Custom granite seat walls and firepit with Pennsylvania bluestone cap. Random pattern square cut PA bluestone patio surface. Red Laceleaf Japanese Maple enframes the view. Alan & Linda Detrick Photography

Allison Cartwright
Example of a trendy white two-story gable roof design in Austin

Photo of a large rustic partial sun backyard stone formal garden in Philadelphia with a fire pit.

Located in the private Cypress Point neighborhood in Plano, this small backyard was transformed from a small garden area to an updated and modern outdoor living area. In addition to the new covered porch and fire place, we have added outdoor seating for chaise lounges, along with a modern plunge pool & spa with raised backdrop fountain feature. The project also features built-in seating, fountain spillways, decorative pool tile, step stones and all new landscaping to provide a lush, private retreat for the owners.

Photo by George Dzahristos
Design ideas for a transitional shade concrete landscaping in Detroit.

Middlefork was retained to update and revitalize this North Shore home to a family of six. The primary goal of this project was to update and expand the home's small, eat-in kitchen. The existing space was gutted and a 1,500-square-foot addition was built to house a gourmet kitchen, connected breakfast room, fireside seating, butler's pantry, and a small office. The family desired nice, timeless spaces that were also durable and family-friendly. As such, great consideration was given to the interior finishes. The 10' kitchen island, for instance, is a solid slab of white velvet quartzite, selected for its ability to withstand mustard, ketchup and finger-paint. There are shorter, walnut extensions off either end of the island that support the children's involvement in meal preparation and crafts. Low-maintenance Atlantic Blue Stone was selected for the perimeter counters. The scope of this phase grew to include re-trimming the front façade and entry to emphasize the Georgian detailing of the home. In addition, the balance of the first floor was gutted; existing plumbing and electrical systems were updated; all windows were replaced; two powder rooms were updated; a low-voltage distribution system for HDTV and audio was added; and, the interior of the home was re-trimmed. Two new patios were also added, providing outdoor areas for entertaining, dining and cooking. Tom Harris, Hedrich Blessing

Mid-sized elegant backyard concrete paver patio photo in Richmond with a fire pit and no cover

Marion Brenner Photography
Example of a large minimalist front yard stone full sun patio design in San Francisco with a fire pit

The patio and fire pit align with the kitchen and dining area of the home and flows outward from the redone existing deck.
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless backyard concrete paver patio remodel in Milwaukee with no cover and a fire pit

Hartley Hill Design When our clients moved into their already built home they decided to live in it for a while before making any changes. Once they were settled they decided to hire us as their interior designers to renovate and redesign various spaces of their home. As they selected the spaces to be renovated they expressed a strong need for storage and customization. They allowed us to design every detail as well as oversee the entire construction process directing our team of skilled craftsmen. The home is a traditional home so it was important for us to retain some of the traditional elements while incorporating our clients style preferences. Custom designed by Hartley and Hill Design. All materials and furnishings in this space are available through Hartley and Hill Design. www.hartleyandhilldesign.com 888-639-0639 Neil Landino Photography

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Our clients wanted to create a backyard that would grow with their young family as well as with their extended family and friends. Entertaining was a huge priority! This family-focused backyard was designed to equally accommodate play and outdoor living/entertaining. The outdoor living spaces needed to accommodate a large number of people – adults and kids. Urban Oasis designed a deck off the back door so that the kitchen could be 36” height, with a bar along the outside edge at 42” for overflow seating. The interior space is approximate 600 sf and accommodates both a large dining table and a comfortable couch and chair set. The fire pit patio includes a seat wall for overflow seating around the fire feature (which doubles as a retaining wall) with ample room for chairs. The artificial turf lawn is spacious enough to accommodate a trampoline and other childhood favorites. Down the road, this area could be used for bocce or other lawn games. The concept is to leave all spaces large enough to be programmed in different ways as the family’s needs change. A steep slope presents itself to the yard and is a focal point. Planting a variety of colors and textures mixed among a few key existing trees changed this eyesore into a beautifully planted amenity for the property. Jimmy White Photography

Karen Bussolini
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional partial sun backyard stone landscaping in New York.

Eric Rorer
Large mid-century modern gray two-story mixed siding flat roof photo in San Francisco

Example of a large classic backyard stone and rectangular pool house design in DC Metro

Traditional Style Fire Feature - the Prescott Fire Pit - using Techo-Bloc's Prescott wall & Piedimonte cap.
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard concrete patio remodel in Charlotte with a fire pit

The “handrill” of Corten steel follows the peastone and steel steps down a steep slope to pour into a round basin, emptying into a channel that meanders through the narrow back garden at ground level, ending finally in a boulder fountain. Devised to minimize root disturbance for the tall existing pines on the property, the continuous Corten steel structure is supported by concrete tubes rather than a foundation that would have required extensive excavation. Architect: Wolf Architects, Inc. General Contractor: GF Rhode Construction, Inc. Landscape Contractor: Robert Hanss, Inc. Steel Fabrication: Wovensteel and Richard Duca Water Systems: Pond Creations by Sean Photo by Susan Teare.

Ryann Ford
Inspiration for a contemporary partial sun concrete paver landscaping in Austin with a fire pit.

Example of a trendy sunroom design in Ahmedabad