A beautiful collection of low water plant combinations that include Stachy's "Big Ears", Purple Tapien Verbena, Verbena rigida, Bulbine Frutescens 'Hallmark' Orange Form and a purple Penstemon.

Inspiration for a large contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone garden path in Santa Barbara.

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Design ideas for a large contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun front yard gravel landscaping in San Diego.

A Trex deck was on the top of their list for the backyard with a decorative screen on the sides of the pergola for privacy. Asymmetrical steps up to the deck add a little playfulness to the deck which despite its generous size, doesn’t overwhelm the small yard. A constrained color palette of black, white and gray in the hardscape give the landscape a crisp and sophisticated appearance but the colorful drought-tolerant plant palette softens the look

John Prouty
Example of a mid-sized trendy backyard concrete paver and rectangular water slide design in Phoenix

A beautiful shade garden.
Inspiration for a traditional stone landscaping in DC Metro.

Photography by Studio H Landscape Architecture. Post processing by Isabella Li.
Photo of a small contemporary drought-tolerant backyard gravel landscaping in Orange County.

A mediterranean look in the desert with lantana added for color and softness. Pascale Sucato
Design ideas for a southwestern drought-tolerant and desert front yard landscaping in Phoenix.

To create a low maintenance, water wise landscape, we removed existing lawn and concrete walkway. Installed Angeles Block pavers in Tuscan, Desert Gold gravel and Boulders, Drought tolerant Aloes, Agaves, Phormium and Callistemon. And installed Drip Irrigation under the gravel.

Eichler in Marinwood - At the larger scale of the property existed a desire to soften and deepen the engagement between the house and the street frontage. As such, the landscaping palette consists of textures chosen for subtlety and granularity. Spaces are layered by way of planting, diaphanous fencing and lighting. The interior engages the front of the house by the insertion of a floor to ceiling glazing at the dining room. Jog-in path from street to house maintains a sense of privacy and sequential unveiling of interior/private spaces. This non-atrium model is invested with the best aspects of the iconic eichler configuration without compromise to the sense of order and orientation. photo: scott hargis

Mixing succulents with grasses and pittosporum create a colorful yet soft edge garden. Daniel Bosler Photography
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun front yard landscaping in Los Angeles.

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

A mixed hedge is underplated with Monkey Flower and Yarrow
Photo of a mulch retaining wall landscape in Los Angeles.

Step down into living room.
Example of a mid-sized classic formal and open concept carpeted living room design with white walls

Home design - eclectic home design idea in Montreal

Mid-sized transitional 3/4 beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and beige floor alcove bathtub photo in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, a two-piece toilet, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and beige walls