An aluminum portal at the beginning of the front pathway signals that you are entering into a special garden.
Inspiration for a contemporary landscaping in Charlotte.

After Photo: brown mulch garden with natural flagstone path and wall.
This is an example of a mid-sized craftsman partial sun side yard mulch garden path in Toronto.

A view through the garden rooms, a gravel path leads through to the many spaces. The path is lined with cushwa brick outlining the spaces. Terra cotta containers are filled with boxwood and petunia; pachysandra and bugleweed ground cover fill the flanking and center beds. A cast iron bench offers an opportunity to sit and enjoy the space, with the fountain creating a pleasant sound. The wall is graced with two standard form lilacs. Photo Credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

We began by removing the patchwork of “updates” that left a confusing pastiche. At the front of the house, we removed a late addition window and veneer stonework. Starting over now with a clean slate, we chose a color palette of rich charcoal and warm coral-orange. Over the new smooth stucco finish, we built two custom vertical screens with natural cedar to break up the expanse of the front walls and replaced the dated garage door with a stunning cedar door. New concrete planters hold an exotic collection of cactii at the entrance.

Inspiration for a traditional hillside brick garden path in Seattle.

This figure-eight style walking meditation path was built with a tiled edging and gravel for the path material. The fence was built out of vintage wrought iron gate panels and stucco columns that soon were covered in creeping fig.

Photo of a traditional landscaping in San Francisco.

The uneven back yard was graded into ¬upper and lower levels with an industrial style, concrete wall. Linear pavers lead the garden stroller from place to place alongside a rain garden filled with swaying grasses that spans the side yard and culminates at a gracefully arching pomegranate tree, A bubbling boulder water feature murmurs soothing sounds. A large steel and willow-roof pergola creates a shady space to dine in and chaise lounges and chairs bask in the surrounding shade. The transformation was completed with a bold and biodiverse selection of low water, climate appropriate plants that make the space come alive. branches laden with impossibly red blossoms and fruit.

Traditional landscape installation at Montecito estate. Photography by Doug Ellis Photography
Design ideas for a large traditional backyard formal garden in Santa Barbara.

Kristin Heggem
This is an example of a mid-sized tropical full sun backyard garden path in San Diego for summer.

After Photo: brown mulch garden with natural flagstone path and wall.
Design ideas for a mid-sized craftsman partial sun side yard mulch garden path in Toronto.

Design ideas for a large modern partial sun front yard concrete paver driveway in Tampa for spring.

We were asked to create something really special for one of our most admired clients. This home has been a labor of love for both of us as we finally made it exactly what she wanted it to be. After many concept ideas we landed on a design that is stunning! All of the elements on her wish list are incorporated in this challenging, multi-level landscape: A front yard to match the modern traditional-style home while creating privacy from the street; a side yard that proudly connects the front and back; and a lower level with plantings in lush greens, whites, purples and pinks and plentiful lawn space for kids and dogs. Her outdoor living space includes an outdoor kitchen with bar, outdoor living room with fireplace, dining patio, a bedroom-adjacent lounging patio with modern fountain, enclosed vegetable garden, rose garden walk with European-style fountain and meditation bench, and a fire pit with sitting area on the upper level to take in the panoramic views of the sunset over the wooded ridge. Outdoor lighting brings it alive at night, and for parties you can’t beat the killer sound system!

Hanging baskets for now but the homeowner will eventually plant vines to grow up and over the arbor, creating a "doorway" to the dining area. Pavers are Anchor Charleston - the untumbled version - color: Northwoods.

After Photo: brown mulch garden with natural flagstone path and wall.
Design ideas for a mid-sized craftsman partial sun side yard mulch garden path in Toronto.

Rebecca Lindenmeyr
Design ideas for a huge farmhouse full sun backyard formal garden in Burlington.

The technique of equal 'cut and fill' are employed here to help traverse this sloped hillside back yard. 4' wide crushed gravel paths allow side-by-side, hand-ind-hand strolls through the garden. Photography by: Joe Hollowell

This shaded woodland garden called out for a path to lead down to the creek at the bottom of the property in Athens, GA. The stonework has an aged look, in keeping with the historic neighbourhood, while the curved layout and the mixture of brick and stone softens the overall look. A channel installed under the path ensures correct drainage of rainwater. ZoomWorks