Before

Before!

Seen here in the foreground is Chastetree, or Vitex, (Vitex agnus-castus). If you are missing lilacs, try this standout shurb/ small tree. We used mostly vibrant hot colors in this landscape and the cool bluish purple of Vitex contrasts nicely with the other, brighter landscape plants. It can be planted wherever a smaller tree might enhance the landscape, even in a planter! The compound leaves and gray bark also make this plant a beautiful addition to a shrubbery border. The wide variety of chastetree cultivars offer a choice in flower color. 'Silver Spire' and 'Alba' have white flowers while 'Rosea' has pink flowers. 'Shoal Creek' boasts show-stopping purple blooms while 'Purpurea' cultivars have delicate lilac flowers. This large, deciduous flowering shrub or small tree is found in gardens across the country. It puts on a show from late spring through fall with its beautiful bluish-purple flowers clustered along tall spikes. The curious name, "chastetree" finds its roots in a Roman book, Naturalis Historia. This early natural history text was written in the first century AD. The author was Pliny the Elder, a noted naturalist, writer, and military commander of the early Roman empire. He notes that women in Athens kept branches of the tree under their beds during the feast of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain, and fertility. These young women believe the leaves of the plant would help them remain pure, thus the "chastetree". Pliny also notes the origin of another of this plant's names: vitex. The name vitex comes from the Latin vieo, meaning to weave. Pliny believed this name was connected to the tree's use in Roman basket weaving.

Greg Hadley

Greg Hadley
Bathroom - bathroom idea in DC Metro

Our clients for this porch project chose cedar for their new front porch. We used pressure treated posts with a cedar wrap. For the porch roof, they selected black aluminum. With a metal roof that matches the color of the shutters, this porch really pops!

The porch addition allows the best of both worlds of indoor and outdoor living. A retractable phantom screen opens fully to let the outdoors in and closes when needed to protect from insects and weather. New backyard landscaping perfectly connect the porch to the outdoor living spaces.

A large custom deck and seating, along with generous plantings, help transform an unusable back yard into a tranquil oasis. Wide gravel paths inlaid with flagstone keep weeds in check and lead to a sunken garden. A comfy two person hot tub was added, turning the back porch into a lattice enclosed spa. A dry stream bed adds detailing to one side of the deck. And native shrubs ease the transition to the woods beyond.

Moroccan Fish Scales are a stunning way to add character and beauty to a space in a unique way. This blue-green color has a gorgeous range of variation with just one glaze. Large Moroccan Fish Scales - 1017E Sea Mist

Ryann Ford Photography, LLC
Deck - contemporary deck idea in Austin

Alison & Eric have been my clients for almost 5 years. We began working together , shortly after they purchased their home. About a year later, when Alison was pregnant with their first child they reached out to me to design the nursery & transform the garage into an office/ lounge. Later we did a total makeover in their living room, and recently I completed the nursery for their newest addition the the family. For me, as a designer with a great passion for the home, I absolutely love to be able to build long term relationships with the people I work with. Seeing my clients grow and transform and being there to ensure that their spaces, the backdrop of their lives, continue to nourish & inspire them. Photography by Roberto Garcia

This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard landscaping.

'Blue My Mind' True blue flowers and fuzzy, silvery-green foliage and extemely heat tolerant plants create a winner for any hot weather climate. Combined with 'Lime Sizzler' Firebush.

Flooding and drainage are becoming more and more common and we have lots of tools to mitigate, including plants and hardscaping. In this case were a large stream of rain water came down in the side yard of our client's we used a berm and plants to soak up the monsoon washouts. Veltiver, a tall ornamental grass to help prevent washouts from the adjacent golf club. We added a berm and underplanted it with Firebush. Veltiver is a warm season grass with light green, narrow leaves. It is stiffly erect with good fall color. Can be grown as an annual in a container in cooler climates. This is an edible plant and the oil obtain from the roots is used as a flavoring in sherbets, syrup sweets, fruit drinks and canned asparagus. These oils may be used in specific medical compounds.

We designed and installed this gracefully curved patio and sidewalk in a barren, soggy backyard. Along with complete regrading of the yard, a new drainage system was installed to correct the water issues from both the gutters and steep slopes.

Incorporating stone indoors or outdoors can completely transform a space. From small projects to complete renovations and new construction, we offer both professionals and homeowners a full line of both interior and exterior stone products. Browse our galleries for inspiration and let our associates help bring your ideas to life!

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless painted l-shaped wood railing staircase remodel in Boston

Molly Tee
Example of a 1960s bathroom design in Boston

Bathroom - mid-century modern bathroom idea in Nashville