This client's home is at the end of a cul-de-sac where many kids and animals play in the street. As home-brewers and generally fun people, the clients wanted a place to sit and enjoy a beer while keeping an eye on the kids. They also wanted lots of color and life in the garden, with a sleek, minimalist style. We accomplished all of this and more with a flagstone patio and curving concrete bench along the perimeter. We added a modern fence to frame the garden and a selection of colorful, low-water plants. Subtle lighting illuminates steps, pathways and select trees. A small patch of "lawn" (walkable groundcover) adds a bright spot of green. Both downspouts from large roof are directed into a curving stone drycreek for groundwater recharge. Sonoma Fieldstone boulders that match the drycreek are placed throughout the garden. This house is the life of the neighborhood and frequent gathering spot for kids and adults alike!

Mid-sized contemporary beige two-story vinyl gable roof idea in DC Metro

This ground-level, wide-angle photograph captures a premium residential artificial grass installation in Tucson, Arizona, designed and completed by Az Custom Landscapes LLC. The project showcases a clean and vibrant outdoor living solution designed to thrive in the desert heat while dramatically lowering water usage. The focal point is a lush, high-density synthetic turf lawn featuring a striking, custom-curved layout. The entire lawn is meticulously framed by a flush, red brick paver border that follows the sweeping organic lines of the landscape, creating a beautiful visual transition between the vibrant green turf and the surrounding decorative river rock and native plantings. Running parallel to the synthetic grass is a covered backyard patio supported by classic Southwestern stucco pillars. This mud-free, pet-friendly turf integration seamlessly expands the home's usable outdoor entertainment space, providing a perfectly manicured lawn year-round without the need for mowing, fertilizing, or traditional irrigation.

Side yard turf removal and planting with drought tolerant and California native plants. Installed a dwarf/nana Natal Plum hedge along sidewalk to deter pet owners from pooping on yard (hence the string). 8 month mark after install.

This client's home is at the end of a cul-de-sac where many kids and animals play in the street. As home-brewers and generally fun people, the clients wanted a place to sit and enjoy a beer while keeping an eye on the kids. They also wanted lots of color and life in the garden, with a sleek, minimalist style. We accomplished all of this and more with a flagstone patio and curving concrete bench along the perimeter. We added a modern fence to frame the garden and a selection of colorful, low-water plants. Subtle lighting illuminates steps, pathways and select trees. A small patch of "lawn" (walkable groundcover) adds a bright spot of green. Both downspouts from large roof are directed into a curving stone drycreek for groundwater recharge. Sonoma Fieldstone boulders that match the drycreek are placed throughout the garden. This house is the life of the neighborhood and frequent gathering spot for kids and adults alike!

This client's home is at the end of a cul-de-sac where many kids and animals play in the street. As home-brewers and generally fun people, the clients wanted a place to sit and enjoy a beer while keeping an eye on the kids. They also wanted lots of color and life in the garden, with a sleek, minimalist style. We accomplished all of this and more with a flagstone patio and curving concrete bench along the perimeter. We added a modern fence to frame the garden and a selection of colorful, low-water plants. Subtle lighting illuminates steps, pathways and select trees. A small patch of "lawn" (walkable groundcover) adds a bright spot of green. Both downspouts from large roof are directed into a curving stone drycreek for groundwater recharge. Sonoma Fieldstone boulders that match the drycreek are placed throughout the garden. This house is the life of the neighborhood and frequent gathering spot for kids and adults alike!

This 1946 beach cottage landscape blends vintage charm with eco-friendly design. The front yard was transformed into a kid- and pet-friendly space with Kurapia groundcover, native and succulent plantings, and a redwood pergola. Upgrades include drip irrigation, a bioswale, concrete steppers, and smart lighting—offering a sustainable, low-maintenance outdoor retreat.

This project is entitled 'Bringing Nature Home'; Where the Coyotes Run. While initially meeting with the client on a sunny afternoon a coyote ran across the lawn. This indicated good fortune was waiting. From a Feng Shui perspective...powerful, positive energy. An excerpt from the design concept is...Flowering ornamental grasses colorful perennials with large boulders will accent your new, native plant garden.

Amanda Driscoll
Inspiration for a rustic landscaping in Raleigh.

Inspiration for a large contemporary shade side yard stone garden path in DC Metro for fall.

Example of a mid-sized trendy beige two-story vinyl gable roof design in DC Metro

Amanda Driscoll
Photo of a rustic landscaping in Raleigh.

Modern farmhouse, native grass, natural stone, arbor, infinity pool
Inspiration for a large farmhouse home design remodel in San Francisco

This 1946 beach cottage landscape blends vintage charm with eco-friendly design. The front yard was transformed into a kid- and pet-friendly space with Kurapia groundcover, native and succulent plantings, and a redwood pergola. Upgrades include drip irrigation, a bioswale, concrete steppers, and smart lighting—offering a sustainable, low-maintenance outdoor retreat.

This 1946 beach cottage landscape blends vintage charm with eco-friendly design. The front yard was transformed into a kid- and pet-friendly space with Kurapia groundcover, native and succulent plantings, and a redwood pergola. Upgrades include drip irrigation, a bioswale, concrete steppers, and smart lighting—offering a sustainable, low-maintenance outdoor retreat.

An example of vital and immersive living space for plants, wildlife and people. Design-built in summer 2022, our team (including talented local stonemason Matt Nichols) worked hard to reimagine an outdoor living space that integrates a dining area, hot tub, gathering space and raised beds. We were also tasked with successfully mitigating stormwater runoff that now channels from the rear to a rain garden in the front. A relaxed delineation of space allows for an easy ebb and flow for this young family and its pets. Cohesive materials were used throughout (such as the gorgeous irregular chunk stone steppers and retaining wall encompassing the cedar hot tub) to elevate this redesign. Over time, these designed living ‘rooms’ for people will recede into the planted habitat to feel ever more intimate and natural.

Amanda Driscoll
This is an example of a rustic landscaping in Raleigh.

Amanda Driscoll
Design ideas for a rustic landscaping in Raleigh.

This inviting flagstone path winds through a lush garden corridor, framed by native plantings and a custom stone wall. Thoughtfully placed lighting enhances safety and ambiance, guiding the way to a private patio retreat beneath a cheerful red umbrella. Cozy, secure, and artfully integrated.