Architect: David C. Fowler and Associates
Family room - traditional carpeted family room idea in Atlanta

Blending a modern sensibility with traditional architecture, this garden features a front yard meadow with native grasses (Carex praecracilis) and wildflowers. Poured-in-place concrete pavers in a meandering pattern slow the approach from the sidewalk to the entry. The modest backyard has been maximized for entertaining with outdoor dining and seating areas. Native plants, herbs, and edibles share the back garden beds, and a raised pond brings the garden to life.

Modern elements combine with mid-century detailing to give this mountain-style home its rustic elegance. Natural stone, exposed timber beams and vaulted ceilings are just a few of the design elements that make this rustic retreat so inviting. A welcoming front porch leads right up to the custom cherry door. Inside a large window affords breathtaking views of the garden-lined walkways, patio and bonfire pit. An expansive deck overlooks the park-like setting and natural wetlands. The great room's stone fireplace, visible from the gourmet kitchen, dining room and cozy owner's suite, acts as the home's center piece. Tasteful iron railings, fir millwork, stone and wood countertops, rich walnut and cherry cabinets, and Australian Cypress floors complete this warm and charming mountain-style home. Call today to schedule an informational visit, tour, or portfolio review. BUILDER: Streeter & Associates, Renovation Division - Bob Near ARCHITECT: Jalin Design FURNISHINGS: Historic Studio PHOTOGRAPHY: Steve Henke

Matt Millman
Minimalist open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in San Francisco

Lisa Carroll
Large country white two-story concrete fiberboard exterior home photo in Atlanta

This English-inspired garden in Highland Village, TX offers stunning lakeside views using native Texas plants.
Design ideas for a rustic drought-tolerant landscaping in Dallas.

Inspiration for a contemporary landscaping in San Diego.

Photo of a large traditional partial sun backyard stone retaining wall landscape in New York.

Eastern redbud, cersis canadensis, native to the many areas east of the Mississippi. This one is the traditional green leaved redbud. Photo by: Karen Sullivan

Matthew Millman: photographer Link to New York Times May 2013 article about the house: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/16/greathomesanddestinations/the-houseboat-of-their-dreams.html?_r=0

Inspiration for a timeless home design remodel in Boston

A durable, meaningful design heals a devastated residential property bordering Acadia National Park and Somes Sound on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. Comprehensive stormwater management strategies shape new landforms, resulting in elegant grading and thoughtful drainage solutions. Native plant colonies stabilize the site, regenerate habitat, and reveal wildlife patterns. Exquisitely crafted new masonry, built from an authentic palette of local reclaimed materials, gives the garden a unified, established feel. Lichen-encrusted stone retaining walls define edges, thresholds, and overlooks, and thick slabs of salvaged granite embedded in the earth provide gathering terraces and pathways. With balance restored, brilliant seasonal drama unfolds.

Photo by. Jonathan Jackson
Industrial metal exterior home idea in Austin with a shed roof

This small tract home backyard was transformed into a lively breathable garden. A new outdoor living room was created, with silver-grey brazilian slate flooring, and a smooth integral pewter colored concrete wall defining and retaining earth around it. A water feature is the backdrop to this outdoor room extending the flooring material (slate) into the vertical plane covering a wall that houses three playful stainless steel spouts that spill water into a large basin. Koi Fish, Gold fish and water plants bring a new mini ecosystem of life, and provide a focal point and meditational environment. The integral colored concrete wall begins at the main water feature and weaves to the south west corner of the yard where water once again emerges out of a 4” stainless steel channel; reinforcing the notion that this garden backs up against a natural spring. The stainless steel channel also provides children with an opportunity to safely play with water by floating toy boats down the channel. At the north eastern end of the integral colored concrete wall, a warm western red cedar bench extends perpendicular out from the water feature on the outside of the slate patio maximizing seating space in the limited size garden. Natural rusting Cor-ten steel fencing adds a layer of interest throughout the garden softening the 6’ high surrounding fencing and helping to carry the users eye from the ground plane up past the fence lines into the horizon; the cor-ten steel also acts as a ribbon, tie-ing the multiple spaces together in this garden. The plant palette uses grasses and rushes to further establish in the subconscious that a natural water source does exist. Planting was performed outside of the wire fence to connect the new landscape to the existing open space; this was successfully done by using perennials and grasses whose foliage matches that of the native hillside, blurring the boundary line of the garden and aesthetically extending the backyard up into the adjacent open space.

Pamela Bateman Design
This is an example of a traditional landscaping in Sacramento.

The Mazama Cabin is located at the end of a beautiful meadow in the Methow Valley, on the east slope of the North Cascades Mountains in Washington state. The 1500 SF cabin is a superb place for a weekend get-a-way, with a garage below and compact living space above. The roof is “lifted” by a continuous band of clerestory windows, and the upstairs living space has a large glass wall facing a beautiful view of the mountain face known locally as Goat Wall. The project is characterized by sustainable cedar siding and recycled metal roofing; the walls and roof have 40% higher insulation values than typical construction. The cabin will become a guest house when the main house is completed in late 2012.

lynnlandscapedesign.com - Bougainvillea awakens while Leptospermum 'Apple Blossom' explodes with soft pink color. photo: Donna Lynn
Design ideas for a mediterranean landscaping in Santa Barbara.

This room plays off a white backdrop against textures, recycled timbers and soft grey accessories. Add the faux fireplace and the room is made for sweet dreams! Photography by Sue Murray - imagineit.net.au

This small tract home backyard was transformed into a lively breathable garden. A new outdoor living room was created, with silver-grey brazilian slate flooring, and a smooth integral pewter colored concrete wall defining and retaining earth around it. A water feature is the backdrop to this outdoor room extending the flooring material (slate) into the vertical plane covering a wall that houses three playful stainless steel spouts that spill water into a large basin. Koi Fish, Gold fish and water plants bring a new mini ecosystem of life, and provide a focal point and meditational environment. The integral colored concrete wall begins at the main water feature and weaves to the south west corner of the yard where water once again emerges out of a 4” stainless steel channel; reinforcing the notion that this garden backs up against a natural spring. The stainless steel channel also provides children with an opportunity to safely play with water by floating toy boats down the channel. At the north eastern end of the integral colored concrete wall, a warm western red cedar bench extends perpendicular out from the water feature on the outside of the slate patio maximizing seating space in the limited size garden. Natural rusting Cor-ten steel fencing adds a layer of interest throughout the garden softening the 6’ high surrounding fencing and helping to carry the users eye from the ground plane up past the fence lines into the horizon; the cor-ten steel also acts as a ribbon, tie-ing the multiple spaces together in this garden. The plant palette uses grasses and rushes to further establish in the subconscious that a natural water source does exist. Planting was performed outside of the wire fence to connect the new landscape to the existing open space; this was successfully done by using perennials and grasses whose foliage matches that of the native hillside, blurring the boundary line of the garden and aesthetically extending the backyard up into the adjacent open space.