This project was designed and installed by Cottage Gardener, LTD. These photos highlight our effort to create seasonal interest throughout the entire year.

Photo of a large transitional partial sun backyard stone landscaping in Chicago for summer.

“I have a big ask,” wrote this Berkeley, California, homeowner, explaining that she wanted a yard where her young children could spend as much time outdoors as possible, but she also envisioned a garden that would feel like an extension of the small bungalow-style house, which offered little space for entertaining and hanging out. She wanted to keep the front yard open to the street and inviting, while also creating a bit of privacy for a dining area in the front window that felt too exposed. With lots of DIY experience and skills, this family was ready to roll up their sleeves and install a new landscape, but they knew that before they started, they needed some expert design help. An online search brought them to Home Outside. The Home Outside designer studied their goals and preferences and created a landscape design in which the front yard is partially screened by a flower garden and a fence that swoops upward to form an arbor over the front walkway. The existing wooden deck is extended to accommodate dining, while a pea-stone terrace with firepit forms an outdoor living room, with space for the potted plants the owner loves. A lattice-topped fence creates privacy and offers a vertical surface for lush vines to grab onto—a great trick for a small property. A corner of the yard is dedicated to children’s play, with a round lawn, play structure, and secret hiding places under the shrubbery. Finally, we recommended that they turn their driveway into a sustainable “garden” by laying pervious concrete planks for the tire tracks, with low groundcover plants along the center strip and repurposed brick (already on site) to walk upon. The homeowner wrote to Home Outside to say, “We love how it is turning out, and several of our friends have commented that it is like stepping into a yard out of Sunset magazine. The design investment and the hard work have been one of the most transformative and positive projects we have taken on.”

sliding interior barn door to add privacy to a sun room office/den. Poplar frame with flat MDF panels and glass panels. Hinged shutters allow either total light blockage and privacy or partial light and privacy.

Giving guests a place to eat, relax by the fire and practice their golf game, we made smart use of the space in this yard. A covered patio with ceiling fan is the perfect place for guests to gather for a meal. We added a unique fire feature with stone bench behind it so guests can sit and warm themselves without having to search for a chair. We added turf and a putting green for a bit of recreation. Potted plants add the finishing touch to this low maintenance space.

We recently took on an exciting whole-home renovation for this lovely historic Trinity in Center City Philadelphia. Originally built in the mid-1800s, the house footprint is just over 17’ x 13’. As is typical of this type of 3-story house, the kitchen is located in the basement, making this house four floors of occupied space with overall square footage totaling just under 900 square feet. The homeowner felt the former kitchen was cramped, dimly lit, and inefficiently designed, and she was in search of help in bringing her artistic vision for the space to life, blending both old and new elements through an exciting mix of textures and character. High on her priority list was integrating her wonderful collection of objects gathered from her travels around the world. We brought our design skills and construction experience to the team, working with the homeowner and the designer to develop a host of creative solutions, including the installation of an Indonesian screen as a sliding door covering a newly reconfigured utility area, which includes a new on-demand hot water heater, mounted next to a new electrical panel with ample room for service and access. Other Noteworthy Features and Solutions: New crisp drywall blended with original masonry wall textures and original exposed beams Custom-glazed adler wood cabinets, beautiful fusion Quartzite and custom cherry counters, and a copper sink were selected for a wonderful interplay of colors, textures, and Old World feel Small-space efficiencies designed for real-size humans, including built-ins wherever possible, limited free-standing furniture, and no upper cabinets Built-in storage and appliances under the counter (refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer, and microwave drawer) Additional multi-function storage under stairs Extensive lighting plan with multiple sources and types of light to make this partially below-grade space feel bright and cheery Enlarged window well to bring much more light into the space Insulation added to create sound buffer from the floor above All Photos by Linda McManus Photography

An antique utility cart bar. Notice the partially open door leading to the walk-in pantry. Paintings by Jill Van Sickle Fine Arts Paintings
Example of a trendy kitchen design in Kansas City

Giving guests a place to eat, relax by the fire and practice their golf game, we made smart use of the space in this yard. A covered patio with ceiling fan is the perfect place for guests to gather for a meal. We added a unique fire feature with stone bench behind it so guests can sit and warm themselves without having to search for a chair. We added turf and a putting green for a bit of recreation. Potted plants add the finishing touch to this low maintenance space.

Enhance the Beauty and Functionality of Your Modern Farmhouse with a Custom Pool from Babcock Are you searching for an exceptional and unique pool design to complete your modern farmhouse aesthetic? Look no further than Babcock Custom Pools, your trusted source for contemporary and rustic pool designs. Our state-of-the-art modern farmhouse pools seamlessly blend sophistication and natural charm, making them the perfect addition to any outdoor living space. Our expert pool builders craft each design with precision and attention to detail, utilizing only the finest materials for long-lasting durability. From clean lines and minimalistic aesthetics to top-notch weather-resistant construction, you can trust that your Babcock pool will be the epitome of beauty and longevity. But our commitment to excellence doesn’t end there. Babcock Custom Pools also integrates advanced features to elevate your swimming experience. Energy-efficient pumps, filters, and lighting systems are just some of the cutting-edge features you can expect in your custom pool design. Don’t settle for just any pool, bring your dream modern farmhouse oasis to life with Babcock Custom Pools. Whether you prefer a simple, elegant design or a more elaborate outdoor haven, our team has the expertise and experience to bring your vision to reality. Get in touch with us today to start planning your stunning modern farmhouse pool!

Complete gut and partial addition of kitchen. Cosmetic finish selection throughout kitchen including cabinetry, plumbing, marble, hardware, and lighting. Custom window treatments and styling. We had to send out a search party to find the perfect piece of Danby Marble for this kitchen island, but our favorite part is still the window treatments!

Giving guests a place to eat, relax by the fire and practice their golf game, we made smart use of the space in this yard. A covered patio with ceiling fan is the perfect place for guests to gather for a meal. We added a unique fire feature with stone bench behind it so guests can sit and warm themselves without having to search for a chair. We added turf and a putting green for a bit of recreation. Potted plants add the finishing touch to this low maintenance space.

We recently took on an exciting whole-home renovation for this lovely historic Trinity in Center City Philadelphia. Originally built in the mid-1800s, the house footprint is just over 17’ x 13’. As is typical of this type of 3-story house, the kitchen is located in the basement, making this house four floors of occupied space with overall square footage totaling just under 900 square feet. The homeowner felt the former kitchen was cramped, dimly lit, and inefficiently designed, and she was in search of help in bringing her artistic vision for the space to life, blending both old and new elements through an exciting mix of textures and character. High on her priority list was integrating her wonderful collection of objects gathered from her travels around the world. We brought our design skills and construction experience to the team, working with the homeowner and the designer to develop a host of creative solutions, including the installation of an Indonesian screen as a sliding door covering a newly reconfigured utility area, which includes a new on-demand hot water heater, mounted next to a new electrical panel with ample room for service and access. Other Noteworthy Features and Solutions: New crisp drywall blended with original masonry wall textures and original exposed beams Custom-glazed adler wood cabinets, beautiful fusion Quartzite and custom cherry counters, and a copper sink were selected for a wonderful interplay of colors, textures, and Old World feel Small-space efficiencies designed for real-size humans, including built-ins wherever possible, limited free-standing furniture, and no upper cabinets Built-in storage and appliances under the counter (refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer, and microwave drawer) Additional multi-function storage under stairs Extensive lighting plan with multiple sources and types of light to make this partially below-grade space feel bright and cheery Enlarged window well to bring much more light into the space Insulation added to create sound buffer from the floor above All Photos by Linda McManus Photography

Complete gut and partial addition of kitchen. Cosmetic finish selection throughout kitchen including cabinetry, plumbing, marble, hardware, and lighting. Custom window treatments and styling. We had to send out a search party to find the perfect piece of Danby Marble for this kitchen island, but our favorite part is still the window treatments!

Designer: Vanessa Cook Photographer: Tom Roe
Inspiration for a large industrial master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor bathroom remodel in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a vessel sink and quartz countertops

Complete gut and partial addition of kitchen. Cosmetic finish selection throughout kitchen including cabinetry, plumbing, marble, hardware, and lighting. Custom window treatments and styling. We had to send out a search party to find the perfect piece of Danby Marble for this kitchen island, but our favorite part is still the window treatments!

In 1961 while searching for property for an office, I found a 55' x 135' lot zoned for business, two blocks from a major intersection, which had 35' of its depth under water. Because of a legal technicality I discovered that I could build over the water (called Cherry Creek). So I designed and built four rental units with my office in the back, partially cantilevered over Cherry Creek. I also built a small apartment on the roof. Five years later, after a divorce, three bachelor years in the rooftop apartment, and another marriage, I found myself also with three new children. But, being still totally committed to living and working in the same place, I took over the rental spaces and began remodeling, which became pretty continuous, as the children grew (we had one more and two from the first marriage) and our needs changed. In about 1974 I took the roof off of one of the old rental spaces and built a swimming pool between the walls. By 1979 the children were gone, except for the baby, and we began a major overhaul and a repurposing of spaces, which lasted for over a year, and still remains pretty much the same. In 1997 we needed new roofs, which also prompted the remodeling of most of the exterior surfaces…….copper roof fascias, beam end details, shingles, garden walkway and garden wall mosaic detail. We also removed the swimming pool and put the roof back, gaining a work shop and storage room. In 2002 we sold the property to Alberto Comas, Architect and moved permanently to the mountains. In 2012 he sold it and moved to beautiful Ocala. Read More

Complete gut and partial addition of kitchen. Cosmetic finish selection throughout kitchen including cabinetry, plumbing, marble, hardware, and lighting. Custom window treatments and styling. We had to send out a search party to find the perfect piece of Danby Marble for this kitchen island, but our favorite part is still the window treatments!

This was a partial remodel . The cabinetry and floors were existing and the client wanted a space that reflected her vibrant personality. We searched through many marble shops looking for the yellow/ gold marble counter top that we had seen in a small brochure and she was excited when we finally found it.

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