at the touch of a button. Somfy Motors allow activation by wall mounted toggle switch or several different types of remote control options. These Retractable Screens will stop at upper and lower limits and are able to stop any where along the travel path on command. Optional Manual Override features allow for operation in case of power outage for motorized units. Manual Operations are available on most models. Motorized Retractable Screens equipped with Somfy RTS motors may be upgraded for use in Smart Homes and operated via Smartphone or other Mobile Devices. Retractable Screens should be retracted when not in use. The screens are raised and housed inside the aluminum housing. All major components of the system are powder coated aluminum for durability, ease of operations, and longevity. All Retractable Screens from Shade & Shutter Systems come with a 5 year Warranty, to include the Somfy Motor. Retractable Screens offer wind and rain abatement for breezy days. Many of our clients enjoy outdoor patio settings along coastal areas and beach front properties. Those areas also endure regular breezes that can be knocked down with retractable Screens for a more enjoyable experience. Although these screens are not designed for storm protection, winds to 40 mph are easily abated. If you would like more information about Retractable Screens, our Product Specialists can be reached at 800-522-1599.

Carex pansa is used for a lawn within 2 patios. A formal patio using mortar and informal permeable patio using flagstone and gravel.
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal drought-tolerant and full sun backyard landscaping in Orange County.