This used to be a completely unfinished basement with concrete floors, cinder block walls, and exposed floor joists above. The homeowners wanted to finish the space to include a wet bar, powder room, separate play room for their daughters, bar seating for watching tv and entertaining, as well as a finished living space with a television with hidden surround sound speakers throughout the space. They also requested some unfinished spaces; one for exercise equipment, and one for HVAC, water heater, and extra storage. With those requests in mind, I designed the basement with the above required spaces, while working with the contractor on what components needed to be moved. The homeowner also loved the idea of sliding barn doors, which we were able to use as at the opening to the unfinished storage/HVAC area.

Request Free Quote This outdoor living space in Barrington Hills, IL has it all. The swimming pool measures 1,520 square feet, and is 3'6" to 10'0" deep. The hot tub measures 7'0" x 13'0" and is equipped with 16 hydrotherapy heads. Both pool and spa have colored LED lights. The spa has an automatic cover with stone lid system. Adjacent to the hot tub is a sunken bar with kitchen and grill, covered with a thatch palapa. The sunken bar doubles as a serving area for the 5 underwater bar stools within the pool. There is a sunshelf in the shallow area of the pool measuring 125 square feet that has 5 LED lit bubbler water features. There are two sets of shallow end steps attached to the sunshelf. The custom slide is constructed on a stacked stone structure which provides a large stone step system for entry. The pool and hot tub coping is Valders Wisconsin Limestone in Buff color, Sandblast finish with a modified squared edge. The pool has an in-floor automatic cleaning system. The interior surface is French Gray exposed aggregate finish. The pool is also equipped with Volleyball and Basketball systems.

Steve Lambert
This is an example of a modern shade backyard retaining wall landscape in San Francisco for fall.

Minimalist light wood floor living room photo in Chicago with white walls

Challenge This 2001 riverfront home was purchased by the owners in 2015 and immediately renovated. Progressive Design Build was hired at that time to remodel the interior, with tentative plans to remodel their outdoor living space as a second phase design/build remodel. True to their word, after completing the interior remodel, this young family turned to Progressive Design Build in 2017 to address known zoning regulations and restrictions in their backyard and build an outdoor living space that was fit for entertaining and everyday use. The homeowners wanted a pool and spa, outdoor living room, kitchen, fireplace and covered patio. They also wanted to stay true to their home’s Old Florida style architecture while also adding a Jamaican influence to the ceiling detail, which held sentimental value to the homeowners who honeymooned in Jamaica. Solution To tackle the known zoning regulations and restrictions in the backyard, the homeowners researched and applied for a variance. With the variance in hand, Progressive Design Build sat down with the homeowners to review several design options. These options included: Option 1) Modifications to the original pool design, changing it to be longer and narrower and comply with an existing drainage easement Option 2) Two different layouts of the outdoor living area Option 3) Two different height elevations and options for the fire pit area Option 4) A proposed breezeway connecting the new area with the existing home After reviewing the options, the homeowners chose the design that placed the pool on the backside of the house and the outdoor living area on the west side of the home (Option 1). It was important to build a patio structure that could sustain a hurricane (a Southwest Florida necessity), and provide substantial sun protection. The new covered area was supported by structural columns and designed as an open-air porch (with no screens) to allow for an unimpeded view of the Caloosahatchee River. The open porch design also made the area feel larger, and the roof extension was built with substantial strength to survive severe weather conditions. The pool and spa were connected to the adjoining patio area, designed to flow seamlessly into the next. The pool deck was designed intentionally in a 3-color blend of concrete brick with freeform edge detail to mimic the natural river setting. Bringing the outdoors inside, the pool and fire pit were slightly elevated to create a small separation of space. Result All of the desirable amenities of a screened porch were built into an open porch, including electrical outlets, a ceiling fan/light kit, TV, audio speakers, and a fireplace. The outdoor living area was finished off with additional storage for cushions, ample lighting, an outdoor dining area, a smoker, a grill, a double-side burner, an under cabinet refrigerator, a major ventilation system, and water supply plumbing that delivers hot and cold water to the sinks. Because the porch is under a roof, we had the option to use classy woods that would give the structure a natural look and feel. We chose a dark cypress ceiling with a gloss finish, replicating the same detail that the homeowners experienced in Jamaica. This created a deep visceral and emotional reaction from the homeowners to their new backyard. The family now spends more time outdoors enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Their professional lives allow them to take a trip to paradise right in their backyard—stealing moments that reflect on the past, but are also enjoyed in the present.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional hillside mulch formal garden in Atlanta.

Container water gardens are beautiful and require less frequent watering than their soil counterparts. To keep mosquitoes away, add a small fountain (they won't lay eggs in moving water), add a small fish or two like rosy reds (they eat the larvae), or simply toss in a mosquito dunk.

Mid-sized elegant side yard outdoor shower deck photo in Toronto with no cover

Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in Boston.

Mike Garcia
Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Los Angeles.

Laundry room - cottage l-shaped brown floor laundry room idea in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and gray countertops

Expansive tree canopy now shades the dining area and cools the areas closest to the home's large banks of windows. The Australian Willow on the top left was chosen for its low leaf litter and ability to thrive in Pasadena's heat.

Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Grand Rapids.

Photography by Natalie DeNormandie, SegoDesign.
This is an example of a small mediterranean shade courtyard brick landscaping in Boston.

Detail of Adenanthos Sericeus (Woody Bush), a drought tolerent plant from Western Australia. ©Daniel Bosler Photography
Photo of a small mid-century modern drought-tolerant front yard landscaping in Los Angeles.

Colorful, layered plantings conceal the fence on the property line.
Design ideas for a small rustic full sun and drought-tolerant backyard stone retaining wall landscape in Detroit for summer.

Susie Dowd Markarian, Mimi Reddick
Photo of a small mediterranean drought-tolerant backyard landscaping in San Francisco.

Remodel of an existing entry courtyard. We cleaned up the lines on the steps, created cantilevered steps with recessed LED tape lighting, added a water feature, built-in seating and a fire pit. There is porcelain pavers throughout with low succulents breaking up the pavers. Studio H Landscape Architecture

An Indoor Lady
Mid-sized trendy master beige tile travertine floor freestanding bathtub photo in Austin with beige walls and a hinged shower door