Deck container garden - traditional deck container garden idea in Chicago with a pergola

Peter Murdock
Deck container garden - contemporary backyard deck container garden idea in New York with decking and no cover

The pergola, above the uppermost horizontal 'strip' of cedar, is a bronze poly-carbonate, which allows light to come through, but which blocks UV rays and keeps out the rain. It's also available in clear, and a few more colors.

Example of an island style outdoor patio shower design in Hawaii

This sunroom faces into a private outdoor courtyard. With the use of oversized, double-pivoting doors, the inside and outside spaces are seamlessly connected. In the cooler months, the room is a warm enclosed space bathed in sunlight and surrounded by plants. Aaron Leitz Photography

Baulinder Haus is located just a few houses down from a landmark Kansas City area home designed by Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer. Baulinder Haus draws inspiration from the details of the neighboring home. Vertically oriented wood siding, simple forms, and overhanging masses—these were part of Breuer’s modernist palette. The house’s form consists of a series of stacked boxes, with public spaces on the ground level and private spaces in the boxes above. The boxes are oriented in a U-shaped plan to create a generous private courtyard. This was designed as an extension of the interior living space, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling south facing windows in the courtyard are shaded by the overhanging second floor above to prohibit solar heat gain, but allow for passive solar heating in the winter. Other sustainable elements of the home include a geothermal heat pump HVAC system, energy efficient windows and sprayed foam insulation. The exterior wood is a vertical shiplap siding milled from FSC certified Machiche. Baulinder Haus was designed to meet and exceed requirements put forward by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their Indoor airPLUS qualified homes, and is working toward Energy Star qualification. Machiche and steel screening elements provide depth and texture to front facade.

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

Peter Murdock
Example of a mid-sized trendy deck design in New York with decking and no cover

Paul Dyer
Large classic front porch idea in San Francisco with decking and a roof extension

Donny Mays Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary full sun backyard stone landscaping in Portland.

Hoi Ning Wong
Photo of a traditional full sun formal garden in San Francisco.

Private, protected urban roof garden. Photography: Van Inwegen Digital Arts.
Inspiration for a contemporary patio remodel in Chicago

Unlimited Style Photography http://www.houzz.com/photos/41070934/Trellis-and-Firepit-Area-West-View-contemporary-exterior-los-angeles#lb-edit

David Lauer
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master white tile and marble tile porcelain tile and white floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Denver with white walls

Deck - contemporary backyard deck idea in Chicago with decking and a pergola

Giana Allen Design - created these bed nooks as a cozy option in a loft where the sloping roof line made an area in a room that otherwise would have gone unused. The accent color creates an intimate feeling and highlights the space. Custom homes, furniture and design all done by Allen. www.gianaallendesign.com

Outdoor living room designed by Sue Oda Landscape Architect. Photo: ilumus photography & marketing Model: The Mighty Mighty Mellow, Milo McPhee, Esq.