Low Water Use Gardens
This is an example of a large transitional partial sun and drought-tolerant backyard gravel retaining wall landscape in San Francisco.

Originally designed by one of the most notable landscape architects in town, this once impressive project had faltered in recent years. The pool and spa still functioned well, and the client wanted to keep it intact. In addition, they wanted to keep as much of the existing landscaping as possible. The surrounding decks, walls, and steps were fair game. At first glance, one might think that our changes were simple material changes. Upon closer inspection, however, one can see the subtle, yet transformative changes that come together to update this classic pool in a tasteful, timeless manner, and improve the flow and usability of the deck areas, while softening the feel of the massive hardscape. The subtle changes begin as soon as you walk out the back door of the house. The existing decking had a lot of what we call “tweeners”; areas that are overly generous walkways, yet not large enough to house furniture. The awkwardly small bluestone patio was expanded to accommodate a generous seating area, by pushing the step-down closer to the pool. Our talented stone mason carefully married the new bluestone into the existing, resulting in an imperceptible difference between the two. As you descend the new bluestone steps to the pool level, your bare feet will be thankful for the new smooth-finished limestone colored concrete, with a hand cut pattern carefully etched into its surface. The old red brick decking was so hot that the owners could not walk around the pool in bare feet. The brick coping was also replaced with an eased edge Pennsylvania Premier Stone which matches the new step treads throughout the project. Between the house and the pool, a large raised planter was reconfigured, giving additional space to the pool deck for a shaded lounge chair area. Across the pool, a bank of rather tall painted brick retaining walls were cut down, shortened, and moved. This lessened the visual impact of the walls, which were rather overwhelming in the space, as well as opening up a new seating area, nestled under the arms of the massive pecan at the back of the property. Rather than continuing solid decking around the entire pool, the area near these walls has been transformed to large stone stepper pads set in a sea of beautiful St. Augustine lawn. This creates a visually softened area that is still suited to setting tables and chairs when the guest list calls for additional seating. The spa area is quite possibly the most dramatic change on this project. Yet more raised planter walls divided this area into awkward spaces, unsuited to proper furniture placement. The planters were removed, new stone decks, once again expertly married into the existing, opening the area to house a large dining table and new built in bbq area. The spa itself was re-imagined with the bluestone coping, and painted brick veneer. The most impressive addition though is the new handmade glazed tiles that surround the existing cast stone water feature. This water feature was almost unnoticeable against the painted brick wall, but now the dramatic arch and pop of color draw the eye to this quaint little corner of the property.

Visit NKBA.org/ProSearch to find an NKBA professional near you- turn your dreams into reality! 2nd Place- Large Kitchen & People's Pick Kitchen Winner 'Step Back in Time' by Bryan Reiss, CMKBD This renovated kitchen in an historical home features antiqued, hand-painted finishes and a large antique Chinese print on the soaring wall over the stairs – a step into historic modernity! Oversize cabinets and hefty details on the island are embellished in different shades of gray. Photo: John D Smoak III

Pinemar, Inc.- Philadelphia General Contractor & Home Builder. Photos © Paul S. Bartholomew Photography
Mid-sized elegant l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, blue cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Traditional Style Wall & Steps using Techo-Bloc's Semma wall & Röcka steps.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard landscaping in Other.

Inspiration for a contemporary wooden floating open and cable railing staircase remodel in Detroit

re-used broken concrete in flagstone path, re-purposed corrugated metal on fence
Photo of a small eclectic full sun side yard stone garden path in Salt Lake City.

Stunning, high-tech patio and pool area features dramatic evening lighting, entertainment areas and smart home automation from Control4 to enhance the ambiance and add the ultimate in convenience. Broadcast the music or program of your choice to an outdoor space using a whole-home audio/video solution, powered by Control4. The recessed smart lighting and access lighting is designed to create the perfect personalized ambiance. Other automation options may include fireplace switches, pool and hot tub control, energy management, home security system integration and full A/V control. And everything can be controlled from virtually anywhere - using your Control4 app with a smart phone or tablet device or a convenient touch screen.

Inspiration for a contemporary galley eat-in kitchen remodel in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, metallic backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

This gorgeous walk-in master in Pure White is the perfect backdrop for displaying your wardrobe. You'll feel like you in a high-end boutique every time you walk in!

Designed by Laura Maurer
Example of a mid-sized transitional backyard stone patio design in Chicago with no cover

The client’s request was quite common - a typical 2800 sf builder home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, living space, and den. However, their desire was for this to be “anything but common.” The result is an innovative update on the production home for the modern era, and serves as a direct counterpoint to the neighborhood and its more conventional suburban housing stock, which focus views to the backyard and seeks to nullify the unique qualities and challenges of topography and the natural environment. The Terraced House cautiously steps down the site’s steep topography, resulting in a more nuanced approach to site development than cutting and filling that is so common in the builder homes of the area. The compact house opens up in very focused views that capture the natural wooded setting, while masking the sounds and views of the directly adjacent roadway. The main living spaces face this major roadway, effectively flipping the typical orientation of a suburban home, and the main entrance pulls visitors up to the second floor and halfway through the site, providing a sense of procession and privacy absent in the typical suburban home. Clad in a custom rain screen that reflects the wood of the surrounding landscape - while providing a glimpse into the interior tones that are used. The stepping “wood boxes” rest on a series of concrete walls that organize the site, retain the earth, and - in conjunction with the wood veneer panels - provide a subtle organic texture to the composition. The interior spaces wrap around an interior knuckle that houses public zones and vertical circulation - allowing more private spaces to exist at the edges of the building. The windows get larger and more frequent as they ascend the building, culminating in the upstairs bedrooms that occupy the site like a tree house - giving views in all directions. The Terraced House imports urban qualities to the suburban neighborhood and seeks to elevate the typical approach to production home construction, while being more in tune with modern family living patterns. Overview: Elm Grove Size: 2,800 sf, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Completion Date: September 2014 Services: Architecture, Landscape Architecture Interior Consultants: Amy Carman Design

Woodbury Gray granite steps and granite pavers.
Huge elegant white wood exterior home photo in Portland Maine with a shingle roof

John Sciarrino
Large elegant dark wood floor and brown floor hallway photo in Miami with beige walls

Patrick Barta
Trendy single front door photo in Seattle with a medium wood front door

Design Build Phi Builders + Architects Custom Cabinetry Phi Builders + Architects Sarah Szwajkos Photography Cabinet Paint - Benjamin Moore Spectra Blue Trim Paint - Benjamin Moore Cotton Balls Wall Paint - Benjamin Moore Winds Breath Wall Paint DR - Benjamin Moore Jamaican Aqua. The floor was a 4" yellow Birch which received a walnut stain.

Shawn Spry Photography
Example of a mid-sized mountain style backyard stamped concrete patio kitchen design in Kansas City with a roof extension

Example of a transitional open concept dark wood floor family room design in Los Angeles with white walls

Staircase - mid-sized eclectic staircase idea in London