No more crying over spilled milk, hot coffee, or your favorite cocktail. The Table Server’s line of tables’ - high quality, stylish hardwood end tables and side tables in various finishes and sizes - with cup holders, can help you save time and money by preventing spills. The cup holders on all our tables are built-in into the tabletop and can hold everything from wine bottles to wine glasses to pint glasses to plastic red cups. The ChairSide is the essential media room table. With two cup holders to prevent spills, The ChairSide fits comfortably alongside your favorite chair or couch and will help you enjoy an Oscar winning movie or follow your favorite team as they play a big game. Your snacks are always secure from sliding off the table top with a gallery trimmed lip along the edge. Available in deep mahogany finish with an oval leg base and a vibrant oak or rich mahogany finish with a turned leg base. The height on the Turned Leg ChairSides are adjustable giving you even more flexability around your home.

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER Baby boomers residing in this single-family colonial in Mclean, Virginia, wanted to make big changes indoors and out. First, they were tired of their back yard and old wooden deck. The neighboring lot sloped steeply downward, creating significant run-off that prevented any semblance of a lawn or landscaping from taking hold. Worse, it prevented the couple from letting their grandchildren or dog out to play. To address the issue, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes excavated their entire yard so it was level. Then they designed and built a 5’ x 40’ retaining wall covered with ledger stone to separate the lots, installing an underground drainage system to keep runoff away from a new flagstone patio and surrounding plants and shrubs. Above the stone patio is a large no-maintenance deck reached via a wide stairway with matching railing. A 12’ x 18’ screened in porch sits to one side featuring cedar beaded ceiling panels and French doors that lead into the home’s dining room. Highlighting the interior renovations is a new gourmet kitchen with a custom-made wood cabinets and exotic granite countertops. The room’s focal point is a large island with a two-tier countertop and bar seating. Professional-grade stainless steel appliances include a gas cooktop, double-wall ovens, built-in microwave and dishwasher and large refrigerator. Other features include a porcelain tile floor, tile backsplash and a tray ceiling. A new master bathroom features floor-to-ceiling cabinets, a dark marble countertop and his and hers sinks. Contrasting light-colored marble floor and wall tile leads to a glass-enclosed shower. An adjoining walk-in closet completes the design.

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER Baby boomers residing in this single-family colonial in Mclean, Virginia, wanted to make big changes indoors and out. First, they were tired of their back yard and old wooden deck. The neighboring lot sloped steeply downward, creating significant run-off that prevented any semblance of a lawn or landscaping from taking hold. Worse, it prevented the couple from letting their grandchildren or dog out to play. To address the issue, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes excavated their entire yard so it was level. Then they designed and built a 5’ x 40’ retaining wall covered with ledger stone to separate the lots, installing an underground drainage system to keep runoff away from a new flagstone patio and surrounding plants and shrubs. Above the stone patio is a large no-maintenance deck reached via a wide stairway with matching railing. A 12’ x 18’ screened in porch sits to one side featuring cedar beaded ceiling panels and French doors that lead into the home’s dining room. Highlighting the interior renovations is a new gourmet kitchen with a custom-made wood cabinets and exotic granite countertops. The room’s focal point is a large island with a two-tier countertop and bar seating. Professional-grade stainless steel appliances include a gas cooktop, double-wall ovens, built-in microwave and dishwasher and large refrigerator. Other features include a porcelain tile floor, tile backsplash and a tray ceiling. A new master bathroom features floor-to-ceiling cabinets, a dark marble countertop and his and hers sinks. Contrasting light-colored marble floor and wall tile leads to a glass-enclosed shower. An adjoining walk-in closet completes the design.

No more crying over spilled milk, hot coffee, or your favorite cocktail. The Table Server’s line of tables’ - high quality, stylish hardwood end tables and side tables in various finishes and sizes - with cup holders, can help you save time and money by preventing spills. The cup holders on all our tables are built-in into the tabletop and can hold everything from wine bottles to wine glasses to pint glasses to plastic red cups. The ChairSide is the essential media room table. With two cup holders to prevent spills, The ChairSide fits comfortably alongside your favorite chair or couch and will help you enjoy an Oscar winning movie or follow your favorite team as they play a big game. Your snacks are always secure from sliding off the table top with a gallery trimmed lip along the edge. Available in deep mahogany finish with an oval leg base and a vibrant oak or rich mahogany finish with a turned leg base. The height on the Turned Leg ChairSides are adjustable giving you even more flexability around your home.

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER Baby boomers residing in this single-family colonial in Mclean, Virginia, wanted to make big changes indoors and out. First, they were tired of their back yard and old wooden deck. The neighboring lot sloped steeply downward, creating significant run-off that prevented any semblance of a lawn or landscaping from taking hold. Worse, it prevented the couple from letting their grandchildren or dog out to play. To address the issue, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes excavated their entire yard so it was level. Then they designed and built a 5’ x 40’ retaining wall covered with ledger stone to separate the lots, installing an underground drainage system to keep runoff away from a new flagstone patio and surrounding plants and shrubs. Above the stone patio is a large no-maintenance deck reached via a wide stairway with matching railing. A 12’ x 18’ screened in porch sits to one side featuring cedar beaded ceiling panels and French doors that lead into the home’s dining room. Highlighting the interior renovations is a new gourmet kitchen with a custom-made wood cabinets and exotic granite countertops. The room’s focal point is a large island with a two-tier countertop and bar seating. Professional-grade stainless steel appliances include a gas cooktop, double-wall ovens, built-in microwave and dishwasher and large refrigerator. Other features include a porcelain tile floor, tile backsplash and a tray ceiling. A new master bathroom features floor-to-ceiling cabinets, a dark marble countertop and his and hers sinks. Contrasting light-colored marble floor and wall tile leads to a glass-enclosed shower. An adjoining walk-in closet completes the design.

Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential $30,000-$60,000 Award Level: Silver Project Description: Our company was contracted to do a master plan for the family who was in desperate need of a rear yard renovation. The existing lawn area remained saturated throughout most of the year and the runoff from the neighboring property ran across their back yard, down the side of their property and all the way to the sidewalk in front of their house. The water was so intense that it had begun to cut through the back yard and erode the soil across the sidewalk and into the nearby storm drain. By identifying these drainage problems and discussing solutions with the homeowner, we were able to design and create the aesthetically pleasing and sustainable solution of a rain garden. The goal was to slow down storm water runoff, and catch pollution and sediment by creating a rain garden that acts as a filter prior to entering the storm drain, while enhancing the aesthetics of the property. The rain garden created was a shallow depression, 12 - 16" deep that collects rainfall runoff from all downspouts of the home and water collected into perforated pipes underneath the lawn area. The perforated pipe begins at the highest elevation in the yard and ends in the rain garden, the new lowest elevation that has been excavated down to an 8" depth. The perforated pipe captures the runoff water and allows the water to seep slowly back into the ground as it runs across the property and into the garden. The garden was lined with a geotextile filter fabric to aide in removing contaminants from the water, prevent migration of the stone in to the soil, and minimalize maintenance. A large variety of plant material was chosen, focusing mainly on native wetland species for their tolerance of our local soil types, moisture conditions and the habitat they provide for wildlife. The garden was abundant with native wildlife and was a sustainable ecosystem for birds and butterflies upon completion of the project. After planting, we arranged decorative stone throughout the garden to slow the flow of water and help prevent erosion. The combination of vegetative and stone surfaces provides temporary storage for runoff before the water either evaporates or infiltrates the soil. The surrounding beds throughout the property were also all amended with compost and replanted with plants that work in harmony with the rain garden. The front, side, and rear yards are a beautiful display of colors that bloom throughout the seasons and the plants throughout the entire property provide food and shelter for native wildlife. The rear yard that was once a muddy play space for the kids is now a dry lawn space that can be utilized by the family and their neighbors. This multi­ functional garden has become the focal point of the residence. Photo Credit: Terren Landscapes

Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential $30,000-$60,000 Award Level: Silver Project Description: Our company was contracted to do a master plan for the family who was in desperate need of a rear yard renovation. The existing lawn area remained saturated throughout most of the year and the runoff from the neighboring property ran across their back yard, down the side of their property and all the way to the sidewalk in front of their house. The water was so intense that it had begun to cut through the back yard and erode the soil across the sidewalk and into the nearby storm drain. By identifying these drainage problems and discussing solutions with the homeowner, we were able to design and create the aesthetically pleasing and sustainable solution of a rain garden. The goal was to slow down storm water runoff, and catch pollution and sediment by creating a rain garden that acts as a filter prior to entering the storm drain, while enhancing the aesthetics of the property. The rain garden created was a shallow depression, 12 - 16" deep that collects rainfall runoff from all downspouts of the home and water collected into perforated pipes underneath the lawn area. The perforated pipe begins at the highest elevation in the yard and ends in the rain garden, the new lowest elevation that has been excavated down to an 8" depth. The perforated pipe captures the runoff water and allows the water to seep slowly back into the ground as it runs across the property and into the garden. The garden was lined with a geotextile filter fabric to aide in removing contaminants from the water, prevent migration of the stone in to the soil, and minimalize maintenance. A large variety of plant material was chosen, focusing mainly on native wetland species for their tolerance of our local soil types, moisture conditions and the habitat they provide for wildlife. The garden was abundant with native wildlife and was a sustainable ecosystem for birds and butterflies upon completion of the project. After planting, we arranged decorative stone throughout the garden to slow the flow of water and help prevent erosion. The combination of vegetative and stone surfaces provides temporary storage for runoff before the water either evaporates or infiltrates the soil. The surrounding beds throughout the property were also all amended with compost and replanted with plants that work in harmony with the rain garden. The front, side, and rear yards are a beautiful display of colors that bloom throughout the seasons and the plants throughout the entire property provide food and shelter for native wildlife. The rear yard that was once a muddy play space for the kids is now a dry lawn space that can be utilized by the family and their neighbors. This multi­ functional garden has become the focal point of the residence. Photo Credit: Terren Landscapes

The Yin-Yang House is a net-zero energy single-family home in a quiet Venice, CA neighborhood. The design objective was to create a space for a large and growing family with several children, which would create a calm, relaxed and organized environment that emphasizes public family space. The home also serves as a place to entertain, and a welcoming space for teenagers as they seek social space with friends. The home is organized around a series of courtyards and other outdoor spaces that integrate with the interior of the house. Facing the street the house appears to be solid. However, behind the steel entry door is a courtyard, which reveals the indoor-outdoor nature of the house behind the solid exterior. From the entry courtyard, the entire space to the rear garden wall can be seen; the first clue of the home’s spatial connection between inside and out. These spaces are designed for entertainment, and the 40 foot sliding glass door to the living room enhances the harmonic relationship of the main room, allowing the owners to host many guests without the feeling of being overburdened. The tensions of the house’s exterior are subtly underscored by a 12-inch steel band that hews close to, but sometimes rises above or falls below the floor line of the second floor – a continuous loop moving inside and out like a pen that is never lifted from the page, but reinforces the intent to spatially weave together the indoors with the outside as a single space. Scale manipulation also plays a formal role in the design of the structure. From the rear, the house appears to be a single-story volume. The large master bedroom window and the outdoor steps are scaled to support this illusion. It is only when the steps are animated with people that one realizes the true scale of the house is two stories. The kitchen is the heart of the house, with an open working area that allows the owner, an accomplished chef, to converse with friends while cooking. Bedrooms are intentionally designed to be very small and simple; allowing for larger public spaces, emphasizing the family over individual domains. The breakfast room looks across an outdoor courtyard to the guest room/kids playroom, establishing a visual connection while defining the separation of uses. The children can play outdoors while under adult supervision from the dining area or the office, or do homework in the office while adults occupy the adjacent outdoor or indoor space. Many of the materials used, including the bamboo interior, composite stone and tile countertops and bathroom finishes are recycled, and reinforce the environmental DNA of the house, which also has a green roof. Blown-in cellulose insulation, radiant heating and a host of other sustainable features aids in the performance of the building’s heating and cooling. The active systems in the home include a 12 KW solar photovoltaic panel system, the largest such residential system available on the market. The solar panels also provide shade from the sun, preventing the house from becoming overheated. The owners have been in the home for over nine months and have yet to receive a power bill.

This striking arrangement of natural boulders and drought-tolerant plants that not only enhances the visual appeal but also plays a crucial role in controlling erosion. Complementing the boulders, a selection of drought-tolerant plants is thoughtfully integrated into the design. These plants, with their diverse textures and colors, create a vibrant landscape that thrives in Santa Fe’s arid climate. Ornamental grasses rise alongside the boulders, adding height and movement, while flowering plants provide splashes of color that attract pollinators and enhance biodiversity. Ground cover is used to fill in gaps, preventing soil erosion while also softening the edges of the boulders. The overall effect is a harmonious blend of hard scape and soft scape that draws the eye along the driveway, making the journey more visually engaging while ensuring that the landscape remains sustainable and functional. This design approach not only beautifies the property but also promotes environmental stewardship by minimizing water usage and preventing soil loss.

This black and white photograph presents a close-up, angled view of a modern architectural detail. The focus is a section of a building's facade, constructed from panels arranged in a grid-like pattern. Each panel contains a perfectly circular perforation, creating a rhythmic repetition of negative space. The stark contrast between the solid panels and the dark voids emphasizes the geometric design, while the grayscale tones highlight the play of light and shadow across the textured surface. The perspective of the shot draws the eye diagonally across the frame, enhancing the sense of depth and dimension within the repetitive pattern. The high-contrast black and white treatment accentuates the clean lines and precise forms of the architectural element. The uniformity of the perforations creates a sense of order and structure, typical of modern and minimalist architectural styles. The subtle variations in shading on the metallic surfaces suggest a play of light, hinting at a three-dimensional quality and preventing the image from appearing flat. This creates a compelling visual texture, inviting the viewer to explore the interplay of shapes and tones within the monochromatic composition. For Prints, please visit: https://pipafineart.com/pages/black-and-white-binary-rhythm-architectural-photograph

Although the L-shaped stairway prevented us from running a large connected family room running the length of the basement, we did realize during our evaluation that it would provide a perfect place to add a wet bar. Thus, providing our homeowners with another item that they could check off of their wishlist.

Child safe fencing that locks to prevent the little ones from playing around the pool (below) unattended. A great solution to the normal ugly black "temporary" pool fencing. Contractor: South Canyon Construction, Inc. Photo: Jody Pribyl

Among our Houston outdoor kitchens, this one is unique because of its concrete countertops, pergola with stucco wrapping and custom storage. "It's not one of our biggest covered outdoor kitchens in Houston," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. "But it's unique, and it looks really nice, too!" The client, a young family, wanted an outdoor kitchen with a more minimalistic, modern look, explains Outdoor Homescapes senior designer Lisha Maxey. "They're both doctors and very much attuned to detail," she says. "Their primary goal was to create a space where they could lounge while the children played as well as an area to entertain family and friends while cooking and dining outside." Like a growing number of people wanting small outdoor kitchens in Houston, this client expressed interest in using concrete as a surface material: "The look is contemporary and is easily paired with any type of outdoor furniture," says Maxey, "from wicker to teak to iron." Here's a closeup of the concrete countertops. You'll notice that they're glossy and smooth like glass, thanks to special sealers and a topcoat of UV-resistant resin that prevents the countertop from yellowing. Since these particular clients lean toward the minimalistic side of contemporary design, she continues, "the standard granite countertop of many Houston outdoor kitchens would not work, since it typically has a lot of movement and can be busy." Lisha sees the use of concrete as a growing outdoor design trend for Houston outdoor kitchens: "It's easy to maintain and again, leans towards a more modern look for outdoor." All the furniture and lighting is from Restoration Hardware, says Lisha, who's offering $500 in free outdoor furniture consultation services as a special promotion. (Interested? Just contact us!) The dining and lounge chairs are from the Antibes collection in cast aluminum with a bronze finish. The table is a Belgian Trestle made of weathered concrete and teak. Simple track lighting was used on the pergola in keeping with the minimalist look of the space. The pergola is a treated pine, stained a Minwax Jacobean, which appears almost black. "This client chose a pergola over a roof extension off the house because they wanted it to still seem light and airy in their outdoor space for their young children," explains Lisha. "They wanted a certain degree of sun and shade protection, which a pergola does provide, but they wanted it to seem a bit like a park for the kids to play in." "The seating/storage bin was not a part of the original design," says Lisha. "As the project progressed, the client expressed interest in some sort of chest for the new outdoor furniture cushions to be stored in." The design for the storage bin was developed to accommodate this request: "It eventually evolved into a seating area as well. And to keep the look consistent with the new kitchen, it was agreed that the stone be carried through the design. The wood top was necessary so we could design a hinged access for storage."

Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential $30,000-$60,000 Award Level: Silver Project Description: Our company was contracted to do a master plan for the family who was in desperate need of a rear yard renovation. The existing lawn area remained saturated throughout most of the year and the runoff from the neighboring property ran across their back yard, down the side of their property and all the way to the sidewalk in front of their house. The water was so intense that it had begun to cut through the back yard and erode the soil across the sidewalk and into the nearby storm drain. By identifying these drainage problems and discussing solutions with the homeowner, we were able to design and create the aesthetically pleasing and sustainable solution of a rain garden. The goal was to slow down storm water runoff, and catch pollution and sediment by creating a rain garden that acts as a filter prior to entering the storm drain, while enhancing the aesthetics of the property. The rain garden created was a shallow depression, 12 - 16" deep that collects rainfall runoff from all downspouts of the home and water collected into perforated pipes underneath the lawn area. The perforated pipe begins at the highest elevation in the yard and ends in the rain garden, the new lowest elevation that has been excavated down to an 8" depth. The perforated pipe captures the runoff water and allows the water to seep slowly back into the ground as it runs across the property and into the garden. The garden was lined with a geotextile filter fabric to aide in removing contaminants from the water, prevent migration of the stone in to the soil, and minimalize maintenance. A large variety of plant material was chosen, focusing mainly on native wetland species for their tolerance of our local soil types, moisture conditions and the habitat they provide for wildlife. The garden was abundant with native wildlife and was a sustainable ecosystem for birds and butterflies upon completion of the project. After planting, we arranged decorative stone throughout the garden to slow the flow of water and help prevent erosion. The combination of vegetative and stone surfaces provides temporary storage for runoff before the water either evaporates or infiltrates the soil. The surrounding beds throughout the property were also all amended with compost and replanted with plants that work in harmony with the rain garden. The front, side, and rear yards are a beautiful display of colors that bloom throughout the seasons and the plants throughout the entire property provide food and shelter for native wildlife. The rear yard that was once a muddy play space for the kids is now a dry lawn space that can be utilized by the family and their neighbors. This multi­ functional garden has become the focal point of the residence. Photo Credit: Terren Landscapes

This striking arrangement of natural boulders and drought-tolerant plants that not only enhances the visual appeal but also plays a crucial role in controlling erosion. Complementing the boulders, a selection of drought-tolerant plants is thoughtfully integrated into the design. These plants, with their diverse textures and colors, create a vibrant landscape that thrives in Santa Fe’s arid climate. Ornamental grasses rise alongside the boulders, adding height and movement, while flowering plants provide splashes of color that attract pollinators and enhance biodiversity. Groundcover is used to fill in gaps, preventing soil erosion while also softening the edges of the boulders. The overall effect is a harmonious blend of hardscape and softscape that draws the eye along the driveway, making the journey more visually engaging while ensuring that the landscape remains sustainable and functional. This design approach not only beautifies the property but also promotes environmental stewardship by minimizing water usage and preventing soil loss.

The Yin-Yang House is a net-zero energy single-family home in a quiet Venice, CA neighborhood. The design objective was to create a space for a large and growing family with several children, which would create a calm, relaxed and organized environment that emphasizes public family space. The home also serves as a place to entertain, and a welcoming space for teenagers as they seek social space with friends. The home is organized around a series of courtyards and other outdoor spaces that integrate with the interior of the house. Facing the street the house appears to be solid. However, behind the steel entry door is a courtyard, which reveals the indoor-outdoor nature of the house behind the solid exterior. From the entry courtyard, the entire space to the rear garden wall can be seen; the first clue of the home’s spatial connection between inside and out. These spaces are designed for entertainment, and the 40 foot sliding glass door to the living room enhances the harmonic relationship of the main room, allowing the owners to host many guests without the feeling of being overburdened. The tensions of the house’s exterior are subtly underscored by a 12-inch steel band that hews close to, but sometimes rises above or falls below the floor line of the second floor – a continuous loop moving inside and out like a pen that is never lifted from the page, but reinforces the intent to spatially weave together the indoors with the outside as a single space. Scale manipulation also plays a formal role in the design of the structure. From the rear, the house appears to be a single-story volume. The large master bedroom window and the outdoor steps are scaled to support this illusion. It is only when the steps are animated with people that one realizes the true scale of the house is two stories. The kitchen is the heart of the house, with an open working area that allows the owner, an accomplished chef, to converse with friends while cooking. Bedrooms are intentionally designed to be very small and simple; allowing for larger public spaces, emphasizing the family over individual domains. The breakfast room looks across an outdoor courtyard to the guest room/kids playroom, establishing a visual connection while defining the separation of uses. The children can play outdoors while under adult supervision from the dining area or the office, or do homework in the office while adults occupy the adjacent outdoor or indoor space. Many of the materials used, including the bamboo interior, composite stone and tile countertops and bathroom finishes are recycled, and reinforce the environmental DNA of the house, which also has a green roof. Blown-in cellulose insulation, radiant heating and a host of other sustainable features aids in the performance of the building’s heating and cooling. The active systems in the home include a 12 KW solar photovoltaic panel system, the largest such residential system available on the market. The solar panels also provide shade from the sun, preventing the house from becoming overheated. The owners have been in the home for over nine months and have yet to receive a power bill.

This striking arrangement of natural boulders and drought-tolerant plants that not only enhances the visual appeal but also plays a crucial role in controlling erosion. Complementing the boulders, a selection of drought-tolerant plants is thoughtfully integrated into the design. These plants, with their diverse textures and colors, create a vibrant landscape that thrives in Santa Fe’s arid climate. Ornamental grasses rise alongside the boulders, adding height and movement, while flowering plants provide splashes of color that attract pollinators and enhance biodiversity. Groundcover is used to fill in gaps, preventing soil erosion while also softening the edges of the boulders. The overall effect is a harmonious blend of hardscape and softscape that draws the eye along the driveway, making the journey more visually engaging while ensuring that the landscape remains sustainable and functional. This design approach not only beautifies the property but also promotes environmental stewardship by minimizing water usage and preventing soil loss.

Among our Houston outdoor kitchens, this one is unique because of its concrete countertops, pergola with stucco wrapping and custom storage. "It's not one of our biggest covered outdoor kitchens in Houston," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. "But it's unique, and it looks really nice, too!" The client, a young family, wanted an outdoor kitchen with a more minimalistic, modern look, explains Outdoor Homescapes senior designer Lisha Maxey. "They're both doctors and very much attuned to detail," she says. "Their primary goal was to create a space where they could lounge while the children played as well as an area to entertain family and friends while cooking and dining outside." Like a growing number of people wanting small outdoor kitchens in Houston, this client expressed interest in using concrete as a surface material: "The look is contemporary and is easily paired with any type of outdoor furniture," says Maxey, "from wicker to teak to iron." Here's a closeup of the concrete countertops. You'll notice that they're glossy and smooth like glass, thanks to special sealers and a topcoat of UV-resistant resin that prevents the countertop from yellowing. Since these particular clients lean toward the minimalistic side of contemporary design, she continues, "the standard granite countertop of many Houston outdoor kitchens would not work, since it typically has a lot of movement and can be busy." Lisha sees the use of concrete as a growing outdoor design trend for Houston outdoor kitchens: "It's easy to maintain and again, leans towards a more modern look for outdoor." All the furniture and lighting is from Restoration Hardware, says Lisha, who's offering $500 in free outdoor furniture consultation services as a special promotion. (Interested? Just contact us!) The dining and lounge chairs are from the Antibes collection in cast aluminum with a bronze finish. The table is a Belgian Trestle made of weathered concrete and teak. Simple track lighting was used on the pergola in keeping with the minimalist look of the space. The pergola is a treated pine, stained a Minwax Jacobean, which appears almost black. "This client chose a pergola over a roof extension off the house because they wanted it to still seem light and airy in their outdoor space for their young children," explains Lisha. "They wanted a certain degree of sun and shade protection, which a pergola does provide, but they wanted it to seem a bit like a park for the kids to play in." "The seating/storage bin was not a part of the original design," says Lisha. "As the project progressed, the client expressed interest in some sort of chest for the new outdoor furniture cushions to be stored in." The design for the storage bin was developed to accommodate this request: "It eventually evolved into a seating area as well. And to keep the look consistent with the new kitchen, it was agreed that the stone be carried through the design. The wood top was necessary so we could design a hinged access for storage."

This striking arrangement of natural boulders and drought-tolerant plants that not only enhances the visual appeal but also plays a crucial role in controlling erosion. Complementing the boulders, a selection of drought-tolerant plants is thoughtfully integrated into the design. These plants, with their diverse textures and colors, create a vibrant landscape that thrives in Santa Fe’s arid climate. Ornamental grasses rise alongside the boulders, adding height and movement, while flowering plants provide splashes of color that attract pollinators and enhance biodiversity. Groundcover is used to fill in gaps, preventing soil erosion while also softening the edges of the boulders. The overall effect is a harmonious blend of hardscape and softscape that draws the eye along the driveway, making the journey more visually engaging while ensuring that the landscape remains sustainable and functional. This design approach not only beautifies the property but also promotes environmental stewardship by minimizing water usage and preventing soil loss.