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.

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Cincinnati with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and gray countertops

Breakfast nook makes the most of the space with built-in custom banquette seating and one vintage chair painted in coral Fusion chalk paint. Rattan Pendant from Serena & Lily, and marble-topped pedestal table from Rejuvenation. Curtain fabric from Rose Tarlow.

This is the master bedroom of a French chateau built in the 1400’s. It is currently about 80% completed. This room sits in the most amazing spot in town, overlooking a medieval church, courtyard, and roundabout. The balcony is so lovely with its original iron railing, tall French doors, and wood shutters. The space itself is comfortable and cozy, rich with texture and highlighting, not overshadowing, the historical intricacies of this incredible home. Visit our website, we created a blog post for more information on this project.

The dining room ceiling got a new wood treatment to cover up a dated, stepped tray ceiling.
Example of a mid-sized transitional dark wood floor, brown floor and wood ceiling enclosed dining room design in Portland with gray walls and no fireplace

Master Bedroom. Photographed by Josh Roper
Bedroom - mid-sized traditional master carpeted bedroom idea in Boise with green walls and no fireplace

This is the master bedroom of a French chateau built in the 1400’s. It is currently about 80% completed. This room sits in the most amazing spot in town, overlooking a medieval church, courtyard, and roundabout. The balcony is so lovely with its original iron railing, tall French doors, and wood shutters. The space itself is comfortable and cozy, rich with texture and highlighting, not overshadowing, the historical intricacies of this incredible home. Visit our website, we created a blog post for more information on this project.

Inspiration for a timeless backyard deck remodel in DC Metro

INTERNATIONAL LANDSCAPING INC. I.L.I. is a well respected and highly decorated award-winning Landscape Design/Construct/Maintain firm. To learn more about the services that I.L.I. can offer you, please visit our website www.internationallandscaping.com. Let our experience help enhance your property, and turn your vision into reality.

Over a span of two years we completed several projects at this Tokoma Park, Maryland property. We cleaned up the backyard, renovated an existing swale, and installed water loving plants. The following year, we replaced the old pea gravel driveway with a permeable paver driveway. While doing the driveway we encountered spongey clay that was saturated from a leaking water line. We had to install concrete piers down to virgin soil to bear the weight of the walkway. The driveway excavation had to take into account the root zones of large trees. To avoid the surface roots we used a minimal excavation design. Our ultimate goal with this project was to ensure that the new walkways provided a safe and comfortable path for the homeowners and guest to get from their cars to porch whether parked along the street or in the driveway. To provide an extra layer of security, we added low-voltage lighting to accent trees and light the walkway, which were programmed to come on at dusk and turn off automatically at dawn. The new plantings are native species including River Birch, Swamp Hibiscus, Blue Flag Iris, and Common Rush, that are adapted to growing in wet soils. The permeable paver driveway will reduce runoff by storing rain in gravel base while allowing it to be absorbed into the soil below. The paver surface eliminates the tracking of pea gravel into the house while allowing heels to walk on it without sinking in. The swale handles runoff from all the uphill properties and the gravel keeps it from becoming a soggy mess. 
 During seasonal months, snow and leaf removal are greatly eased by having a hard surface to shovel or rake. The permeable pavers used are Techo-Bloc Villagio in Shale Grey and we installed a granite Belgian block border. We replaced existing broken concrete walkway with new curving flagstone walkway and connected the front steps to the driveway and side steps. All projects were consulted with the City of Takoma Park’s Urban Forest Manager, and the Montgomery County Historical Preservation Commission.

Home design - mid-sized asian cork floor home design idea with beige walls

INTERNATIONAL LANDSCAPING INC. I.L.I. is a well respected and highly decorated award-winning Landscape Design/Construct/Maintain firm. To learn more about the services that I.L.I. can offer you, please visit our website www.internationallandscaping.com. Let our experience help enhance your property, and turn your vision into reality.

Design ideas for a large traditional shade backyard brick landscaping with a fire pit.

This vintage style bathroom was inspired by it's 1930's art deco roots. The goal was to recreate a space that felt like it was original. With lighting from Rejuvenation, tile from B&W tile and Kohler fixtures, this is a small bathroom that packs a design punch. Interior Designer- Marilynn Taylor Interiors, Contractor- Allison Allain, Plumb Crazy Contracting.

Nicholas Alan Cope
Trendy black tile and mosaic tile bathroom photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets and gray walls

Floating shelves next to the fireplace with lower storage cabinet and shiplap wall treatment.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional open concept dark wood floor, brown floor and shiplap wall family room remodel in Portland with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Amanda James Photography
Trendy wooden u-shaped metal railing staircase photo in New York with wooden risers

Eat-in kitchen - large transitional l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and gray countertops

This is the master bedroom of a French chateau built in the 1400’s. It is currently about 80% completed. This room sits in the most amazing spot in town, overlooking a medieval church, courtyard, and roundabout. The balcony is so lovely with its original iron railing, tall French doors, and wood shutters. The space itself is comfortable and cozy, rich with texture and highlighting, not overshadowing, the historical intricacies of this incredible home. Visit our website, we created a blog post for more information on this project.