The Portola Valley Residence and Pavilion is a composition of staggered and interlocking rectangular spaces that cling to the slope as it gradually wraps around the hillside. As the interior floor level slowly steps down, echoing the natural grade, it increases the floor-to-ceiling height, flooding the space with expanded views and abundant natural light. Carefully defined interior spaces with plaster and stone veneer walls offer a fitting backdrop for the owner's dramatic art collection. The home’s terraced roof design and careful selection of natural materials equally complement its human and natural environments.

In a stylistic departure from the main house, the 750 sf guest pavilion combines three small geometric elements to form a pleasant guest, entertainment space . . . and yard sculpture.

Close up view of the Spill Edges (scuppers). This wall brings screening for privacy from the road (project is a corner lot) while adding to the linear concept of the whole project. 8 - 12" stainless steal spill edges were used. One set of four are 2' high while the other set of 4 is 4' high. Photo and design by Mike Farley

In the hills of San Anselmo in Marin County, this 5,000 square foot existing multi-story home was enlarged to 6,000 square feet with a new dance studio addition with new master bedroom suite and sitting room for evening entertainment and morning coffee. Sited on a steep hillside one acre lot, the back yard was unusable. New concrete retaining walls and planters were designed to create outdoor play and lounging areas with stairs that cascade down the hill forming a wrap-around walkway. The goal was to make the new addition integrate the disparate design elements of the house and calm it down visually. The scope was not to change everything, just the rear façade and some of the side facades. The new addition is a long rectangular space inserted into the rear of the building with new up-swooping roof that ties everything together. Clad in red cedar, the exterior reflects the relaxed nature of the one acre wooded hillside site. Fleetwood windows and wood patterned tile complete the exterior color material palate. The sitting room overlooks a new patio area off of the children’s playroom and features a butt glazed corner window providing views filtered through a grove of bay laurel trees. Inside is a television viewing area with wetbar off to the side that can be closed off with a concealed pocket door to the master bedroom. The bedroom was situated to take advantage of these views of the rear yard and the bed faces a stone tile wall with recessed skylight above. The master bath, a driving force for the project, is large enough to allow both of them to occupy and use at the same time. The new dance studio and gym was inspired for their two daughters and has become a facility for the whole family. All glass, mirrors and space with cushioned wood sports flooring, views to the new level outdoor area and tree covered side yard make for a dramatic turnaround for a home with little play or usable outdoor space previously. Photo Credit: Paul Dyer Photography.

Referencing this square footage as an internal courtyard might be a stretch. A more accurate description would perhaps be the awesome things that New Yorkers can do with the tiny spaces we have. The parameters of the project lend to its description. This Tribeca residential building’s shared amenity space and gym on the lower level opens up onto a 350 square foot space of brick walls and concrete pavers. The south wall of this space is made up by the terraces belonging to the residential units above and while the setting allows for minimal ambient light, each balcony looks down onto the shared space below. In order to provide visual interest from the gym and the overhead views, Blondie’s designers Sara Baerwald and Eva Vessio utilized Jay Scott’s rectangle containers lining the north wall as well as surrounding the utilities in the southwest corner. They then created 8 foot faux boxwood hedge on the north wall and the appropriate height to conceal the utilities. From below the hedge creates the feeling of a courtyard and from above it softens the view of the once barren space. Adding color and functionality, the concrete pavers were replaced with rubber tiles in a bright aqua. To play off of this color and add a unique level of visual impact, artist Chris Pearson designed and painted a multi-color prism mural. Primarily on the east wall and then stretching over the hedges to the south, the depth and dimension that this mural provides for the space is incredible. It is a testament to the successful solutions we conjure when thinking outside the box and allowing for unique site specific resolutions.

This luxurious master bathroom is the highlight of a stunning Sunnyvale home addition. Designed as a spa-like en suite, it features a dramatic tub-less master bath with a spacious curbless walk-in shower, frameless glass enclosure, large-format porcelain tile, built-in niche, and a rainfall + handheld shower combo. The elegant freestanding double vanity boasts classic white Shaker-style doors, topped with crisp white quartz countertops and rectangular undermount sinks. Above, two oversized backlit LED mirrors provide soft, flattering light, perfectly complementing the serene neutral palette and contemporary chrome fixtures. Thoughtful details like succulent planters and recessed lighting complete this modern transitional master bathroom — a perfect blend of luxury, cleanliness, and 2025’s most sought-after bathroom trends.

This contemporary design connects the house to the cabana office both physically and architecturally. Two sets of 12" stainless steal spill edges were used to be visible from both the office and the home. Colored and textured concrete blended with the Leuters limestone coping. Grass strips broke up the paving and blended the pools cape and landscape together which further enhances the linear concept. Photo and design by Mike Farley

Built by: J.A. Long, Inc Design Builders
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard stone and rectangular lap hot tub remodel in Jacksonville

1/4 minus pathway, basalt rock wall, built-in cedar planters, Claremont Collection WAll Block by Rosetta, Columbia Slate Patio Stone, Columbia Slate Patio Stone Pavers by Mutual Materials, corten steel firepit, Outdoor Living Space, Ambient Landscape Lighting, Firepit, Outdoor Fireplace, Seat & reflection Wall, hot tub Be Burke Photography

Referencing this square footage as an internal courtyard might be a stretch. A more accurate description would perhaps be the awesome things that New Yorkers can do with the tiny spaces we have. The parameters of the project lend to its description. This Tribeca residential building’s shared amenity space and gym on the lower level opens up onto a 350 square foot space of brick walls and concrete pavers. The south wall of this space is made up by the terraces belonging to the residential units above and while the setting allows for minimal ambient light, each balcony looks down onto the shared space below. In order to provide visual interest from the gym and the overhead views, Blondie’s designers Sara Baerwald and Eva Vessio utilized Jay Scott’s rectangle containers lining the north wall as well as surrounding the utilities in the southwest corner. They then created 8 foot faux boxwood hedge on the north wall and the appropriate height to conceal the utilities. From below the hedge creates the feeling of a courtyard and from above it softens the view of the once barren space. Adding color and functionality, the concrete pavers were replaced with rubber tiles in a bright aqua. To play off of this color and add a unique level of visual impact, artist Chris Pearson designed and painted a multi-color prism mural. Primarily on the east wall and then stretching over the hedges to the south, the depth and dimension that this mural provides for the space is incredible. It is a testament to the successful solutions we conjure when thinking outside the box and allowing for unique site specific resolutions.

Signature Pools inc.
Inspiration for a large coastal backyard stone and rectangular hot tub remodel in Orlando

Tiny Urban Planted Patio
Inspiration for a small contemporary front yard patio container garden remodel in San Francisco with decking and no cover

The inspiration for these planter boxes were drawn from the glass blocks used in the facade of this modern home. Cladded in zinc coated copper, this is the same material used as the trim on the home. This material choice and design helps to blend the landscape and architecture together. Photo by George Dzahristos

This luxurious master bathroom is the highlight of a stunning Sunnyvale home addition. Designed as a spa-like en suite, it features a dramatic tub-less master bath with a spacious curbless walk-in shower, frameless glass enclosure, large-format porcelain tile, built-in niche, and a rainfall + handheld shower combo. The elegant freestanding double vanity boasts classic white Shaker-style doors, topped with crisp white quartz countertops and rectangular undermount sinks. Above, two oversized backlit LED mirrors provide soft, flattering light, perfectly complementing the serene neutral palette and contemporary chrome fixtures. Thoughtful details like succulent planters and recessed lighting complete this modern transitional master bathroom — a perfect blend of luxury, cleanliness, and 2025’s most sought-after bathroom trends.

Referencing this square footage as an internal courtyard might be a stretch. A more accurate description would perhaps be the awesome things that New Yorkers can do with the tiny spaces we have. The parameters of the project lend to its description. This Tribeca residential building’s shared amenity space and gym on the lower level opens up onto a 350 square foot space of brick walls and concrete pavers. The south wall of this space is made up by the terraces belonging to the residential units above and while the setting allows for minimal ambient light, each balcony looks down onto the shared space below. In order to provide visual interest from the gym and the overhead views, Blondie’s designers Sara Baerwald and Eva Vessio utilized Jay Scott’s rectangle containers lining the north wall as well as surrounding the utilities in the southwest corner. They then created 8 foot faux boxwood hedge on the north wall and the appropriate height to conceal the utilities. From below the hedge creates the feeling of a courtyard and from above it softens the view of the once barren space. Adding color and functionality, the concrete pavers were replaced with rubber tiles in a bright aqua. To play off of this color and add a unique level of visual impact, artist Chris Pearson designed and painted a multi-color prism mural. Primarily on the east wall and then stretching over the hedges to the south, the depth and dimension that this mural provides for the space is incredible. It is a testament to the successful solutions we conjure when thinking outside the box and allowing for unique site specific resolutions.

This bold modern landscape showcases Northstone’s expertise in precision design and luxury outdoor construction. The layout features a dramatic diamond paver pattern in charcoal, contrasted by clean architectural lines and sculptural elements throughout. At the center, an infinity-edge custom concrete pool spills into a lower-level catch basin, flanked by a sunken lounge with integrated fire features. Oversized steps and custom aluminum planters create a striking, tiered transition that anchors the space with scale and sophistication. Recognized as the leading landscape and pool design-build firm in Montreal and Toronto, Northstone delivers complex, high-impact outdoor spaces through a fully in-house team of over 180 professionals. Our reputation is built on craftsmanship, innovation, and consistency at every phase.

This contemporary design connects the house to the cabana office both physically and architecturally. Two sets of 12" stainless steal spill edges were used to be visible from both the office and the home. Colored and textured concrete blended with the Leuters limestone coping. Grass strips broke up the paving and blended the pools cape and landscape together which further enhances the linear concept. Photo and design by Mike Farley

Request Free Quote This pool and hot tub in Hinsdale, IL, completed this year, measures 20'0 x 40'0" and has a 7'0" x 8'0" hot tub inside the pool. The sunshelf measures 5'0" x 11'0" and has steps attached. The pool coping is Valders Wisconsin Limestone. The pool also features LED colored lighting. An automatic cover protects and preserves the pool and spa together. Photos by Larry Huene

This bold modern landscape showcases Northstone’s expertise in precision design and luxury outdoor construction. The layout features a dramatic diamond paver pattern in charcoal, contrasted by clean architectural lines and sculptural elements throughout. At the center, an infinity-edge custom concrete pool spills into a lower-level catch basin, flanked by a sunken lounge with integrated fire features. Oversized steps and custom aluminum planters create a striking, tiered transition that anchors the space with scale and sophistication. Recognized as the leading landscape and pool design-build firm in Montreal and Toronto, Northstone delivers complex, high-impact outdoor spaces through a fully in-house team of over 180 professionals. Our reputation is built on craftsmanship, innovation, and consistency at every phase.

This luxurious master bathroom is the highlight of a stunning Sunnyvale home addition. Designed as a spa-like en suite, it features a dramatic tub-less master bath with a spacious curbless walk-in shower, frameless glass enclosure, large-format porcelain tile, built-in niche, and a rainfall + handheld shower combo. The elegant freestanding double vanity boasts classic white Shaker-style doors, topped with crisp white quartz countertops and rectangular undermount sinks. Above, two oversized backlit LED mirrors provide soft, flattering light, perfectly complementing the serene neutral palette and contemporary chrome fixtures. Thoughtful details like succulent planters and recessed lighting complete this modern transitional master bathroom — a perfect blend of luxury, cleanliness, and 2025’s most sought-after bathroom trends.