Ryan Garvin
Bathroom - coastal bathroom idea in Orange County with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets and white cabinets

Lake Front Country Estate Fire Pit, designed by Tom Markalunas and JDP Design, built by Resort Custom Homes and The Collins Group. Photography by Rachael Boling

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern open concept light wood floor living room remodel in San Francisco with blue walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Large modern brown two-story mixed siding house exterior idea in San Francisco with a mixed material roof and a gray roof

Lee Manning Photography
Mid-sized cottage master white tile and ceramic tile medium tone wood floor freestanding bathtub photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, medium tone wood cabinets, marble countertops, a two-piece toilet and white walls

Architecture & Interior Design: David Heide Design Studio Photo: Susan Gilmore Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless white two-story wood gable roof remodel in Minneapolis with a shingle roof

Corner shower - traditional master gray tile ceramic tile corner shower idea with dark wood cabinets, gray walls, a drop-in sink, granite countertops and shaker cabinets

This late 70's ranch style home was recently renovated with a clean, modern twist on the ranch style architecture of the existing residence. We were hired to create the entire outdoor environemnt including the new pool and spa. Similar to the renovated home, this aquatic environment was designed to take a traditional pool and gives it a clean, modern twist. The site proved to be perfect for a long, sweeping curved water feature that can be seen from all of the outdoor gathering spaces as well as many rooms inside the residence. This design draws people outside and allows them to explore all of the features of the pool and outdoor spaces. Features of this resort like outdoor environment include play pool with two lounge areas with LED lit bubblers, Pebble Tec Pebble Sheen Luminous series pool finish, Lightstreams glass tile, spa with six custom copper Bobe water spillway scuppers, water feature wall with three custom copper Bobe water scuppers, Fully automated with Pentair Equipment, LED lighting throughout the pool and spa, gathering space with automated fire pit, lounge deck area, synthetic turf between step pads and deck and a fully loaded Gourmet outdoor kitchen to meet all the entertaining needs. This outdoor environment cohesively brings the clean & modern finishes of the renovated home seamlessly to the outdoors to a pool and spa for play, exercise and relaxation. Photography: Daniel Driensky

Large trendy white two-story stucco flat roof photo in San Francisco

Porch
Country home design photo in Minneapolis

Designer: Allen Construction General Contractor: Allen Construction Photographer: Jim Bartsch Photography
Example of a mid-century modern open concept concrete floor living room design in Los Angeles with a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Designed by architect Jonathan Segal, this stunning 5,300-square-foot, three-story home in San Diego’s La Jolla neighborhood features modern indoor/outdoor living courtesy of Western Window Systems’ Series 600 Multi-Slide Doors. Photo credit: Matthew Segal.

Inspiration for a large contemporary white two-story stucco flat roof remodel in San Francisco

Example of a mountain style mixed siding gable roof design in Burlington

Alcove bathtub - scandinavian 3/4 beige tile and porcelain tile ceramic tile and green floor alcove bathtub idea in Boston with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

Large classic screened-in back porch idea in DC Metro with decking and a roof extension

Large elegant master carpeted and beige floor bedroom photo in Raleigh with gray walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern master porcelain tile and beige floor drop-in bathtub remodel in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls and brown countertops