Mudroom - mid-sized coastal laminate floor mudroom idea in Toronto with white walls

Corynne Pless Photography © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic living room remodel in Los Angeles

Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room remodel in Chicago with yellow walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

David Duncan Livingston
Inspiration for a mediterranean orange tile bathroom remodel in San Francisco with a pedestal sink and white walls

Taylor Anne Gimza Photography
Mountain style basement photo in Toronto

Large elegant underground medium tone wood floor and brown floor basement photo in Toronto with brown walls

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

This 300 gallon saltwater community aquarium is viewable from both the kitchen/bar and billiard room of the residence. A powder coated steel frame surrounded with fully removable access panels supports the tank. A custom coral overflow insert was added to the interior of the aquarium as well.

Desert Willow, Arizona Rosewood, California Fuchsia, Mexican Feathergrass rows along lawn, Arizona Buff flagstone-faced steps (me)
Design ideas for a large southwestern partial sun courtyard landscaping in Albuquerque.

Custom made light fixtures that you can use to swing down the hall. Design: Gast Architects Photo by: Stephen Fridge
Hallway - large contemporary ceramic tile hallway idea in San Francisco with beige walls

Four twin-size bunks and two trundle bed hideaway behind a pair of paneled doors in the basement recreation room. Durable carpet is practical but paneled wainscoting and hand-hewn timber and oak plank ceiling really dress up the space. Woodruff Brown Photography

Hollyhock House, Frank Lloyd Wright, 1921
Inspiration for a modern living room remodel in Los Angeles

Photo: Corynne Pless Photography © 2014 Houzz
Cottage dining room photo in New York

Example of a large trendy carpeted and gray floor basement design in Seattle with gray walls

This is a 25'x35'x4.5' recreational swimming pond in downtown Boyne City, MI. Built for a family with a toddler and teenager this Aquascape system relies on biomimicry for crystal clear water and safe water without the use of chemicals. Using a bog, intake bay, wetland and waterfalls to filter the water this pond remains clean and fun. When not being played in it is a beautiful thing to behold and with the lights installed the night vignettes are magical. The family has a pond house (pool house:) on the far side of the installation which was also designed and built by Waterpaw.

John R Mastera, Architect
Example of a classic pool design in New York

Open, finished lower level recreation room just down from the main level living area.
Game room - large 1960s open concept carpeted and beige floor game room idea in Denver with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

John R Mastera, Architect
Home gym - traditional home gym idea in New York

This is a 25'x35'x4.5' recreational swimming pond in downtown Boyne City, MI. Built for a family with a toddler and teenager this Aquascape system relies on biomimicry for crystal clear water and safe water without the use of chemicals. Using a bog, intake bay, wetland and waterfalls to filter the water this pond remains clean and fun. When not being played in it is a beautiful thing to behold and with the lights installed the night vignettes are magical. The family has a pond house (pool house:) on the far side of the installation which was also designed and built by Waterpaw.