Photo by Jay Sifford.

An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Photo of a contemporary landscaping in San Francisco.

Photo by Jay Sifford.

Sandprints Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard deck remodel in San Luis Obispo with a fire pit and no cover

Inspiration for a modern kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Philadelphia.

Striking foliage of spiderwort (tradescantia) and elephant ears creates drama.
Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Boston for summer.

Deep green Rosemary branches upward near a blue green cuspated Agave.
Inspiration for a small mediterranean drought-tolerant and partial sun brick landscaping in Santa Barbara for summer.

This is an example of a large traditional partial sun backyard stone garden path in New York.

Hostas, ferns, Coral Bells, Harebell, and Carpet Bugle make great partners.
Photo of a small modern shade concrete paver garden path in Denver.

Fern, impatiens, coleus, and sweet potato vine plantings brighten a shady corner.
Photo of a traditional landscaping in Boston for summer.

Mediterranean exterior home idea in San Francisco

The area is so deeply shaded by tree cover, the elevated garden supports shade-loving plants like this Giant Chain Fern (Woodwardia fimbriata) and nearby Alumroot. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography

Photo: Kathleen Shaeffer

A pair of Victoria agave.
Photo of a southwestern landscaping in Phoenix.

Hen and Chicks 'Carmen', Sempervivum, Photo Credit: Bushnell Gardens Nursery, Granite Bay, CA
Photo of a mid-sized eclectic drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard landscaping in Sacramento for summer.