Location: Cohasset, MA, United States This elegant property has gorgeous views of the harbor, with sweeping stone walls that create a terraced effect. Since the house was a warm beige, I felt a bold red would really bring it to life, mixed with burgundy foliage and big, dramatic grasses. Hay Scented Fern, Solomon's Seal and Hellebore create a dense, naturalistic ground cover along this slope at the bottom on a ledge cliff.

Working with natural elements and accentuating the natural landscape.
Design ideas for a large rustic shade side yard landscaping in Toronto with decking.

We expanded an existing deck with new stairs, railing, decking, deck board design, lighting, complete with all post and beam wraps. All decking you see is Zuri decking with Timbertech Rail Systems. We installed riser lights up the stairs with post caps on top of all posts.

Starting from a blank canvas with a completely empty shell, the Gonyea Transformations team transformed this spacious garage into a sleek, luxurious personal retreat. The garage now boasts ample space for our client to showcase their cars, as well as entertain friends in the loft with a full bar and lounge. Some stunning details include a beautiful cable railing that leads to the loft, a walnut accent wall that adds additional architectural interest and works as a privacy barrier and entertainment center, and a notable bar with diamond plate details, thoughtful lighting, and the clients’ own “Lamborghini” sign to create a cohesive look within the whole garage condo. Explore more of this unique space below. About the AutoMotorPlex The Medina AutoMotorPlex is a 160-unit garage condominium complex just off of Highway 55 and Arrowhead Drive. This unique concept provides an opportunity for car enthusiasts and like-minded individuals to own a private garage which they can personalize and showcase their collector cars or luxury vehicles. It also provides a unique community for people who share a passion for motorsports—or anything that has an engine—with hosted events throughout the year. With a variety of garage sizes within the AutoMotorPlex, the garage condos have one thing in common, they start out as empty shells, waiting for new owners to envision a space to showcase their prized possessions and entertain family, friends, and clients.

To optimize the views of the lake and maximize natural ventilation this 8,600 square-foot woodland oasis accomplishes just that and more. A selection of local materials of varying scales for the exterior and interior finishes, complements the surrounding environment and boast a welcoming setting for all to enjoy. A perfect combination of skirl siding and hand dipped shingles unites the exterior palette and allows for the interior finishes of aged pine paneling and douglas fir trim to define the space. This residence, houses a main-level master suite, a guest suite, and two upper-level bedrooms. An open-concept scheme creates a kitchen, dining room, living room and screened porch perfect for large family gatherings at the lake. Whether you want to enjoy the beautiful lake views from the expansive deck or curled up next to the natural stone fireplace, this stunning lodge offers a wide variety of spatial experiences. Photographer: Joseph St. Pierre

matching concrete steps with stamped concrete with a decorative concrete overlay process
Classic porch idea in Kansas City

Stephen Govel Photography
This is an example of a traditional landscaping in Philadelphia.

Mountain style staircase photo in San Diego

Utilizing native grass adds great impact to a landscape at a low cost. Native grasses are very water friendly, and require less maintenance than traditional turf.

Rubner's Nursery & Landscaping
Home design - traditional home design idea in Charlotte

Split rail fencing is a beautiful, traditional style of fence. It is one of the oldest styles of fence that is still manufactured and installed today. Why? Split rail fences are the best of everything. First, the are inexpensive because of the materials needed (basic wood slates and posts). Second, they can be put up in a very short amount of time. This is because the posts only need a three-step installation, making it more efficient. Third, they add a rustic look to all types of properties. We have installed split rail fencing on all types of properties - residential, farms, and more. They are a great option for keeping horse and livestock in a contained area also. We use different types of wood depending on the project we are working on. Not all wood is right for a split rail fence. You will want to go with something that is sturdy and weather-proof. We coat all of our wood with a special varnish clear-coat that keeps away termites and protects against harsh weather.

Ben Finch of Finch Photo

This shaded woodland garden called out for a path to lead down to the creek at the bottom of the property in Athens, GA. The stonework has an aged look, in keeping with the historic neighbourhood, while the curved layout and the mixture of brick and stone softens the overall look. A channel installed under the path ensures correct drainage of rainwater. ZoomWorks

Malibu Glass Box House by Klopf Architecture Following the devastating Woolsey Fire of 2018, the site in Malibu offered a unique opportunity to rebuild not just a home, but a new architectural composition that highlighted the property’s potential while navigating strict fire-rebuild codes in the area. Designed by Klopf Architecture, this project embraced a set of limitations and translated them into an architectural asset. The city’s fire-rebuild process required the new structure to remain close to the original footprint, size and bulk, a constraint that ultimately clarified the architectural direction. Perched near the front of a long, narrow lot, the new home frames and overlooks a private, park-like rear expanse, an uncommon luxury especially in this part of Malibu . Without a fixed program, the design process allowed for a different kind of creative focus allowing Klopf Architecture the opportunity to explore how a modernist home could best respond to this site. The team approached the project not with a list of requirements, but with a question: How might a modernist live here? What spatial qualities would inspire calm, connection, and a sense of wonder in this setting? The process became less about problem-solving and more about architectural storytelling—letting the site, the light, and the principles of modern design guide the form and flow of the home. The response emerged in the form of a glass-box pavilion, an open, Mid-Century Modern inspired living, dining, and kitchen space that floats at the edge of the property’s natural descent. Connected to the more enclosed, private areas of the home by a glass-walled hallway, the living pavilion becomes a distinct centerpiece of the design. It opens on all four sides to the landscape with decks and patios on the flanks, an internal garden and water feature to the north, and a dramatic unguarded view of the expansive backyard and ocean horizon to the south. Because of the mandated footprint, careful planning was required to ensure every space could still engage with light, landscape, or both. Strategic voids in the form of atriums and courtyards allow daylight to filter deep into the home’s core, while offering moments of surprise and retreat. These design gestures allow natural light to filter deep into the interior, creating a sense of brightness and openness throughout the day. At the same time, they expand the perceptual boundaries between inside and out, making the home feel more expansive while anchoring its connection to the surrounding landscape. The siting of the house is what gives it its unique character. Rather than receding into the backyard like the neighboring homes, the house holds a slight prominence. From the central living pavilion, stepping down into the landscape feels more like entering a secluded park where a separate existing accessory structure, trail, and recreational areas await. The home’s modest street presence gives way to this unfolding drama of space, view, and nature. Fire-resilient materials and assemblies are integrated seamlessly throughout including triple-pane glazing, under-slab and roof insulation, and locally sourced fire-rated cladding ensure the house not only meets Calfornia’s rigorous wildland-urban interface (WUI) standards, but feels effortlessly aligned with them. While technical decisions like fire-hardening and mechanical systems presented some construction challenges, particularly around the cantilevered glass box, the team found a functional compromise that preserved the integrity of the design. Inside, a restrained palette and exposed post and beam design celebrate the ethos of mid-century modernism. A central circulation spine extends from the entry to the rear glass wall, offering a continuous visual link from street to ocean. Spaces such as the library and office, though more intimate in scale, are never cut off from nature as each opens to its own unique courtyard or garden view. Though born out of a strict regulatory framework and developed without a specific client, the rebuild design unfolded with remarkable clarity. Grounded in site logic, refined by limitations and an emphasis on timeless spatial relationships – light, proportion, and a strong connection to nature, the resulting design feels both effortless and uplifting. The home lives lightly on the land, opens generously to its surroundings, and strikes a careful balance between privacy, openness, and calm. For Klopf Architecture, it stands as a compelling case study in how site, code, and circumstantial constraints can inspire enduring, modernist architecture. With years of experience reimagining mid-century modern design for how people live today, the firm took the project’s limitations as an opportunity. The result is a home shaped by open, flowing spaces, strong indoor-outdoor connections, and a calm, clear sense of structure. It’s a good reminder that even with strict constraints, there’s still room for architecture to breathe—and for modernism to keep moving forward. Klopf Architecture project team: Geoff Campen, John Klopf, AIA, and Sherry Tan Structural Engineer: ZFA Contractor: Maison D’Artiste Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2023

We can see the 5' waterfall in the background which collects in the main pool. A second weir spills gently over a large granite boulder and passes underneath the limestone slab bridge. After passing under the limestone bridge, the water goes over a small chute, and ends up in the main collection pond.

Paul North Photogrophy
This is an example of a traditional landscaping in Baltimore.

Inspiration for a rustic hillside landscaping in Sacramento.

TLC
Design ideas for a mediterranean landscaping in San Francisco.

Snow Creek Landscaping