Provided landscape architecture and planning services for the entire project including site planning, planting, hardscape, lighting & irrigation. The clubhouse amenity area includes a contemporary swimming pool with a wall fountain, pool house, cabanas & summer kitchens. The Village Green is composed of a series of inter-connected themed gardens including a native garden, formal garden, sculpture garden & Koi-pond garden.

This garden project began with the demolition of an existing pool and decks cantilevered over a hillside. The garden was originally a Japanese-themed garden retreat and free-form shaped pool. While the client wanted to update and replace many elements, they sought to keep the free-form characteristics of the existing design and repurpose existing materials. BK Landscape Design created a new garden with revetment walls and steps to a succulent garden with salvaged boulders from the pool and pool coping. We built a colored concrete path to access a new wood trellis constructed on the center-line view from the master bedroom. A combination of Bay friendly, native and evergreen plantings were chosen for the planting palette. The overhaul of the yard included low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage. A new wood deck replaced the existing one at the entrance as well as a deck off of the master bedroom that was also constructed from repurposed materials. The style mimics the architectural detail of the mansard roof and simple horizontal wood siding of the house. After removing a juniper (as required by the San Rafael Fire Department within the Wildland-Urban interface) we designed and developed a full front-yard planting plan. All plants are Bay-Friendly, native, and irrigated with a more efficient in-line drip irrigation system to minimize water use. Low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage were also part of the overhaul of the front yard redesign.

San Rafael Overview: This garden project began with the demolition of an existing pool and decks cantilevered over a hillside. The garden was originally a Japanese-themed garden retreat and free-form shaped pool. While the client wanted to update and replace many elements, they sought to keep the free-form characteristics of the existing design and repurpose existing materials. BK Landscape Design created a new garden with revetment walls and steps to a succulent garden with salvaged boulders from the pool and pool coping. We built a colored concrete path to access a new wood trellis constructed on the center-line view from the master bedroom. A combination of Bay friendly, native and evergreen plantings were chosen for the planting palette. The overhaul of the yard included low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage. A new wood deck replaced the existing one at the entrance as well as a deck off of the master bedroom that was also constructed from repurposed materials. The style mimics the architectural detail of the mansard roof and simple horizontal wood siding of the house. After removing a juniper (as required by the San Rafael Fire Department within the Wildland-Urban interface) we designed and developed a full front-yard planting plan. All plants are Bay-Friendly, native, and irrigated with a more efficient in-line drip irrigation system to minimize water use. Low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage were also part of the overhaul of the front yard redesign.

The clubhouse amenity area includes a contemporary swimming pool with a wall fountain, pool house, cabanas & summer kitchens. The Village Green is composed of a series of inter-connected themed gardens including a native garden, formal garden, sculpture garden & Koi-pond garden.

San Rafael Overview: This garden project began with the demolition of an existing pool and decks cantilevered over a hillside. The garden was originally a Japanese-themed garden retreat and free-form shaped pool. While the client wanted to update and replace many elements, they sought to keep the free-form characteristics of the existing design and repurpose existing materials. BK Landscape Design created a new garden with revetment walls and steps to a succulent garden with salvaged boulders from the pool and pool coping. We built a colored concrete path to access a new wood trellis constructed on the center-line view from the master bedroom. A combination of Bay friendly, native and evergreen plantings were chosen for the planting palette. The overhaul of the yard included low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage. A new wood deck replaced the existing one at the entrance as well as a deck off of the master bedroom that was also constructed from repurposed materials. The style mimics the architectural detail of the mansard roof and simple horizontal wood siding of the house. After removing a juniper (as required by the San Rafael Fire Department within the Wildland-Urban interface) we designed and developed a full front-yard planting plan. All plants are Bay-Friendly, native, and irrigated with a more efficient in-line drip irrigation system to minimize water use. Low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage were also part of the overhaul of the front yard redesign.

This garden project began with the demolition of an existing pool and decks cantilevered over a hillside. The garden was originally a Japanese-themed garden retreat and free-form shaped pool. While the client wanted to update and replace many elements, they sought to keep the free-form characteristics of the existing design and repurpose existing materials. BK Landscape Design created a new garden with revetment walls and steps to a succulent garden with salvaged boulders from the pool and pool coping. We built a colored concrete path to access a new wood trellis constructed on the center-line view from the master bedroom. A combination of Bay friendly, native and evergreen plantings were chosen for the planting palette. The overhaul of the yard included low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage. A new wood deck replaced the existing one at the entrance as well as a deck off of the master bedroom that was also constructed from repurposed materials. The style mimics the architectural detail of the mansard roof and simple horizontal wood siding of the house. After removing a juniper (as required by the San Rafael Fire Department within the Wildland-Urban interface) we designed and developed a full front-yard planting plan. All plants are Bay-Friendly, native, and irrigated with a more efficient in-line drip irrigation system to minimize water use. Low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage were also part of the overhaul of the front yard redesign.

San Rafael Overview: This garden project began with the demolition of an existing pool and decks cantilevered over a hillside. The garden was originally a Japanese-themed garden retreat and free-form shaped pool. While the client wanted to update and replace many elements, they sought to keep the free-form characteristics of the existing design and repurpose existing materials. BK Landscape Design created a new garden with revetment walls and steps to a succulent garden with salvaged boulders from the pool and pool coping. We built a colored concrete path to access a new wood trellis constructed on the center-line view from the master bedroom. A combination of Bay friendly, native and evergreen plantings were chosen for the planting palette. The overhaul of the yard included low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage. A new wood deck replaced the existing one at the entrance as well as a deck off of the master bedroom that was also constructed from repurposed materials. The style mimics the architectural detail of the mansard roof and simple horizontal wood siding of the house. After removing a juniper (as required by the San Rafael Fire Department within the Wildland-Urban interface) we designed and developed a full front-yard planting plan. All plants are Bay-Friendly, native, and irrigated with a more efficient in-line drip irrigation system to minimize water use. Low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage were also part of the overhaul of the front yard redesign.

San Rafael Overview: This garden project began with the demolition of an existing pool and decks cantilevered over a hillside. The garden was originally a Japanese-themed garden retreat and free-form shaped pool. While the client wanted to update and replace many elements, they sought to keep the free-form characteristics of the existing design and repurpose existing materials. BK Landscape Design created a new garden with revetment walls and steps to a succulent garden with salvaged boulders from the pool and pool coping. We built a colored concrete path to access a new wood trellis constructed on the center-line view from the master bedroom. A combination of Bay friendly, native and evergreen plantings were chosen for the planting palette. The overhaul of the yard included low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage. A new wood deck replaced the existing one at the entrance as well as a deck off of the master bedroom that was also constructed from repurposed materials. The style mimics the architectural detail of the mansard roof and simple horizontal wood siding of the house. After removing a juniper (as required by the San Rafael Fire Department within the Wildland-Urban interface) we designed and developed a full front-yard planting plan. All plants are Bay-Friendly, native, and irrigated with a more efficient in-line drip irrigation system to minimize water use. Low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage were also part of the overhaul of the front yard redesign.

San Rafael Overview: This garden project began with the demolition of an existing pool and decks cantilevered over a hillside. The garden was originally a Japanese-themed garden retreat and free-form shaped pool. While the client wanted to update and replace many elements, they sought to keep the free-form characteristics of the existing design and repurpose existing materials. BK Landscape Design created a new garden with revetment walls and steps to a succulent garden with salvaged boulders from the pool and pool coping. We built a colored concrete path to access a new wood trellis constructed on the center-line view from the master bedroom. A combination of Bay friendly, native and evergreen plantings were chosen for the planting palette. The overhaul of the yard included low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage. A new wood deck replaced the existing one at the entrance as well as a deck off of the master bedroom that was also constructed from repurposed materials. The style mimics the architectural detail of the mansard roof and simple horizontal wood siding of the house. After removing a juniper (as required by the San Rafael Fire Department within the Wildland-Urban interface) we designed and developed a full front-yard planting plan. All plants are Bay-Friendly, native, and irrigated with a more efficient in-line drip irrigation system to minimize water use. Low-voltage lighting and minimal drainage were also part of the overhaul of the front yard redesign.

THEMES: ROCK Gardens |Rock Outcrop. This image depicts a PLANTED Rock Garden featuring mixed low plantings, both woody and herbaceous. There are many types of Planted Rock Gardens; they vary from low maintenance to very high mantenance. The one here by MVR requires moderate maintenance.

Sargent Photography
Example of a transitional u-shaped beige floor open concept kitchen design in Miami with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

In keeping with the garden theme, clay pots were repurposed as pendant lights. An antique seed rack and vintage signage decorate the barn board walls. Photo by Bob Trainor

Alen Lin
Example of a trendy rectangular pool design in Los Angeles

Lowell Custom Homes, Lake Geneva, WI., Guest bedroom with seating area wide wall of windows and ceiling fan. Custom door in alcove follows the line of the ceiling angle.

Photo of a tropical landscaping.

The property is one of the original farm houses located on the main street of a small town. It has been in the family for many years and our client just inherited the property. They were trying to have balance of preserving the old while realizing modern day living has its benefits too. The house had a large addition added using mostly old style materials, but designed with function and modern day luxuries. Our goal was to carry that theme to the outside. Our first problem we had to address was how to transition between the first floor elevation changes. The lower room was the husband’s office. He stated in the future he may have clients over and it would be nice to have an area to sit outside. The wife’s main concern was to renew the four corner garden. She also felt it was very important to be able to see it from the kitchen area. Finally there was an old wishing well stuck right outside the kitchen. They both felt it would be neat to be able to incorporate this in some how. They wanted a patio area with a built in grill to accommodate there family and friends. They also wanted to keep a large play area for the kids. We were able to pull this off successfully. We addressed the first issue by having a small lower level flagstone area. This area is large enough for 1 to 2 people to sit comfortably. It also provides a transition from his office to the larger patio area. We installed a simple small gravel sitting area opposite of the main patio. This provides our client a secluded place to relax or do business. Mrs.... told me she is amazed how much her and her husband enjoys this area. It is so peaceful looking at the small creek over a glass of wine. We built a natural limestone retaining wall to create the patio terrace. The stone was chosen to extend the houses architectural elements into the landscape. Irregular broken flagstone was used to give it a more casual feel. We installed three Serviceberries into the patio terrace to replace some trees that were taken down during the remodeling. She was very concern that they would block the view of the four corner garden. We new they were crucial to nestle in the terrace, so we placed them for a couple days for her to decide. Fortunately she agreed they not only kept the view open, but helped frame the garden. The four corner garden was designed to be viewed from afar and experienced up close. We wanted the space to have some formal structure while keeping with the casual farm house feel. Another natural limestone retaining wall was created. This leveled the garden terrace and helped associate it with the rest of the property. The four corner garden is nestled into the existing woods edge. This provides three distinct experiences to entering the garden; a more formal from the driveway, an open feel from the lower lawn, and a more natural / casual experience from the wooded area. The Plymouth brown gravel was used for the center of the garden. This helped highlight the stone post that was found during construction. The gravel also brings the sense of sound into the garden space. Lamb’s ear was chosen as a fun way to get kids interest in horticulture. The balance of using the new to create the old feel is what makes this project a success. The property has already hosted a local historical society event and won an award for its preservation efforts. When Mrs.... can’t find her husband, she knows he is either reading the newspaper by the grill or resting in the hammock along the wood’s path.

The Canterbury floor plan is a home with room to grow, with four bedrooms, a flex room on the main floor with a full bath, and a spacious loft area on the second floor. The main level offers a covered front entry, which leads into the dining room and open family room. The kitchen is open to the living spaces and features a breakfast island, butler's pantry, walk-in pantry, and separate breakfast area. An optional drop-zone can be placed off the garage entry. Upstairs, there are three spacious bedrooms surrounding the open loft area with additional storage closets. Bedrooms 2 and 3 also offer a Jack & Jill bath option, for a total of 4 full baths in the home. The Primary suite is a spacious retreat, with tray ceiling, dual vanity, commode closet, walk-in closet, and multiple tub and shower combinations.

This is an example of a small contemporary partial sun backyard stone flower bed in Other.

Japanese Garden after picture
Design ideas for a backyard landscaping in Chicago.