The home is designed around a series of wings off a central, two-story core: One in the front forms a parking court, while two stretch out in back to create a private courtyard with gardens and the swimming pool. The house is designed so the walls facing neighboring properties are solid, while those facing the courtyard are glass. Photo by Maxwell MacKenzie

This courtyard house has amazing views of Puget Sound on the west side, and then on the courtyard side there is a serene and tranquil reflecting pool. The pool gathers all the roof drainage from the house, including a 10-ft waterfall from the main living room roof! The living room ceiling changes pitch along the length of the room, unfolding like a fan toward the view. photos by Benjamin Benschneider

Lee Klopfer
Minimalist living room photo in Albuquerque

Inspiration for a large modern galley light wood floor and exposed beam open concept kitchen remodel in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Master Bedroom with view to side courtyard, modern fan, High Windows in the roof gable. Architect & Photo by Jeff Jeannette / Jeannette Architects
Bedroom - 1950s bedroom idea in Orange County

Inspiration for a mid-sized southwestern drought-tolerant and partial sun side yard brick garden path in Phoenix.

Inspiration for a mid-sized southwestern drought-tolerant and partial sun side yard brick garden path in Phoenix.

Large modern gray three-story concrete fiberboard flat roof idea in Chicago

Jonathan House
This is an example of a huge traditional full sun side yard gravel formal garden in Portland.

This is a view of the entry courtyard. Originally the entrance to the home was via a stair where the custom grill and window opening are now (left of the potted tree on the left side). The courtyard was one step further down an flooded in the rain. We raised the courtyard elevation, removed the old entry steps, filled in the old entry and created a window opening. We cut a new arched entry into the courtyard and that is now the entry to the home. We removed old railngs and created the three arched openings to the covered entry area. The ceiling in the entry is tongue and groove cypress. Frank Baptie Photography

This new home was built on an old lot in Dallas, TX in the Preston Hollow neighborhood. The new home is a little over 5,600 sq.ft. and features an expansive great room and a professional chef’s kitchen. This 100% brick exterior home was built with full-foam encapsulation for maximum energy performance. There is an immaculate courtyard enclosed by a 9' brick wall keeping their spool (spa/pool) private. Electric infrared radiant patio heaters and patio fans and of course a fireplace keep the courtyard comfortable no matter what time of year. A custom king and a half bed was built with steps at the end of the bed, making it easy for their dog Roxy, to get up on the bed. There are electrical outlets in the back of the bathroom drawers and a TV mounted on the wall behind the tub for convenience. The bathroom also has a steam shower with a digital thermostatic valve. The kitchen has two of everything, as it should, being a commercial chef's kitchen! The stainless vent hood, flanked by floating wooden shelves, draws your eyes to the center of this immaculate kitchen full of Bluestar Commercial appliances. There is also a wall oven with a warming drawer, a brick pizza oven, and an indoor churrasco grill. There are two refrigerators, one on either end of the expansive kitchen wall, making everything convenient. There are two islands; one with casual dining bar stools, as well as a built-in dining table and another for prepping food. At the top of the stairs is a good size landing for storage and family photos. There are two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, as well as a movie room. What makes this home so special is the Casita! It has its own entrance off the common breezeway to the main house and courtyard. There is a full kitchen, a living area, an ADA compliant full bath, and a comfortable king bedroom. It’s perfect for friends staying the weekend or in-laws staying for a month.

Mid-sized trendy beige two-story stone house exterior photo in Los Angeles with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Pool - small coastal courtyard concrete paver and rectangular natural pool idea in Miami

Photo by Glenn Wong
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary partial sun courtyard gravel garden path in Boston for fall.

Hot tub - large contemporary courtyard tile and custom-shaped infinity hot tub idea in Miami

Small beach style courtyard concrete paver and rectangular natural pool photo in Miami

Pool - small coastal courtyard concrete paver and rectangular natural pool idea in Miami

Example of a mid-sized southwest concrete floor and gray floor front door design in Phoenix with pink walls and a white front door

Patrick Reynolds
Contemporary black two-story wood gable roof idea in Auckland