There are many options to creating your own garden oasis in your own backyard…Zen and Meditation, English Cottage style, Aromatic with dazzling scents, and Wandering Gardens are among the endless choices available to you. Let’s delve a little deeper and take a walk on your garden path…

This intimate patio space was created to feature an existing wooden structure inside an Italian-Themed garden space. Seat walls, stone columns, and evergreen plantings add a warmth and richness to this patio space.

This intimate patio space was created to feature an existing wooden structure inside an Italian-Themed garden space. Seat walls, stone columns, and evergreen plantings add a warmth and richness to this patio space.

This intimate patio space was created to feature an existing wooden structure inside an Italian-Themed garden space. Seat walls, stone columns, and evergreen plantings add a warmth and richness to this patio space.

Mekenzie France
Example of an eclectic enclosed living room design in Charlotte with white walls

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.

Inspiration for a contemporary gender-neutral medium tone wood floor nursery remodel in New York with white walls

Tamara Alvarez
Inspiration for a mid-sized tropical full sun front yard brick landscaping in Miami.

Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean backyard tile patio remodel in Los Angeles with a pergola

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2017 Houzz Loggia Design team: Ederra Design Studio
Patio - traditional backyard patio idea in Los Angeles with a roof extension

Continuing the planting theme from the folly garden, the front landscape design is strongly influenced with boxwood and liriope. Decorative garden urns are positioned to amplify the formality of the front landscape. Landscape design by Josh Griffin.

Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in Denver.

Zury Martinez before
Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping.

Oz theme garden with re-purposed garden art by Backyard Getaway
This is an example of a rustic landscaping in Tampa.

Elegant plantings surround the pool providing both summer bloom and winter interest.
Photo of a mid-sized backyard concrete paver landscaping in New York.

When it comes to pool design, for some homeowners less is more. As opposed to a natural and rustic setting, these homeowners chose a contemporary theme focused on clean lines and geometric design. For this project, we ripped out a previous existing pool and installed a new lap pool design. Parallel to the lap pool, sits a square toddler pool. Planter boxes sitting behind lounge chairs are surrounded by a retaining wall containing a lush green softscape. Six pieces of large stone were used for a fire feature. The flames dance through large, decorative chunks of glass for an element of lighting effect.

Stone steps zig-zag up a garden slope with a sense of adventure, pausing at an stone overlook. Natural and rugged stonework, the masonry steps are irresistible to climb and set the style for the alpine-themed garden. A gravel path continues as a casual hillside trail.

Our clients have a busy life so they wanted their inner city garden to be low fuss and look low fuss. They wanted outdoor spaces that looked relaxed, with a simple and soft palette of finishes that acknowledged their coastal location. The site conditions and their brief also called for plants that were hardy and that would tolerate the full sun and sandy soils. The structural finishes and the plant colours provide a harmonious blend and compliment the design choices of the interior.

Rustic themed containers with annuals with variegated leaves or white flowers.
Inspiration for a mid-sized shabby-chic style shade backyard mulch formal garden in Chicago for spring.