Extraordinary outdoor living space becomes the gathering spot with BBQ, dining area, and fire pit. Low maintenance landscaping with lighting to extend the night. Photo, Gene Meadows.

Artificial turf provides an attractive, low maintenance option for any landscape. Photo by Roger Haywood
Photo of a huge eclectic drought-tolerant and full sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in Denver with a fire pit for summer.

Mid-sized elegant backyard concrete and rectangular pool photo in Atlanta

The bluestone walk is laid in a contemporary pattern that creates movement and interest through the garden space. Lushly planted beds line both sides of the walk and provide plenty of color and interest in this front garden.

Photography: Agnieszka Jakubowicz
Example of a large trendy backyard stone and rectangular lap pool design in San Francisco

This one and a half acre garden juts into New York’s Long Island Sound. Improvements include new terracing around the house, elliptical pool, spa, stone and wood arbor, steps, extensive seaside plantings and outdoor furniture. Architecture: John Murray Architects (www.jbmarchitect.com) Landscape Architecture: Oehme, van Sweden and Associates (www.ovsla.com) Photography: John Knowlton/Till Gardens (www.tillgardens.com), Hilary Oat-Judge

Mid-sized transitional backyard stone and rectangular lap pool fountain photo in Orange County

This one and a half acre garden juts into New York’s Long Island Sound. Improvements include new terracing around the house, elliptical pool, spa, stone and wood arbor, steps, extensive seaside plantings and outdoor furniture. Architecture: John Murray Architects (www.jbmarchitect.com) Landscape Architecture: Oehme, van Sweden and Associates (www.ovsla.com) Photography: John Knowlton/Till Gardens (www.tillgardens.com), Hilary Oat-Judge

Astrid Gaiser
Inspiration for a transitional landscaping in San Francisco.

This one and a half acre garden juts into New York’s Long Island Sound. Improvements include new terracing around the house, elliptical pool, spa, stone and wood arbor, steps, extensive seaside plantings and outdoor furniture. Architecture: John Murray Architects (www.jbmarchitect.com) Landscape Architecture: Oehme, van Sweden and Associates (www.ovsla.com) Photography: John Knowlton/Till Gardens (www.tillgardens.com), Hilary Oat-Judge

This one and a half acre garden juts into New York’s Long Island Sound. Improvements include new terracing around the house, elliptical pool, spa, stone and wood arbor, steps, extensive seaside plantings and outdoor furniture. Architecture: John Murray Architects (www.jbmarchitect.com) Landscape Architecture: Oehme, van Sweden and Associates (www.ovsla.com) Photography: John Knowlton/Till Gardens (www.tillgardens.com), Hilary Oat-Judge

A custom cedar pergola defines the flagstone patio beside a rectangular in-ground swimming pool in McLean, VA. The fieldstone seating wall curves around the patio, separating the pool from the lawn and nearby tennis court.

Situated on a long level lot in the small town of Kenwood, with fantastic views of Sugar Loaf Ridge, this client wanted their country home to meet their needs in a way their city house could not. The Master Plan included the layout and material selection for the following elements: a large rectangular pool with raised spa, pool/guest house, shade arbor, outdoor shower, children’s play structure, bocce ball court, fire pit patio, dining patio, outdoor kitchen, raised vegetable beds, composting bins, orchard and rose garden. With fuller plantings in the heavy use areas and minimal drought tolerant plantings for screening around the perimeter, this plan created a lush garden close in - while limiting maintenance overall. Nann White

Inspired by the Louisiana architecture of A. Hays Town, this project replicates a Louisiana courtyard in the midst of this creekside estate. A pool is the centerpiece of the design, and is anchored by an antique brick clad spa. The spa, strategically placed on the home's main axis, was specifically purposed to replicate a courtyard fountain. The vegetation includes a mixture of trimmed boxwood hedges, ferns, and azaleas, as well as a variety of other broad leafed plants. The potted plants add seasonal interest and year-round decor. This project also features the best in outdoor living. A copper screened cabana house includes an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, and temperature controls for year round comfort. There is an outdoor firepit and seating area, sheltered by a vine covered trellis.

Situated on a long level lot in the small town of Kenwood, with fantastic views of Sugar Loaf Ridge, this client wanted their country home to meet their needs in a way their city house could not. The Master Plan included the layout and material selection for the following elements: a large rectangular pool with raised spa, pool/guest house, shade arbor, outdoor shower, children’s play structure, bocce ball court, fire pit patio, dining patio, outdoor kitchen, raised vegetable beds, composting bins, orchard and rose garden. With fuller plantings in the heavy use areas and minimal drought tolerant plantings for screening around the perimeter, this plan created a lush garden close in - while limiting maintenance overall. Nann White

Purple plant palette adds brush of color. Photo by Katrina L. Coombs
Example of a large minimalist pool design in Los Angeles

Enter through the garden to escape to this backyard oasis. Fountain sprayers create the soothing sound of running water, wonderful for a relaxing evening.

This one and a half acre garden juts into New York’s Long Island Sound. Improvements include new terracing around the house, elliptical pool, spa, stone and wood arbor, steps, extensive seaside plantings and outdoor furniture. Architecture: John Murray Architects (www.jbmarchitect.com) Landscape Architecture: Oehme, van Sweden and Associates (www.ovsla.com) Photography: John Knowlton/Till Gardens (www.tillgardens.com), Hilary Oat-Judge

This one and a half acre garden juts into New York’s Long Island Sound. Improvements include new terracing around the house, elliptical pool, spa, stone and wood arbor, steps, extensive seaside plantings and outdoor furniture. Architecture: John Murray Architects (www.jbmarchitect.com) Landscape Architecture: Oehme, van Sweden and Associates (www.ovsla.com) Photography: John Knowlton/Till Gardens (www.tillgardens.com), Hilary Oat-Judge