Beautiful, simplistic bedroom with primed wood feature wall. Kristian Walker Photography
Inspiration for a cottage guest medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Grand Rapids with white walls

This gorgeous modern farmhouse features hardie board board and batten siding with stunning black framed Pella windows. The soffit lighting accents each gable perfectly and creates the perfect farmhouse.

Alan & Linda Detrick Photography
Photo of a traditional landscaping in New York.

Example of a large mountain style brown two-story wood gable roof design in Minneapolis with a shingle roof

This propery is situated on the south side of Centre Island at the edge of an oak and ash woodlands. orignally, it was three properties having one house and various out buildings. topographically, it more or less continually sloped to the water. Our task was to creat a series of terraces that were to house various functions such as the main house and forecourt, cottage, boat house and utility barns. The immediate landscape around the main house was largely masonry terraces and flower gardens. The outer landscape was comprised of heavily planted trails and intimate open spaces for the client to preamble through. As the site was largely an oak and ash woods infested with Norway maple and japanese honey suckle we essentially started with tall trees and open ground. Our planting intent was to introduce a variety of understory tree and a heavy shrub and herbaceous layer with an emphisis on planting native material. As a result the feel of the property is one of graciousness with a challenge to explore.

View of the house, main patio, pool and spa area, lawn and seat wall with trellis. Throughout the landscape, we mixed formality with touches of whimsy -- spiral topiary boxwood, bright dashes of colorful flowers, contrasting textures. Poolside trellises frame the greenery and visually link the surrounding area back to the trellised main patio. A set of striped chaise lounges provide outdoor relaxation and a view of the lawn.

Large elegant backyard concrete paver and custom-shaped pool fountain photo in Boston

Michael Pring
Photo of a contemporary landscaping in New York.

Stone pathway, flower border with path, perennial garden, flowering trees, ground cover, flowering ground cover, mountain garden
Design ideas for a mid-sized rustic full sun front yard stone formal garden for summer.

The owners requested that their home harmonize with the spirit of the surrounding Colorado mountain setting and enhance their outdoor recreational lifestyle - while reflecting their contemporary architectural tastes. The site was burdened with a myriad of strict design criteria enforced by the neighborhood covenants and architectural review board. Creating a distinct design challenge, the covenants included a narrow interpretation of a “mountain style” home which established predetermined roof pitches, glazing percentages and material palettes - at direct odds with the client‘s vision of a flat-roofed, glass, “contemporary” home. Our solution finds inspiration and opportunities within the site covenant’s strict definitions. It promotes and celebrates the client’s outdoor lifestyle and resolves the definition of a contemporary “mountain style” home by reducing the architecture to its most basic vernacular forms and relying upon local materials. The home utilizes a simple base, middle and top that echoes the surrounding mountains and vegetation. The massing takes its cues from the prevalent lodgepole pine trees that grow at the mountain’s high altitudes. These pine trees have a distinct growth pattern, highlighted by a single vertical trunk and a peaked, densely foliated growth zone above a sparse base. This growth pattern is referenced by placing the wood-clad body of the home at the second story above an open base composed of wood posts and glass. A simple peaked roof rests lightly atop the home - visually floating above a triangular glass transom. The home itself is neatly inserted amongst an existing grove of lodgepole pines and oriented to take advantage of panoramic views of the adjacent meadow and Continental Divide beyond. The main functions of the house are arranged into public and private areas and this division is made apparent on the home’s exterior. Two large roof forms, clad in pre-patinated zinc, are separated by a sheltering central deck - which signals the main entry to the home. At this connection, the roof deck is opened to allow a cluster of aspen trees to grow – further reinforcing nature as an integral part of arrival. Outdoor living spaces are provided on all levels of the house and are positioned to take advantage of sunrise and sunset moments. The distinction between interior and exterior space is blurred via the use of large expanses of glass. The dry stacked stone base and natural cedar cladding both reappear within the home’s interior spaces. This home offers a unique solution to the client’s requests while satisfying the design requirements of the neighborhood covenants. The house provides a variety of indoor and outdoor living spaces that can be utilized in all seasons. Most importantly, the house takes its cues directly from its natural surroundings and local building traditions to become a prototype solution for the “modern mountain house”. Overview Ranch Creek Ranch Winter Park, Colorado Completion Date October, 2007 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Photography by Jimi Smith / "Jimi Smith Photography"
Mid-sized minimalist backyard concrete and rectangular hot tub photo in Dallas

Planting under established trees can be daunting for homeowners. This area called for a more sedate planting design that would brighten the understory near the entry drive. Variegated Hosta and native ferns lightened the space with their bright green foliage and provide just enough textural difference to be interesting, but not overwhelming.

Path to side yard entrance. - General Contractor: Forte Estate Homes
This is an example of a mediterranean partial sun front yard stone garden path in Orange County for spring.

Photo shows back side of Japanese Tea House where the Tokonoma is located. On either side there is a hand designed stained glass window. The Inner Roji garden path of stepping stones is in the foreground. Photo credits: Dan Drobnick

We installed a raised garden bed made of redwood with individual timed sprinklers. This is a great contemporary garden with minimal upkeep.
Example of a mid-sized minimalist backyard concrete patio vegetable garden design in Orange County with no cover

Cut stone steps create a connection to the guest parking areas, driveway island and the front door. Utilizing a select few materials throughout the frontyard space provide a softer harmonious feel. Bringing lines across the spaces provides connectivity between spaces even with the driveway. Photo by Rachel Paul Photography

The Tice Residences replace a run-down and aging duplex with two separate, modern, Santa Barbara homes. Although the unique creek-side site (which the client’s original home looked toward across a small ravine) proposed significant challenges, the clients were certain they wanted to live on the lush “Riviera” hillside. The challenges presented were ultimately overcome through a thorough and careful study of site conditions. With an extremely efficient use of space and strategic placement of windows and decks, privacy is maintained while affording expansive views from each home to the creek, downtown Santa Barbara and Pacific Ocean beyond. Both homes appear to have far more openness than their compact lots afford. The solution strikes a balance between enclosure and openness. Walls and landscape elements divide and protect two private domains, and are in turn, carefully penetrated to reveal views. Both homes are variations on one consistent theme: elegant composition of contemporary, “warm” materials; strong roof planes punctuated by vertical masses; and floating decks. The project forms an intimate connection with its setting by using site-excavated stone, terracing landscape planters with native plantings, and utilizing the shade provided by its ancient Riviera Oak trees. 2012 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Merit Award Jim Bartsch Photography

Hot tub - large traditional backyard tile and custom-shaped infinity hot tub idea in DC Metro

Contemporary two-story mixed siding flat roof idea in Toronto