This zealous gardener was tired of her pool taking up so much space in her landscape. She asked me for ideas. The answer was simple. Since her garden brings her so much joy, I proposed adding more garden rooms to experience. We removed the large expansive pool and replaced it with a small reflecting pond that doubles as the pool. This allowed us to create 4 new garden spaces. We replaced all concrete pavers with natural PA flagstone. The traditional square lawn provides elements of simplicity, elegance and classical style while creating a new play space for the grand kids. The pergola creates depth and a great focal point from the loggia. We illuminated all the walkways and garden rooms with Escort Lighting. One of the most fun transformations was converting the spa to a fish pond. The pond provides just enough sound to drain out all neighborhood activities. In the front, we created a new permeable brick paving parking area. The parking area was designed to keep visitors from venturing to the back parking. We chose the permeable brick pavers to collect runoff that is becoming more of a problem in the neighborhood. Our final piece to this property was to come up with a unique solution creating additional privacy while minimizing root damage to the existing plant material. Our client was looking for a permanent solution that required little to no maintenance. Masonry walls were out due to the necessary footers. We looked at fence options. Wood and plastics were out, so we created post out of steel “I” beams and setting concrete lintels in between the lintels. It was perfect. This has to be one of my favorite projects to design and implement of my 25 year experience.

This small suburban yard was filled by a large swimming pool. The homeowner is extremely sensitive to the sun so she decided to trade out the pool for this intimate garden space. When this client is not traveling, she is hosting visitors, watching friends’ dogs, or hanging out with her grandchildren. Our job was to create an inviting space that is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and kid- and dog-friendly. Using gravel, concrete pavers, and a simple planting plan consisting of Mediterranean-adaptive plants, we created this design to fit the mid-century home. The gravel allows for the absorption of rainwater while providing a space for kids and dog to romp and play. Olive trees help shade and cool the space, providing a cozy area to gather with friends. The minimalist plantings survive on very little irrigation and require little more than an hour or two of puttering in the garden per season to maintain.

This small suburban yard was filled by a large swimming pool. The homeowner is extremely sensitive to the sun so she decided to trade out the pool for this intimate garden space. When this client is not traveling, she is hosting visitors, watching friends’ dogs, or hanging out with her grandchildren. Our job was to create an inviting space that is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and kid- and dog-friendly. Using gravel, concrete pavers, and a simple planting plan consisting of Mediterranean-adaptive plants, we created this design to fit the mid-century home. The gravel allows for the absorption of rainwater while providing a space for kids and dog to romp and play. Olive trees help shade and cool the space, providing a cozy area to gather with friends. The minimalist plantings survive on very little irrigation and require little more than an hour or two of puttering in the garden per season to maintain.

Outdoor kitchen with granite bar top, bar b que, smoker, sink and dishwasher
Example of a large trendy backyard concrete paver patio kitchen design with a pergola

Drawing inspiration from the ancient stonework of Peru, Inca Slabs by Techo-Bloc blend time-honored texture with modern strength. Each slab tells a story, etched with rich surface detail, earthy tones, and natural stone-like variation that brings warmth and dimension to your pool deck. But this beauty is more than surface deep. Inca Slabs are engineered to deliver lasting performance in freeze-thaw climates and high-traffic areas. Their non-slip texture makes them ideal for pool surrounds, walkways, and patios where safety and design go hand in hand. What makes them truly special is their versatility. Whether paired with accent pavers, turf joints, or natural stone, Inca Slabs fit effortlessly into both rustic and contemporary settings. They invite barefoot strolls, sun-drenched lounging, and years of low-maintenance enjoyment. This isn’t just paving, it’s an invitation to experience timeless design. Ready to bring this material to life in your space? Let’s schedule your design session today: 516-522-8249

This small suburban yard was filled by a large swimming pool. The homeowner is extremely sensitive to the sun so she decided to trade out the pool for this intimate garden space. When this client is not traveling, she is hosting visitors, watching friends’ dogs, or hanging out with her grandchildren. Our job was to create an inviting space that is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and kid- and dog-friendly. Using gravel, concrete pavers, and a simple planting plan consisting of Mediterranean-adaptive plants, we created this design to fit the mid-century home. The gravel allows for the absorption of rainwater while providing a space for kids and dog to romp and play. Olive trees help shade and cool the space, providing a cozy area to gather with friends. The minimalist plantings survive on very little irrigation and require little more than an hour or two of puttering in the garden per season to maintain.

This small suburban yard was filled by a large swimming pool. The homeowner is extremely sensitive to the sun so she decided to trade out the pool for this intimate garden space. When this client is not traveling, she is hosting visitors, watching friends’ dogs, or hanging out with her grandchildren. Our job was to create an inviting space that is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and kid- and dog-friendly. Using gravel, concrete pavers, and a simple planting plan consisting of Mediterranean-adaptive plants, we created this design to fit the mid-century home. The gravel allows for the absorption of rainwater while providing a space for kids and dog to romp and play. Olive trees help shade and cool the space, providing a cozy area to gather with friends. The minimalist plantings survive on very little irrigation and require little more than an hour or two of puttering in the garden per season to maintain.

The patio off of the garage is covered with a slide wire awning that provides shade in the summer and sun in the winter. An outdoor room hosts dining and leisure and extends the living space of the home. The patio is paved with concrete permeable pavers which allows proper drainage on this small lot.

Design ideas for a mid-sized tropical partial sun front yard concrete paver driveway in Miami.

Where timeless beauty meets barefoot comfort. Beacon Hill Flagstone captures the charm and organic texture of natural stone while delivering modern performance for pool decks and patios. With its softly blended colors and subtly textured surface, it evokes the warmth of traditional landscapes and the elegance of hand-cut flagstone. Crafted with Unilock’s proprietary EnduraColor™ technology, this paver resists fading, stains, and surface wear making it ideal for high-traffic poolside areas. Its non-slip texture and cooler temperature underfoot offer year-round comfort and safety for families and guests alike. This is the stone of choice for those who want to blend nature-inspired design with durability and comfort. Let your outdoor living story be written in stone.

This small suburban yard was filled by a large swimming pool. The homeowner is extremely sensitive to the sun so she decided to trade out the pool for this intimate garden space. When this client is not traveling, she is hosting visitors, watching friends’ dogs, or hanging out with her grandchildren. Our job was to create an inviting space that is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and kid- and dog-friendly. Using gravel, concrete pavers, and a simple planting plan consisting of Mediterranean-adaptive plants, we created this design to fit the mid-century home. The gravel allows for the absorption of rainwater while providing a space for kids and dog to romp and play. Olive trees help shade and cool the space, providing a cozy area to gather with friends. The minimalist plantings survive on very little irrigation and require little more than an hour or two of puttering in the garden per season to maintain.

This small suburban yard was filled by a large swimming pool. The homeowner is extremely sensitive to the sun so she decided to trade out the pool for this intimate garden space. When this client is not traveling, she is hosting visitors, watching friends’ dogs, or hanging out with her grandchildren. Our job was to create an inviting space that is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and kid- and dog-friendly. Using gravel, concrete pavers, and a simple planting plan consisting of Mediterranean-adaptive plants, we created this design to fit the mid-century home. The gravel allows for the absorption of rainwater while providing a space for kids and dog to romp and play. Olive trees help shade and cool the space, providing a cozy area to gather with friends. The minimalist plantings survive on very little irrigation and require little more than an hour or two of puttering in the garden per season to maintain.

Following an architectural renovation of this Arlington home by McInturff Architects, the owner hired us to design a seating area and terrace in the back yard. The lounge seating is integrated directly into the rear deck and a new bluestone terrace creates an opportunity to lounge around a Corten steel fire pit.

Lisa Cullen: This French stone fountain provides a beautiful focal point in the garden of contempory home. It is filled with drought tolerant perennials: agave, pittosporum tobira, nepeta, salvia mystic spires and dymondia

A timeless classic designed for everyday luxury. Beacon Hill Flagstone™ captures the look and texture of natural stone with the strength and consistency of concrete. Its subtle color blending and rich textures bring out the warmth and authenticity of traditional outdoor living. But this isn’t just about beauty; Its unique surface stays cooler underfoot, making it one of the most comfortable pavers to walk on around the pool. Designed to emulate the elegance of flagstone with large-format shapes and soft edges, Beacon Hill delivers a natural aesthetic that blends effortlessly with both classic and contemporary homes. Available in multiple colors and laying patterns, it offers flexibility for designers and comfort for families. Classic. Comfortable. Enduring.

This small suburban yard was filled by a large swimming pool. The homeowner is extremely sensitive to the sun so she decided to trade out the pool for this intimate garden space. When this client is not traveling, she is hosting visitors, watching friends’ dogs, or hanging out with her grandchildren. Our job was to create an inviting space that is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and kid- and dog-friendly. Using gravel, concrete pavers, and a simple planting plan consisting of Mediterranean-adaptive plants, we created this design to fit the mid-century home. The gravel allows for the absorption of rainwater while providing a space for kids and dog to romp and play. Olive trees help shade and cool the space, providing a cozy area to gather with friends. The minimalist plantings survive on very little irrigation and require little more than an hour or two of puttering in the garden per season to maintain.

Jennifer Cheung
Example of a large french country backyard patio design in Los Angeles

Photo of a mid-sized full sun front yard concrete paver driveway in Toronto for summer.

Paul Dyer Photography Keith Willig Landscape Architecture. While we appreciate your love for our work, and interest in our projects, we are unable to answer every question about details in our photos. Please send us a private message if you are interested in our architectural services on your next project.