Example of a mid-sized transitional gray one-story exterior home design in San Francisco

Design: Debby Ruskin, Ruskin Gardens Co. Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz
Photo of a traditional landscaping in San Francisco.

The existing sandstone wall was met by an unusable, weed-filled slope. The upper retaining wall allowed the construction of a year-round dining patio surrounded by low-maintenance, low-water-using plants. Billy Goodnick

Jonathan Beckerman
Example of a large classic backyard stone and rectangular pool fountain design in New York

Elegant concrete paver patio photo in Salt Lake City with a fire pit and no cover

After remodeling their 1905 Craftsman house, the homeowners were ready to tackle the yard. The front was easily spruced up with a new walkway and plantings, but the steep, wooded backyard was a much bigger challenge. Rebuilding a failing retaining wall was the first step to creating access to the previously overgrown space. Concrete patios with natural stone steps provide space for a hot tub and fire pit, completely transforming the dangerous eyesore.

Photo Credits: Brian Vanden Brink
Inspiration for a large coastal beige two-story wood house exterior remodel in Boston with a shingle roof

Wiff Harmer
Inspiration for a transitional white brick exterior home remodel in Nashville

Built from the ground up on 80 acres outside Dallas, Oregon, this new modern ranch house is a balanced blend of natural and industrial elements. The custom home beautifully combines various materials, unique lines and angles, and attractive finishes throughout. The property owners wanted to create a living space with a strong indoor-outdoor connection. We integrated built-in sky lights, floor-to-ceiling windows and vaulted ceilings to attract ample, natural lighting. The master bathroom is spacious and features an open shower room with soaking tub and natural pebble tiling. There is custom-built cabinetry throughout the home, including extensive closet space, library shelving, and floating side tables in the master bedroom. The home flows easily from one room to the next and features a covered walkway between the garage and house. One of our favorite features in the home is the two-sided fireplace – one side facing the living room and the other facing the outdoor space. In addition to the fireplace, the homeowners can enjoy an outdoor living space including a seating area, in-ground fire pit and soaking tub.

A tapestry of plant colors and textures thrive in this Lagoon-side garden in Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Entertaining and enjoying the views were a primary design goal for this project along with replacing the lawn with CA native and low water plants and a total renovation. The project includes a large camaru deck with built-in seating. The concrete steps and pavers lead down to the water's edge. I included a sunken patio on one side and a beautiful Buddha statue on the other, surrounded by succulents and other low-water, contemporary plantings. I also used Dymondia ground cover to create a natural pathways within the garden. Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. Design Eileen Kelly

The "Gracie Modern Arbors" (by TerraTrellis) offer eye-catching focal points. Three installed to bring interest and needed height over a long pathway ramp with grape vines. Another frames a stairway to the hillside with a flowering Passion vine. The sloped hillsides were revamped to include low-water and low-maintenance plants that include CA natives, flowing grasses, other Mediterranean plants and several succulents.

Inspiration for a traditional retaining wall landscape in St Louis.

photography by Joe Dodd
Example of a mid-sized trendy backyard concrete paver patio design in San Francisco

Photo of a huge traditional hillside formal garden in DC Metro for summer.

Example of a large classic backyard stone and rectangular pool house design in DC Metro

Pool fountain - traditional rectangular aboveground pool fountain idea in New York

Hoi Ning Wong
Photo of a mediterranean stone garden path in San Francisco.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional shade hillside stone landscaping in Charlotte with a fire pit for summer.

Traditional white two-story gable roof idea in Burlington