A centerpiece of old world elegance, this French-inspired estate courtyard is anchored by a hand carved tiered fountain with a classic quatrefoil basin and symmetrical water flow. The fountain garden acts as a focal point, framed by lush flowering borders, drip-integrated flower beds, and a carefully designed entry axis. Natural stone columns and old-world spouts complement the rich brick and masonry throughout. Custom pergolas with exposed rafters and heavy wood beams offer shade and architectural interest, while exterior wall sconces and accent uplighting highlight the stone detail and custom exterior millwork. Just beyond the courtyard water feature, double doors lead into a guest bedroom with private side access merging luxury design and thoughtful functionality.

Dining room - mediterranean dining room idea in Houston

Rather than starting with an outcome in mind, this 1,400 square foot residence began from a polemic place - exploring shared conviction regarding the concentrated power of living with a smaller footprint. From the gabled silhouette to passive ventilation, the home captures the nostalgia for the past with the sustainable practices of the future. While the exterior materials contrast a calm, minimal palette with the sleek lines of the gabled silhouette, the interior spaces embody a playful, artistic spirit. From the hand painted De Gournay wallpaper in the master bath to the rugged texture of the over-grouted limestone and Portuguese cobblestones, the home is an experience that encapsulates the unexpected and the timeless.

Bliss Garden Design
Photo of a coastal landscaping in Seattle.

Steve Lambert,Winner Beautification Award for Small Landscape Design - Build Small Country-club Project, with courtyard deck, low maintenance, Bitter root walls,

Steve Lambert, Winner Beautification Award for Small Landscape Design - Build Small Country-club Project, with courtyard deck, low maintenance, Bitter root walls,

The Kipling house is a new addition to the Montrose neighborhood. Designed for a family of five, it allows for generous open family zones oriented to large glass walls facing the street and courtyard pool. The courtyard also creates a buffer between the master suite and the children's play and bedroom zones. The master suite echoes the first floor connection to the exterior, with large glass walls facing balconies to the courtyard and street. Fixed wood screens provide privacy on the first floor while a large sliding second floor panel allows the street balcony to exchange privacy control with the study. Material changes on the exterior articulate the zones of the house and negotiate structural loads.

Inspiration for a transitional exterior home remodel in New Orleans

Interior design by others Our architecture team was proud to design this traditional, cottage inspired home that is tucked within a developed residential location in St. Louis County. The main levels account for 6097 Sq Ft and an additional 1300 Sq Ft was reserved for the lower level. The homeowner requested a unique design that would provide backyard privacy from the street and an open floor plan in public spaces, but privacy in the master suite. Challenges of this home design included a narrow corner lot build site, building height restrictions and corner lot setback restrictions. The floorplan design was tailored to this corner lot and oriented to take full advantage of southern sun in the rear courtyard and pool terrace area. There are many notable spaces and visual design elements of this custom 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom brick cottage home. A mostly brick exterior with cut stone entry surround and entry terrace gardens helps create a cozy feel even before entering the home. Special spaces like a covered outdoor lanai, private southern terrace and second floor study nook create a pleasurable every-day living environment. For indoor entertainment, a lower level rec room, gallery, bar, lounge, and media room were also planned.

Mark Hoyle Originally, this 3700 SF two level eclectic farmhouse from the mid 1980’s underwent design changes to reflect a more colonial style. Now, after being completely renovated with additional 2800 SF living space, it’s combined total of 6500 SF boasts an Energy Star certification of 5 stars. Approaching this completed home, you will meander along a new driveway through the dense buffer of trees until you reach the clearing, and then circle a tiered fountain on axis with the front entry accentuating the symmetrical main structure. Many of the exterior changes included enclosing the front porch and rear screened porch, replacing windows, replacing all the vinyl siding with and fiber cement siding, creating a new front stoop with winding brick stairs and wrought iron railings as will as other additions to the left and rear of the home. The existing interior was completely fro the studs and included modifying uses of many of the existing rooms such as converting the original dining room into an oval shaped theater with reclining theater seats, fiber-optic starlight ceiling and an 80” television with built-in surround sound. The laundry room increased in size by taking in the porch and received all new cabinets and finishes. The screened porch across the back of the house was enclosed to create a new dining room, enlarged the kitchen, all of which allows for a commanding view of the beautifully landscaped pool. The upper master suite begins by entering a private office then leads to a newly vaulted bedroom, a new master bathroom with natural light and an enlarged closet. The major portion of the addition space was added to the left side as a part time home for the owner’s brother. This new addition boasts an open plan living, dining and kitchen, a master suite with a luxurious bathroom and walk–in closet, a guest suite, a garage and its own private gated brick courtyard entry and direct access to the well appointed pool patio. And finally the last part of the project is the sunroom and new lagoon style pool. Tucked tightly against the rear of the home. This room was created to feel like a gazebo including a metal roof and stained wood ceiling, the foundation of this room was constructed with the pool to insure the look as if it is floating on the water. The pool’s negative edge opposite side allows open views of the trees beyond. There is a natural stone waterfall on one side of the pool and a shallow area on the opposite side for lounge chairs to be placed in it along with a hot tub that spills into the pool. The coping completes the pool’s natural shape and continues to the patio utilizing the same stone but separated by Zoysia grass keeping the natural theme. The finishing touches to this backyard oasis is completed utilizing large boulders, Tempest Torches, architectural lighting and abundant variety of landscaping complete the oasis for all to enjoy.

mrla
This is an example of a small mediterranean drought-tolerant and full sun side yard landscaping in San Francisco.

The interior courtyard. Notice the outdoor seating area under the porch in the backround. The 2 way gas fireplace is shared with the great room on the opposite side.

Large country courtyard gravel patio fountain photo in San Francisco with no cover

Interior design by others Our architecture team was proud to design this traditional, cottage inspired home that is tucked within a developed residential location in St. Louis County. The main levels account for 6097 Sq Ft and an additional 1300 Sq Ft was reserved for the lower level. The homeowner requested a unique design that would provide backyard privacy from the street and an open floor plan in public spaces, but privacy in the master suite. Challenges of this home design included a narrow corner lot build site, building height restrictions and corner lot setback restrictions. The floorplan design was tailored to this corner lot and oriented to take full advantage of southern sun in the rear courtyard and pool terrace area. There are many notable spaces and visual design elements of this custom 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom brick cottage home. A mostly brick exterior with cut stone entry surround and entry terrace gardens helps create a cozy feel even before entering the home. Special spaces like a covered outdoor lanai, private southern terrace and second floor study nook create a pleasurable every-day living environment. For indoor entertainment, a lower level rec room, gallery, bar, lounge, and media room were also planned.

Located in North County San Luis Obispo, the Santa Ysabel Residence is a Mediterranean inspired family home. Taking advantage of the warm climate, a flagstone paved entry courtyard provides private gathering space that leads to the stone clad entry. Inside the home, exposed beams, wood baseboards, and travertine floors continue the Mediterranean vibe. A large wine room, with enough storage for a few hundred bottles, features a peek through window from the dining room. A large covered outdoor living and dining room open up to the pool and fire pit, embracing the rural views of Santa Ysabel.

A decagon design with 3-side removed to provide a space that creates a garden area, entry procession, courtyard, a sun room/greenhouse, and centrality.

A decagon design with 3-side removed to provide a space that creates a garden area, entry procession, courtyard, a sun room/greenhouse, and centrality.

View from under the beech tree, back down the brick walk, to the side entrance and bluestone patio.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun courtyard brick formal garden in Boston.

The ‘finished’ side of the gate and fence is the interior (the patio side) where the boards sit proud of the posts. The builder used 6x6 posts for the fence, as well as for the framing members of the wooden gate. Because there is a step down from the patio, the gate swings out to the communal walkway. Photos by 360 Yardware.