This 3200 square foot home features a maintenance free exterior of LP Smartside, corrugated aluminum roofing, and native prairie landscaping. The design of the structure is intended to mimic the architectural lines of classic farm buildings. The outdoor living areas are as important to this home as the interior spaces; covered and exposed porches, field stone patios and an enclosed screen porch all offer expansive views of the surrounding meadow and tree line. The home’s interior combines rustic timbers and soaring spaces which would have traditionally been reserved for the barn and outbuildings, with classic finishes customarily found in the family homestead. Walls of windows and cathedral ceilings invite the outdoors in. Locally sourced reclaimed posts and beams, wide plank white oak flooring and a Door County fieldstone fireplace juxtapose with classic white cabinetry and millwork, tongue and groove wainscoting and a color palate of softened paint hues, tiles and fabrics to create a completely unique Door County homestead. Mitch Wise Design, Inc. Richard Steinberger Photography

I will just be quiet while you observe.
Photo of a large contemporary partial sun backyard gravel landscaping in Minneapolis for summer.

Photo of a mid-sized coastal full sun backyard brick and wood fence formal garden in Boston for spring.

Photo: Claire Esparros for Homepolish
Home yoga studio - home yoga studio idea in New York

Photo of a traditional landscaping in New York.

Bathroom - traditional bathroom idea in Boston

A woodland path can be a very special part of an outdoor retreat. The layout of the project detailed different settings and focal points. In some cases you are sitting next to a pond observing a waterfall; in other cases you’re walking through a woodland path. The result is a wonderful outdoor experience. www.deckandpatio.com

This Seattle waterfront home received a design overhaul. The revamped home earns its minimalist design with Nordic profiles and Japanese allure, nestled on the banks of the Lake Washington shoreline. The Laurelhurst neighborhood is charming as well as highly desired for the region. The home is conveniently situated just north of downtown Seattle, filled with commerce, arts and culture. However, its discreet location begs for a slower pace of life with water recreation at the ready. The quiet refuge boasts a private dock and boat house for days full of lakeside enjoyment. The remodel kept the existing building perimeter intact, observing the tight bounds of the neighborhood. To optimize the location, a minimalist design with awe-inspiring materials was selected. Keeping the exterior simple, the thin white brick base of the home contrasts the Sho Sugi Ban second-story exterior. Furthermore, the gable roof mimics the traditional Scandinavian home profile that is notorious for simplicity.

The lone chair seems to call for a person with a book to sit in this quiet, upstairs retreat overlooking the lake. This is a great getaway space, with easy viewing across the property and a place to observe lake activities. James A. Salomon

The idea for the creation of this clock began while listening to 'Clair de lune' by Debussy. The fascinating melody and the image of moonlight inspired the artist. This cuckoo wall clock, ‘Moontime’, has captured the poetry of this magic moment. The subdued lights, the peace and quiet of a ‘midsummer’s night’ where the atmosphere becomes ironic with amusing images: the calm, detached and relaxed cat observing the daring canary popping in and out of the wide open cage. This cuckoo clock is made of black painted wood, the artwork is white with a very simple design which is quite childish yet elegant, recalling a type of vintage style. The moon is depicted very simply as if seen through a small round window where the cat is sitting and where the hands of the clock are placed. Situated below the window is the open cage where the cuckoo mechanism is positioned and on the hour the canary pops out to defy the cat. The base has a linear motif and a vase with a plant, from this base a black pendulum hangs, completing the work of art. It has a quartz mechanism with a photosensitive sensor that automatically turns off the cuckoo sound in the absence of light.

The goal of this project was to craft clean lines, gentle flows, and seasonal texture within an established woodland setting. Challenges arose from dappled light and deer pressure, along with the need for minimal irrigation. These conditions inspired us to create a woodland meadow enriched with understory birches, flowering shrubs, part-shade perennials, and spring bulbs. The inclusion of woodland ephemerals, stepping-stone paths and strategically-placed boulders enhanced the opportunity for quiet contemplation and wildlife observation. The crisp, curved edges of the tightly-jointed walks invite you into the garden while clearly defining maintenance areas. Angela Kearney, Minglewood, LLC

The goal of this project was to craft clean lines, gentle flows, and seasonal texture within an established woodland setting. Challenges arose from dappled light and deer pressure, along with the need for minimal irrigation. These conditions inspired us to create a woodland meadow enriched with understory birches, flowering shrubs, part-shade perennials, and spring bulbs. The inclusion of woodland ephemerals, stepping-stone paths and strategically-placed boulders enhanced the opportunity for quiet contemplation and wildlife observation. The crisp, curved edges of the tightly-jointed walks invite you into the garden while clearly defining maintenance areas. Angela Kearney, Minglewood, LLC

The goal of this project was to craft clean lines, gentle flows, and seasonal texture within an established woodland setting. Challenges arose from dappled light and deer pressure, along with the need for minimal irrigation. These conditions inspired us to create a woodland meadow enriched with understory birches, flowering shrubs, part-shade perennials, and spring bulbs. The inclusion of woodland ephemerals, stepping-stone paths and strategically-placed boulders enhanced the opportunity for quiet contemplation and wildlife observation. The crisp, curved edges of the tightly-jointed walks invite you into the garden while clearly defining maintenance areas. Angela Kearney, Minglewood, LLC

The goal of this project was to craft clean lines, gentle flows, and seasonal texture within an established woodland setting. Challenges arose from dappled light and deer pressure, along with the need for minimal irrigation. These conditions inspired us to create a woodland meadow enriched with understory birches, flowering shrubs, part-shade perennials, and spring bulbs. The inclusion of woodland ephemerals, stepping-stone paths and strategically-placed boulders enhanced the opportunity for quiet contemplation and wildlife observation. The crisp, curved edges of the tightly-jointed walks invite you into the garden while clearly defining maintenance areas. Angela Kearney, Minglewood, LLC

The goal of this project was to craft clean lines, gentle flows, and seasonal texture within an established woodland setting. Challenges arose from dappled light and deer pressure, along with the need for minimal irrigation. These conditions inspired us to create a woodland meadow enriched with understory birches, flowering shrubs, part-shade perennials, and spring bulbs. The inclusion of woodland ephemerals, stepping-stone paths and strategically-placed boulders enhanced the opportunity for quiet contemplation and wildlife observation. The crisp, curved edges of the tightly-jointed walks invite you into the garden while clearly defining maintenance areas. Angela Kearney, Minglewood, LLC

The goal of this project was to craft clean lines, gentle flows, and seasonal texture within an established woodland setting. Challenges arose from dappled light and deer pressure, along with the need for minimal irrigation. These conditions inspired us to create a woodland meadow enriched with understory birches, flowering shrubs, part-shade perennials, and spring bulbs. The inclusion of woodland ephemerals, stepping-stone paths and strategically-placed boulders enhanced the opportunity for quiet contemplation and wildlife observation. The crisp, curved edges of the tightly-jointed walks invite you into the garden while clearly defining maintenance areas. Angela Kearney, Minglewood, LLC

The goal of this project was to craft clean lines, gentle flows, and seasonal texture within an established woodland setting. Challenges arose from dappled light and deer pressure, along with the need for minimal irrigation. These conditions inspired us to create a woodland meadow enriched with understory birches, flowering shrubs, part-shade perennials, and spring bulbs. The inclusion of woodland ephemerals, stepping-stone paths and strategically-placed boulders enhanced the opportunity for quiet contemplation and wildlife observation. The crisp, curved edges of the tightly-jointed walks invite you into the garden while clearly defining maintenance areas. Angela Kearney, Minglewood, LLC

Witch Hazel: A Shrub That Teaches Patience in the Garden Witch hazel is a reminder that some of the most rewarding garden plants operate on a different timetable. Unlike shrubs that demand attention with bold flowers or fast growth, witch hazel reveals its value slowly and intentionally. Its most striking feature often appears when gardeners least expect it, with delicate, ribbon-like blooms emerging in late winter while much of the landscape still rests. This timing alone sets witch hazel apart. Winter-blooming shrubs change the way gardeners experience their landscapes, encouraging observation during a season that is often overlooked. Planted near windows, paths, or entryways, witch hazel offers moments of surprise and quiet beauty when color is scarce. Its subtle fragrance and fine-textured flowers add depth without overwhelming the surrounding environment. Beyond bloom, witch hazel contributes structure and balance to the garden year-round. Its branching form develops naturally into an open, graceful shape that rarely requires pruning. During the growing season, its foliage blends effortlessly with perennials, groundcovers, and woodland plants, creating cohesion rather than competition. In autumn, the leaves shift to soft golden tones, easing the transition into dormancy. Witch hazel also supports a slower, more sustainable approach to gardening. Once established, it asks very little in return, adapting well to its surroundings and thriving without constant inputs. Its fallen leaves enrich the soil, reinforcing natural cycles that benefit neighboring plants. In a garden culture often driven by instant results, witch hazel stands as a counterpoint. It rewards patience, invites reflection, and becomes more meaningful with time. For gardeners willing to embrace its rhythm, witch hazel offers not just seasonal interest, but a deeper connection to the quiet moments that make gardening truly fulfilling. https://www.onlineplantnursery.com/products/witch-hazel https://treenurseryco.com/witch-hazel-shrub https://www.wholesalenurseryco.com/products/witch-hazel https://www.tennesseewholesalenursery.com/products/witch-hazel https://www.tnnursery.net/products/witch-hazel

Drawn to the site’s serene location and the prospect of a quiet life after retirement, the homeowners purchased a parcel of land at the northern end of the Gallatin Range in Bozeman, Montana. After five years of engaging with the terrain and observing the local wildlife, they purchased the two adjacent parcels to preserve the optimal views of Paradise Valley and the Bridger Mountains. There, the homeowners envisioned a compact yet modern retreat with a fire-retardant building envelope and minimal disruption to the landscape and wildlife. Known for their sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, the homeowner entrusted Lori Ryker of studioryker and Riverbend Builders to bring his vision to life and construct a home with modern comforts and natural materials harmonizing with the land. “The owner was acutely in-tune with the landscape of the property, loving to watch wildlife, and interested in a house that sat down in the land instead of having a prominent profile in the landscape as so many “trophy” homes do,” shares Ryker. The proximity to the forest and concern for fire led the home to be clad almost fully in steel with an apron of crushed rock on the ground surrounding the dwelling. Corten steel was selected for the building envelope for its low maintenance and ability to rust into a natural hue that blends with the surrounding landscape. Sustainability was a core principle throughout the design process. Inside, the home’s radiant-heated, polished concrete floors contribute to passive heating and cooling by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night. Folding glass walls enhance the home’s energy efficiency by allowing natural light and ventilation to flow freely through the interior spaces. For a cohesive appearance, all fenestration was specified in the color iron ore with triple glazing to ensure excellent thermal insulation, reducing energy consumption year-round.