Tess Fine © 2012 Houzz
Garden shed - farmhouse garden shed idea in Boston

Jeremy Fukunaga
Great room - contemporary medium tone wood floor great room idea in San Francisco

One of the most powerful elements you can add to your landscaping is a water feature. Ponds with waterfalls bring a multi-sensory experience to your outdoor space by creating reflections, movement, and sound. They are an ideal solution for smaller properties that don't have space for a pool. Water is therapeutic for everyone and can bring nature closer to those who are confined at home, like the elderly or infirm. A pond can become the focal point of a yard or outdoor room, regardless of size.

The problem this Memorial-Houston homeowner faced was that her sumptuous contemporary home, an austere series of interconnected cubes of various sizes constructed from white stucco, black steel and glass, did not have the proper landscaping frame. It was out of scale. Imagine Robert Motherwell's "Black on White" painting without the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston's generous expanse of white walls surrounding it. It would still be magnificent but somehow...off. Intuitively, the homeowner realized this issue and started interviewing landscape designers. After talking to about 15 different designers, she finally went with one, only to be disappointed with the results. From the across-the-street neighbor, she was then introduced to Exterior Worlds and she hired us to correct the newly-created problems and more fully realize her hopes for the grounds. "It's not unusual for us to come in and deal with a mess. Sometimes a homeowner gets overwhelmed with managing everything. Other times it is like this project where the design misses the mark. Regardless, it is really important to listen for what a prospect or client means and not just what they say," says Jeff Halper, owner of Exterior Worlds. Since the sheer size of the house is so dominating, Exterior Worlds' overall job was to bring the garden up to scale to match the house. Likewise, it was important to stretch the house into the landscape, thereby softening some of its severity. The concept we devised entailed creating an interplay between the landscape and the house by astute placement of the black-and-white colors of the house into the yard using different materials and textures. Strategic plantings of greenery increased the interest, density, height and function of the design. First we installed a pathway of crushed white marble around the perimeter of the house, the white of the path in homage to the house’s white facade. At various intervals, 3/8-inch steel-plated metal strips, painted black to echo the bones of the house, were embedded and crisscrossed in the pathway to turn it into a loose maze. Along this metal bunting, we planted succulents whose other-worldly shapes and mild coloration juxtaposed nicely against the hard-edged steel. These plantings included Gulf Coast muhly, a native grass that produces a pink-purple plume when it blooms in the fall. A side benefit to the use of these plants is that they are low maintenance and hardy in Houston’s summertime heat. Next we brought in trees for scale. Without them, the impressive architecture becomes imposing. We placed them along the front at either corner of the house. For the left side, we found a multi-trunk live oak in a field, transported it to the property and placed it in a custom-made square of the crushed marble at a slight distance from the house. On the right side where the house makes a 90-degree alcove, we planted a mature mesquite tree. To finish off the front entry, we fashioned the black steel into large squares and planted grass to create islands of green, or giant lawn stepping pads. We echoed this look in the back off the master suite by turning concrete pads of black-stained concrete into stepping pads. We kept the foundational plantings of Japanese yews which add green, earthy mass, something the stark architecture needs for further balance. We contoured Japanese boxwoods into small spheres to enhance the play between shapes and textures. In the large, white planters at the front entrance, we repeated the plantings of succulents and Gulf Coast muhly to reinforce symmetry. Then we built an additional planter in the back out of the black metal, filled it with the crushed white marble and planted a Texas vitex, another hardy choice that adds a touch of color with its purple blooms. To finish off the landscaping, we needed to address the ravine behind the house. We built a retaining wall to contain erosion. Aesthetically, we crafted it so that the wall has a sharp upper edge, a modern motif right where the landscape meets the land.

Eclectic medium tone wood floor dining room photo in New York with multicolored walls

Louise Lakier Photography © 2012 Houzz
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in Melbourne.

One of the most powerful elements you can add to your landscaping is a water feature. Ponds with waterfalls bring a multi-sensory experience to your outdoor space by creating reflections, movement, and sound. They are an ideal solution for smaller properties that don't have space for a pool. Water is therapeutic for everyone and can bring nature closer to those who are confined at home, like the elderly or infirm. A pond can become the focal point of a yard or outdoor room, regardless of size.

The snow has melted and it's almost the first of May. This therapeutic landscape journey that began with 2013 Boulder County Floods, is now a place where the homeowners can enjoy their mountain surroundings again. In the coming months, the plantings and seeding of the riparian areas will be done. We are looking forward to seeing this 'yellow brick road' inspired design in full color!

The prismatic faceting of the Trillian™ Bath Collection is an evolution of modern style that creates an edgy look which catches the light as well as the eye.

All photos copyright Brett Boardman
Minimalist carpeted bedroom photo in Sydney with white walls

For a truly refreshing spa like feel in the comfort of your own home our baths are designed to produce minimal noise with maximum stress relief. Enjoy the proven therapeutic properties whilst relieving your muscles and joints as whirlpool technology can assist in pain relief and alleviating discomfort.

WOW $2 million view! True PENTHOUSE in Icon I is striking as you walk into the top floor open beauty it feels like a breath of fresh air. At nearly 2000 sq ft, this luxurious suite boasts a beautiful living space expanding to both the dining room & kitchen. The decadent kitchen is perfect for cooking & offers elegant granite countertops, Bosch stainless steel appliances & a stunning view to ensure you'll enjoy every minute while preparing a feast. This property is ideal for entertaining with soaring 12 ft ceilings, rich hardwood floors & expansive VIEWS from every room! The master suite includes walk-in closet, spa-like bathroom with his & her sinks, therapeutic steam shower & jetted soaker tub. Then walk-out from your master to the sprawling patio that wraps around giving you 260 degrees of views, making the sunsets glorious to watch over a bottle of wine! This penthouse is a must see to appreciate its value. Located on trendy 104st; endless entertainment (new arena) & amenities right out your door! Call Lucia at 780 906 5768 to setup your personal tour.

Small eclectic u-shaped kitchen photo in London with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets and no island

Suzi Appel Photography
Danish bedroom photo in Melbourne