Techo-Bloc has redefined landscape products once again with this eye-catching ultra-modern double-sided retaining wall. The Graphix wall’s varying depths and unique but simple installation process creates a 3 dimensional visual effect. The mix of smooth and chiseled textures add another factor of visual interest to this wall, making it perfect for design lovers and those seeking something sleek and out of the box. Great for retaining soil, building planters, blade walls or vertical elements such as fire, water or outdoor kitchen features. Graphix is part of the dry cast collection. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/walls/graphix-wall/

Perfect paving slab for modern poolsides and backyard design, Blu Grande Smooth is a large concrete patio stone available in multiple colors. Its smooth texture is sleek to the eye but rougher to the touch which avoids it from getting slippery when wet. Learn more about this large modern concrete slab here: https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/blu-grande-smooth/

Pool by Aqua Blue Pools Charleston. Landscape Design by Robert Chestnut.
Large beach style two-story and backyard stucco, stone and rectangular white and natural pool house photo in Charleston with a hip roof

This riverfront property received a major facelift while keeping with the traditional style of the home. Working between an existing bulkhead and a covered patio off the back of the house, we incorporated various design elements to add plenty of "rooms" for the homeowners to entertain in. The linear pool features an elevated inset spa, with infinity edge. The pool deck, landing, and cabana floor are travertine. Brick stairs and walls match the existing brick from the property. A linear fire pit sits in a sunken gravel patio, to create a more intimate space and soften the feel of the hardscape surround. Raised planters break up space and add a bright pop of color, encouraging butterflies and birds to visit often. Photo by Josh Mauser

Saturday, May 30, 3:30 to 5:00pm | Pacific Palisades Amalfi Jay Griffith of Jay Griffith This one-acre site at a 120-foot elevation overlooking Rustic Canyon has breathtaking, panoramic views. Though the California Monterrey colonial style house was built in 1933 for the silent film star Billie Dove, every aspect of the garden is new except for the Eucalyptus. A long interwoven hedge acts as a green plinth transforming the 150-wide house into a giant sculptural element. Giant raw steel planters created in homage to sculptor Richard Serra repeat this theme. The front garden is patterned after the Court of the Myrtles at the Alhambra in Seville, Spain, while the rear garden embraces the expansive view and is toned in aqueous colored succulent plantings that tie into the rectangular swimming pool. The muted color palette focuses attention on the contrasting plant textures and sculptural qualities, from arcing white Agaves, giant blue Fan Palms, and sinuous Eucalyptus. The south facing kitchen courtyard showcases indigenous California pottery materials and an extensive collection of Hollywood movie garden furniture memorabilia. Photos by Jorge Rafael

Saturday, May 30, 3:30 to 5:00pm | Pacific Palisades Amalfi Jay Griffith of Jay Griffith This one-acre site at a 120-foot elevation overlooking Rustic Canyon has breathtaking, panoramic views. Though the California Monterrey colonial style house was built in 1933 for the silent film star Billie Dove, every aspect of the garden is new except for the Eucalyptus. A long interwoven hedge acts as a green plinth transforming the 150-wide house into a giant sculptural element. Giant raw steel planters created in homage to sculptor Richard Serra repeat this theme. The front garden is patterned after the Court of the Myrtles at the Alhambra in Seville, Spain, while the rear garden embraces the expansive view and is toned in aqueous colored succulent plantings that tie into the rectangular swimming pool. The muted color palette focuses attention on the contrasting plant textures and sculptural qualities, from arcing white Agaves, giant blue Fan Palms, and sinuous Eucalyptus. The south facing kitchen courtyard showcases indigenous California pottery materials and an extensive collection of Hollywood movie garden furniture memorabilia. Photos by Jorge Rafael

The contemporary design of the Kes sectional sofa is almost unlimited in the shapes and sizes it can form. Each sectional piece has a slot along the side and back for positioning the back support or a glass top side table. The seat cushions and back pillows are covered with Silvertex, a 100% polyester fabric. It is resistant to sun fading, mildew, temperature extremes and abrasion. The pillows are 19.75'' square. The table is also available as a free standing unit. Round or rectangular shapes are options. A matching L-shaped privacy screen, 55''W x 47''H with a wing of 23.5'' with a single pedestal base is also available. The frame of the screen is made of stainless steel with a lacquered finish in several color choices. The fabric is Batyline® which is extremely durable has exceptional weather and UV resistance and is easily cleaned. A matching planter, 35.5'' x 35.5'' x 15'' high is also available. All frame pieces are made of rotationally molded of 100% recyclable polyethylene and resistant to extreme heat, cold and UV. The frames are available with a matte or high gloss lacquer finish in several colors.

Katy Sheppard - New gate sets the tone.
Photo of a small transitional shade courtyard stone landscaping in Chicago for spring.

Succulents are quickly becoming a staple in contemporary floral arrangements. And with a lighting component, Succulent Garden adds a new feature to this trending design. Featuring numerous real touch succulent picks along with a color changing remote controlled LED light, this is a perfect accessory to transition from indoor to outdoor living.

This home evokes a sensuous St. Barth lifestyle on Lake Michigan, designed for globetrotting clients who wanted a weekend sanctuary near their primary residence in Chicago. The project brief included open plan living for entertaining, a family lounge, and bedroom suites for houseguests. The first level is a glass rectangular volume that makes the second level appear to float over the dune and offers water views through the structure. Clad in Accoya, the upper level will gray with age and blend into the landscape. These two horizontal volumes are connected by a double-height glass entry space that reveals a floating staircase. A contemporary beach aesthetic unifies the interior through an edited palette of materials, including white oak millwork, large-format porcelain tile, and a range of warm whites. Interior tile extends out to the pool terrace, uniting the spaces and amplifying the connection to the outdoors. The landscape design enhances the experience. A courtyard with sculptural Ginkgo trees offers refuge from lake breezes. On the pool terrace, custom Cor-Ten planters overflow with Russian Sage, selected for graceful foliage that sways in the breeze and offers a relaxing herbal aroma.

The contemporary design of the Kes sectional sofa is almost unlimited in the shapes and sizes it can form. Each sectional piece has a slot along the side and back for positioning the back support or a glass top side table. The seat cushions and back pillows are covered with Silvertex, a 100% polyester fabric. It is resistant to sun fading, mildew, temperature extremes and abrasion. The pillows are 19.75'' square. The table is also available as a free standing unit. Round or rectangular shapes are options. A matching L-shaped privacy screen, 55''W x 47''H with a wing of 23.5'' with a single pedestal base is also available. The frame of the screen is made of stainless steel with a lacquered finish in several color choices. The fabric is Batyline® which is extremely durable has exceptional weather and UV resistance and is easily cleaned. A matching planter, 35.5'' x 35.5'' x 15'' high is also available. All frame pieces are made of rotationally molded of 100% recyclable polyethylene and resistant to extreme heat, cold and UV. The frames are available with a matte or high gloss lacquer finish in several colors.

This backyard outdoor kitchen is inspired by our Graphix Wall. Techo-Bloc has redefined landscape products once again with this eye-catching ultra-modern double-sided retaining wall. The Graphix wall’s varying depths and unique but simple installation process creates a 3 dimensional visual effect. The mix of smooth and chiseled textures add another factor of visual interest to this wall, making it perfect for design lovers and those seeking something sleek and out of the box. Great for retaining soil, building planters, blade walls or vertical elements such as fire, water or outdoor kitchen features. Graphix is part of the dry cast collection. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/walls/graphix-wall/

Mid-sized trendy backyard concrete paver patio photo in Phoenix with a fireplace and a roof extension

Contemporary take on a typical narrow rectangular new built townhouse garden. Curved Corten steel border works as focal feature with a floating curved bench. Mediterranean plant pallet gives this garden a warmer feel. Paved center gives this family with kids plenty o room to run and play.

Techo-Bloc has redefined landscape products once again with this eye-catching ultra-modern double-sided retaining wall. The Graphix wall’s varying depths and unique but simple installation process creates a 3 dimensional visual effect. The mix of smooth and chiseled textures add another factor of visual interest to this wall, making it perfect for design lovers and those seeking something sleek and out of the box. Great for retaining soil, building planters, blade walls or vertical elements such as fire, water or outdoor kitchen features. Graphix is part of the dry cast collection. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/walls/graphix-wall/

This lovely landscape sports a poured in place concrete slab patio with drought tolerant sedum plants between the slabs. This sedum mix is sold in sheets then cut to fit but it’s actually grown for green-roof application. It works perfectly in this hot environment too as it is extremely drought tolerant and can go a month without water. Because the water runoff is absorbed between the slabs the patio drainage works perfectly and there are no need for drains.The swimming pool is of the fiberglass variety. Though the initial investment is greater than that of vinyl pools the ROI is greater over a 10 year period. Fiberglass pools retains more heat as the pool shell is all one piece and they don’t ever require a new liner.. This fiberglass pool has cool built-in benching and steps. And there is even a swim jet built into one side great for those cardio blasting swims. The pool interior colour is grey though it shows a soft blue/grey when water is added due to the reflection of the sky and other surroundings. The pool coping is natural stone with rock face edge. The steel arbour was custom made. Metal (steel) was chosen for it’s slim strength as wood placed here would have been too chunky. The best rooms (indoors or our) have a subtle layering of textural elements. To me this landscape needed a structure here to define the “rooms” It will look even better in a few years when the vines reach the top and the Miscanthus on either side reaches its 7′ height!The 12′ x 16′ pavilion is also made of steel and houses an alfresco dining table and sofa set. The pavilions built in cupola makes the warm breezes comfortably pass through with no need for a fan. It’s also sunken 2′ from the pool/patio height and nestled nicely in the corner. I must also mention the large slim planters with “Red Shades” Canna lily within. They are the perfect boldness/balance!Step through the arbor and a linear pond with “floating” natural stone step is revealed! Two smooth flow scuppers are responsible for the quiet waterfalls either side. A wood deck overhangs the pond adding softness to the setting. A modern retaining wall with natural stone cap runs the full width of the pond and pool adding interest and dimension. In the covered outdoor living area this wall is the perfect seat wall - adding lots of extra party seating! The lesson to be learned here is that good design can be applied to any space. This backyard is only 50′ x 45′ and look what can be achieved! Landscape design and photography by Melanie Rekola

What a difference a day makes! In one day, we totally transformed this terrace from barren to beautiful. Playing on a contemporary Zen theme, we planted bamboo, a weeping cherry, a crape myrtle, hydrangeas, petunias, feather grasses, and creeping Jenny. We recommended a contemporary looking seating arrangement with red chairs for a pop of bright color. Even a small space like this feels totally different with the addition of lush plantings. The bamboo really helps to soften the view of a nearby building. While it’s almost impossible to have complete privacy in a space like this, the plantings create enough of a buffer to make the space feel more intimate and enclosed than it did previously. See more of our projects at www.amberfreda.com.

Concrete planters and container gardens.
Photo of a large mediterranean drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard stone landscaping in Portland.

A functional herb garden created with floating planters and framed with a gorgeous lime plant in a blue planter.
Patio container garden - small eclectic backyard concrete patio container garden idea in Austin with an awning