Inspiration for a 1950s bathroom remodel in Seattle

succulent planting with built-in wood bench with poured-in-place concrete retaining walls. A decorative low water feature with concrete spheres bubbles on one of the terraces.

This “Arizona Inspired” home draws on some of the couples’ favorite desert inspirations. The architecture honors the Wrightian design of The Arizona Biltmore, the courtyard raised planter beds feature labeled specimen cactus in the style of the Desert Botanical Gardens, and the expansive backyard offers a resort-style pool and cabana with plenty of entertainment space. Additional focal areas of landscape design include an outdoor living room in the front courtyard with custom steel fire trough, a shallow negative-edge fountain, and a rare “nurse tree” that was salvaged from a nearby site, sits in the corner of the courtyard – a unique conversation starter. The wash that runs on either side of the museum-glass hallway is filled with aloes, agaves and cactus. On the far end of the lot, a fire pit surrounded by desert planting offers stunning views both day and night of the Praying Monk rock formation on Camelback Mountain. Project Details: Landscape Architect: Greey|Pickett Architect: Higgins Architects Builder: GM Hunt Builders Landscape Contractor: Benhart Landscaping Interior Designer: Kitchell Brusnighan Interior Design Photography: Ian Denker

A complete metamorphosis was needed to bring out the buried treasure hidden beneath this yard, and a family of five rattlesnakes had to find a new home! Here’s the short list of the awkward elements that had to be remedied: First, the neighbors’ living room window peered perpetually (like, all the time) and directly into the yard with no privacy whatsoever. None. Second, the vast deep end swallowed up the patio and provided no place for furniture, or walking. Only tripping and treading water was allowed. Third, the sunken lawn must have been an arena of some sort! Intentionally excavated from natural grade a full -42″ from the patio, for no good reason. Fourth, the not-worth-a-visit ramada was the focal point for the entire yard. See it up close! It’s gone. Fifth, the spa was shoved against the farthest wall and provided no invitation. It was so bad, it never had a photo taken! See the statue peeing between the two short columns? It’s over there. Peeing in the corner as all little boys are want to do. Sixth, the bbq and fire place were non-functional and equally uninviting, and here’s a better view of just how crowded the furniture is. Don’t fall in! Last, we will not mention the boulder pile droppings distributed around the yard. Oops! Sorry. The first order of business was to spend several weeks tearing out everything but the pool shell. Then another few weeks were spent wheelbarrowing in a few hundred yards of top soil (there was no access) to fill the matador pit flush to a more relatable -18″. The large gaping trough was then discretely hidden with large removable stones, so it was out of sight but still serviceable. Second, the neighbor was screened instantly with a row of mature Texas Ebony trees in a raised planter, that also housed a sculptural ironwood tree as the focal point of the property, soon to be reflected in the pool’s richer Midnight Blue pebble tec finish. A hundred or so yards of shotcrete filled not only the reclaimed deep end, but also created a sun shelf and spa ledge, now the focal jewel in the foreground as a 360 overflow vanishing edge spa clad in Pewter glass tile from Oceanside Glass, and viewed from all the interior living spaces. The BBQ was tucked around the corner out of sight but still easy access. The fireplace for two gave way to a large inviting built in banco, with a splashes of colorful fabrics to draw one out. The fire pit serves about 10 people easily, for hours at a time. Last but not least, the foreground of the pool became a sweeping entry shelf extending the full length of the pool, bedecked with fiberoptic starlights and six glowing bubblers set low, to just barely break the surface of the water, giving a lovely and tranquil sound while sleeping away with all retractable doors wide open. Simple. Serene. Self-evident. That is the remedy. If your project needs a similar touch, more or less, drop me a line and we’ll figure out a plan.

Zero edge spa with trough around 3-sides of spa. Bobe water and fire bowls. Duralume pergola. Masonry block fireplace with ledger stone, concrete caps and glass media.

The man-made stream runs throughout the property (beginning as an "overflowing" trough, and ending in a small pond). The water attracts wildlife, and creates a soothing trickle, and is beautiful to look at. Loose, natural plantings give the space more of an untouched feel.

using a trough sink in the master
Gray and dark wood farmhouse trough and integrated sink and wood single sink, 6-drawer and 3-door bathroom photo in Atlanta with a porcelain sink and self-closing doors

This swimming pool design is a perimeter overflow which means the water level of the pool is at the same elevation of the pool coping. The water overflows from the pool into a hidden trough below the coping and deck and the water gets recirculated into the pool. Perimeter overflow pool designs are one of the most complicated to build because there is very little room for error, if any at all. If you are considering a pool design of this nature, be sure to contact a experienced and qualified swimming pool designer. In addition to the unique design element of this pool, the homeowner wanted a interior finish that would deliver as much of a wow factor as the pool itself. They chose glass tile for the pool's interior. The glass tile really makes this pool sparkle and is one of the most durable, long-lasting finishes that can be applied on a pool's interior surface. Not to mention this type of finish is as pricey as it is durable. Photo Credit: Patrick Brickman.

The water falls over the tiled edge into a small trough and is recirculated back to the pool.
Pool fountain - mid-sized backyard concrete paver and custom-shaped infinity pool fountain idea

Outdoor patio, with recirculating water feature. Copper pipe through "building button" spout, mounted on beautiful fieldstone wall. Water falls into custom made copper trough.

Custom- made board-form concrete trough water feature. Photo by: Ramona d'Viola

This project was designed by architect and developer of Cypress Pointe, Mitch LaPlante. To quote Mitch, "Nature is the inspiration for this pool and water feature design. The Tranquility Garden Pool is nestled quietly within grand oaks and large pine trees, orchestrated to blend into its surrounding. The curvature of the pool reflects the pattern waves leave on the beach as they wash ashore and the cascading water features are a nod the to the waterways that surround Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The water wall is concrete and stucco with brass pipes for the water features where each one spills into its own trough that sits on a bed of river rock. Photo Credit: Clint Fore

This pool was designed to mesh with its environment. The copper pipe water feature and trough gives this backyard a rustic feel. The raised wall and spa were constructed using a stacked stone method. This design was replicated on the arbor's support columns. In keeping with the "great outdoors” feel, the entire pool and patio decks were laid with multi-colored flagstone. Look closely on the water's surface and notice the beautiful shadows of the existing backyard landscape. This peaceful feature can be seen more clearly when the pool's equipment is off and the water is still. Look even closer to see if you can find where the inner edge of the spa meets the pool.

Rear of waterfront home perched about 40 feet away from the waters sedge. Unobstructed views of ocean, mountain range and city. Rear doors glide ope to access the outdoor living area. Concrete decks are tiled with the same inside tilling to allow for extended indoor living outside. Brazilian hardwood decking with decorative rocks follow the outline of grasses that blow in the winds. Concrete modern saucer shaped planters ground the landscape as they move gently with water breeze. Enjoy the sunsets at the 14 foot circular concrete and wood fireball seating area. Dine outside at the custom marble dining table with succulent trough running through the table. One step down leads you to the covered roof has infrared heated 16 foot bar seating with TV and large lounging area.. Room has retracing glass panels for full enclosure or not. Cook in the outdoor 20 foot cooking kitchen and eat and live outside. Steps away unwind in the radiant floor heated front lounging area with gas two sided fireplace which overlooks the home 40 ft blue glass edgeless reflecting pond. Home feature more outdoor living spaces and rooms than indoor space. Sit back and enjoy the views and watch the boats and water traffic or enjoy the water with a paddle board or kayak. Homes along waterfront dock boats directly at the rear of the home in the sand undocked. Enjoy the peaceful retreat. John Bentley Photography - Vancouver

working with existing spaces to find solutions that optimize water flow
Example of a small minimalist brown two-story metal exterior home design in Toronto

working with existing spaces to find solutions that optimize water flow
Example of a small minimalist brown two-story metal exterior home design in Toronto

A close up of the pergola support bracket, scupper, and drip chain.
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern partial sun backyard stone landscaping in Toronto.

Small 1950s master gray tile and stone tile porcelain tile and gray floor drop-in bathtub photo in Vancouver with shaker cabinets, a two-piece toilet, quartz countertops, dark wood cabinets, yellow walls and a trough sink