Amundson Photography
Farmhouse light wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

Builder: Denali Custom Homes - Architectural Designer: Alexander Design Group - Interior Designer: Studio M Interiors - Photo: Spacecrafting Photography

Mid-sized transitional walk-out laminate floor and brown floor basement photo in Seattle with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Pool fountain - mid-sized modern backyard rectangular pool fountain idea in Dallas with decking

Chandler Photography
Example of a mountain style enclosed kitchen design with shaker cabinets, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and medium tone wood cabinets

Transitional kitchen photo in Boston

This transitional timber frame home features a wrap-around porch designed to take advantage of its lakeside setting and mountain views. Natural stone, including river rock, granite and Tennessee field stone, is combined with wavy edge siding and a cedar shingle roof to marry the exterior of the home with it surroundings. Casually elegant interiors flow into generous outdoor living spaces that highlight natural materials and create a connection between the indoors and outdoors. Photography Credit: Rebecca Lehde, Inspiro 8 Studios

Inspiration for a transitional master porcelain tile and white floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Austin with recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Pool Cabana with kitchen and bath built by Trueblood.
Example of a mid-sized classic patio design in Philadelphia with a roof extension

Indian Rocks Beach Design-Build Townhome
Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Tampa

Front door - traditional front door idea in New York with a medium wood front door

Elegant kitchen photo in Austin

Example of a classic pool house design in Philadelphia

Farmhouse white one-story gable roof photo in Austin

Kitchen - craftsman kitchen idea in San Francisco

Large beach style formal and enclosed light wood floor living room photo in Boston with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace, gray walls and no tv

A rain chain collects roof runoff and delivers it to the rain garden. The rain garden collects water and lets it soak into the ground slowly, so it doesn't run off into nearby waterways.

Elegant dark wood floor seated home bar photo with dark wood cabinets, granite countertops and mirror backsplash

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.