Karen transformed her front yard with 100% drought-tolerant landscaping, using water-wise plants and a wide variety of natural stone materials. Cobble, rubble, pebble, flagstone and crushed rock were combined to create a dry streambed that adds a fluid movement to the yard. A basalt fountain water feature was positioned near the entry. Since Karen’s home is part of a Homeowner’s Association, speed was essential to the project. She hired Laura Eubanks of Design for Serenity to facilitate the quick turnaround, completing the project in just 5 days. Design for Serenity designed and installed the beautiful landscaping and succulent tapestries, while Karen herself selected the stone. Karen thinks of landscape rock as a form of art, considering it to be one of the most important elements in her project. She spent several hours with Laura’s team selecting the perfect boulders and materials from our Fallbrook yard. Her hard work paid off: Karen’s guests and HOA neighbors all raved about the impact of natural stone in this total yard transformation.

In a wooded area of Lafayette, a mid-century home was re-imagined for a graphic designer and kindergarten teacher couple and their three children. A major new design feature is a high ceiling great room that wraps from the front to the back yard, turning a corner at the kitchen and ending at the family room fireplace. This room was designed with a high flat roof to work in conjunction with existing roof forms to create a unified whole, and raise interior ceiling heights from eight to over ten feet. All new lighting and large floor to ceiling Fleetwood aluminum windows expand views of the trees beyond. The existing home was enlarged by 700 square feet with a small exterior addition enlarging the kitchen over an existing deck, and a larger amount by excavating out crawlspace at the garage level to create a new home office with full bath, and separate laundry utility room. The remodeled residence became 3,847 square feet in total area including the garage. Exterior curb appeal was improved with all new Fleetwood windows, stained wood siding and stucco. New steel railing and concrete steps lead up to the front entry. Front and rear yard new landscape design by Huettl Landscape Architecture dramatically alters the site. New planting was added at the front yard with landscape lighting and modern concrete pavers and the rear yard has multiple decks for family gatherings with the focal point a concrete conversation circle with central fire feature. Everything revolves around the corner kitchen, large windows to the backyard, quartz countertops and cabinetry in painted and walnut finishes. The homeowners enjoyed the process of selecting Heath Tile for the kitchen backsplash and white oval tiles at the family room fireplace. Black brick tiles by Fireclay were used on the living room hearth. The kitchen flows into the family room all with views to the beautifully landscaped yards. The primary suite has a built-in window seat with large windows overlooking the garden, walnut cabinetry in a skylit walk-in closet, and a large dramatic skylight bouncing light into the shower. The kid’s bath also has a skylight slot with light angling downward over double sinks. More colorful tile shows up in these spaces, as does a geometric patterned tile in the downstairs office bath shower. The large yard is taken full advantage of with concrete paved walkways, stairs and firepit circle. New retaining walls in the rear yard helped to add more level usable outdoor space, with wood slats to visually blend them into the overall design. The end result is a beautiful transformation of a mid-century home, that both captures the client’s personalities and elevates the house into the modern age.

The simplicity of the front yard plantings echoes the modern style of the home. Mexican feather grass sways in the wind behind a low Corten steel wall. (Photography by David Wakely)

Inlays of beach pebbles and slate chip add interest to the bluestone walk. Vinca minor groundcover softens the edge. Westhauser Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant and full sun front yard stone landscaping in Milwaukee for summer.

Beach pebbles and slate chip complement the natural bluestone walk, while adding unexpected texture. Westhauser Photography
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This front yard had to also act as a clients back yard. The existing back yard is a ravine, so there is little room to functionally use it. This created a design element to create a sense of space/privacy while also allowing the Mid Century Modern Architecture to shine through. (and keep the feel of a front yard) We used concrete walls to break up the rooms, and guide people into the front entrance. We added IPE details on the wall and planters to soften the concrete, and Ore Inc aluminum containers with a rust finish to frame the entrance. The Aspen trees break the horizontal plane and are lit up at night, further defining the front yard. All the trees are on color lights and have the ability to change at the click of a button for both holidays, and seasonal accents. The slate chip beds keep the bed lines clean and clearly define the planting ares versus the lawn areas. The walkway is one monolithic pour that mimics the look of large scale pavers, with the added function of smooth,set-in-place, concrete.

Mixed impatiens brighten this entry walk and provide a welcoming splash of color.
Photo of a small traditional partial sun front yard brick outdoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court in Cleveland for winter.

Photo of a transitional landscaping in New York.

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Lush green front yard with unique black and white retaining wall at our Sherman Oaks home remodel. This modern look simultaneously grants both privacy and curb appeal. A cement path leads from the gate to the small front craftsman's porch at the home's entry.

Landscape design in front yard of a South Florida home by Matthew Giampietro of Waterfalls Fountains & Gardens Inc.
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Fountain in front of bay window is welcoming focal point accented by boxwood cones. Golden acorus grass adds color and texture year round. Annual bed is planted in warm months with lantana which attracts butterflies & pollinators. Perennial black eyed susan adds extra color in late summer. Extra texture is added via autumn ferns hugging porch which is a shady spot. Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

Neighbors knew this house as the "spooky" house on the block because of its overgrown front yard. I removed all the brush and sliced an opening through the existing stone garden wall. I designed a modern, geometric stamped concrete entry walk to lead your eye front to the front entry door. Mass plantings of native ornamental grasses and blooming perennials provide a sustainable and low maintenance front landscape design. Linda Oyama Bryan Photography

This front yard had to also act as a clients back yard. The existing back yard is a ravine, so there is little room to functionally use it. This created a design element to create a sense of space/privacy while also allowing the Mid Century Modern Architecture to shine through. (and keep the feel of a front yard) We used concrete walls to break up the rooms, and guide people into the front entrance. We added IPE details on the wall and planters to soften the concrete, and Ore Inc aluminum containers with a rust finish to frame the entrance. The Aspen trees break the horizontal plane and are lit up at night, further defining the front yard. All the trees are on color lights and have the ability to change at the click of a button for both holidays, and seasonal accents. The slate chip beds keep the bed lines clean and clearly define the planting ares versus the lawn areas. The walkway is one monolithic pour that mimics the look of large scale pavers, with the added function of smooth,set-in-place, concrete.

Overall view of the front yard that we designed for this Illinois farmhouse style home. Renn Kuhnen Photography
This is an example of a large traditional drought-tolerant and full sun front yard mulch flower bed in Chicago for summer.

A new more contemporary entrance with linear planting beds which extend from the concrete paver walkways. Landscape lighting shines up and highlights the concrete retaining wall.

The shifted, wedge-shaped concrete panels of the front walk allow for an intersecting bed of grasses. Beach pebble runnels separate the panels while 'Summer Beauty' allium helps to soften the boundary between the driveway and the front walk. Renn Kuhnen Photography

Yard was just plain basic front yard with rock. Keeping the same rock to reduce the cost, I added some artificial turf and pulled the rock back then re distributed it throughout the rest of the yard where it was thin. I added some trees plants and irrigation. Last I added some concrete paver walk way in the form of steppers.