Product: Authentic Limestone for Exterior Living Spaces. Ancient Surfaces Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com The design of external living spaces is known as the 'Al Fresco' design style as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates into 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a fully functional outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, BBQ, fireplace or Jacuzzi pool spa all out of old reclaimed Mediterranean stone pieces is no easy task and shouldn’t be created out of the lowest common denominator of building materials such as concrete, Indian slates or Turkish travertine. The one thing you can bet the farmhouse on is that when the entire process unravels and when your outdoor living space materializes from the architects rendering to real life, you will be guaranteed a true Mediterranean living experience if your choice of construction material was as authentic and possible to the Southern Mediterranean regions. We believe that the coziness of your surroundings brought about by the creative usage of our antique stone elements will only amplify that authenticity. whether you are enjoying a relaxing time soaking the sun inside one of our Jacuzzi spa stone fountains or sharing unforgettable memories with family and friends while baking your own pizzas in one of our outdoor BBQ pizza ovens, our stone designs will always evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that one only gets while being on vacation is some exotic European island surrounded with the pristine beauty of indigenous nature and ancient architecture...

Photo of a french country formal garden in Seattle.

Deck - small contemporary rooftop deck idea in Chicago with a fire pit

Photography by Studio H Landscape Architecture & COCO Gallery. Post processing by Isabella Li.
Design ideas for a small modern backyard stone water fountain landscape in Orange County.

Pool - large traditional backyard brick and rectangular lap pool idea in Seattle

Phillip Ennis
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard rectangular pool house remodel in New York

Photo of a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard brick formal garden in Boston.

Trendy white one-story exterior home photo in Dallas with a hip roof

Inspiration for a large contemporary master white tile and marble tile white floor and marble floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door, white countertops and solid surface countertops

aluminum windows, glass railing, herringbone wood floors, modern furniture, modern living, pendant light
Living room - contemporary open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room idea in Los Angeles with white walls

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2016 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic patio remodel in San Francisco

Jacob Hand Photography
Family room - contemporary dark wood floor and brown floor family room idea in Chicago with white walls

The goal of this project was to provide a lush and vast garden for the new owners of this recently remodeled brick Georgian. Located in Wheaton this acre plus property is surrounded by beautiful Oaks. Preserving the Oaks became a particular challenge with the ample front walk and generous entertaining spaces the client desired. Under most of the Oaks the turf was in very poor condition, and most of the property was covered with undesirable overgrown underbrush such as Garlic Mustard weed and Buckthorn. With a recently completed addition, the garages were pushed farther from the front door leaving a large distance between the drive and entry to the home. This prompted the addition of a secondary door off the kitchen. A meandering walk curves past the secondary entry and leads guests through the front garden to the main entry. Off the secondary door a “kitchen patio” complete with a custom gate and Green Mountain Boxwood hedge give the clients a quaint space to enjoy a morning cup of joe. Stepping stone pathways lead around the home and weave through multiple pocket gardens within the vast backyard. The paths extend deep into the property leading to individual and unique gardens with a variety of plantings that are tied together with rustic stonewalls and sinuous turf areas. Closer to the home a large paver patio opens up to the backyard gardens. New stoops were constructed and existing stoops were covered in bluestone and mortared stonewalls were added, complimenting the classic Georgian architecture. The completed project accomplished all the goals of creating a lush and vast garden that fit the remodeled home and lifestyle of its new owners. Through careful planning, all mature Oaks were preserved, undesirables removed and numerous new plantings along with detailed stonework helped to define the new landscape.

Located in Highland Park, Texas just off the Katy Trail, is this outdoor patio project that took a stale, harsh exterior space and turned it into an inviting and private space for the owner to enjoy. The project featured custom planters, led lighting, privacy screen plantings, ipe wood deck and an outdoor fire pit with comfortable exterior furniture for relaxing and entertaining.

The owners of this vegetable garden purchased the undeveloped lot adjacent to their home and developed the sloping area into a collection of raised beds. - Photo by Kevin Bost

For this Boston-area former hunting lodge, featured in Outside the Not So Big House by Julie Moir Messervy and Sarah Susanka, JMMDS created a landscape design that anchors the house in the site and complements its Tuscan-inspired architectural update. An antique openwork wrought-iron gate provides access from the driveway to the courtyard and breaks up the solidity of the stone walls, crafted by an italian stonemason. The winding, informally-planted brick path leads to the back door, in contrast to the formal front entry. Photo: Grey Crawford.

Photography by Laura Moss
Coastal gray one-story wood exterior home idea in New York

Winquist Photography
Example of a trendy single front door design in Phoenix with a glass front door

Sophisticated driveway of a Houston estate, featuring a sleek brick pavement bordered by meticulously trimmed hedges and elegant potted trees. The clean white brick walls and arches enhance the modern aesthetic, while the carefully maintained greenery adds a touch of nature. The simple yet stylish design creates a welcoming entrance, blending seamlessly with the luxurious ambiance of the property.