Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary full sun front yard gravel water fountain landscape in Detroit.

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.

Tiled spa, swimming pool, water features, and built in cocktail tables with umbrellas next to Baja shelf
Example of a large tuscan backyard stone and custom-shaped infinity pool design in Los Angeles

This private residence in Arizona has 22 exquisite slabs of onyx in the master bathroom. The overall goal of this project was to create a museum experience for the homeowners, yet have it remain comfortable and livable. The master bathroom contains an 18 ft. long x 10 ft. tall backlit shower wall that opens to a private outdoor space. Walls within the 440 sq. ft. master bath were floated square and plumb, water proofed and clad with the direct adhered method per the MIA installation standard for wet areas-stone slab residential showers. The onyx slabs were sized, templated for random colors, cut and fabricated with a 1/6" chamfer to create a jeweled edge. Hidden in these walls were backlit medicine cabinets, trash bins, and accent panels. Each panel was highlighted with a stainless muntz bar on all sizes. The custom backlit trough sinks were fabricated to contain a slot drain and functioning drawers. The entire master bath floor was treated as a wet area with suspended shower floor. A secondary shower floor underneath, pitched water to drain system below.

This is an example of a contemporary shade hillside water fountain landscape in San Francisco.

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.

Stepping through the French doors of the loft balcony, one gains the view and the revelation of the cottage-style garden and its Stissing Mountain backdrop beyond. As a continuum - a newly designed bluestone terrace, with its rustic stone fountain and pebble spillway, is crafted as the garden extended “living room”; where one can take in the breathtaking scenery. Continuing out from the garden, a mix of wood chips and stones form the intended serpentine paths that wind through the fields and woodlands and link to other parts of the property, maximizing the enjoyment of the 30 acres and the providing a reconnection to nature. Sloan Architects, P.C.

Large minimalist backyard deck container garden photo in San Francisco with no cover

Joshua Do
Pool - contemporary pool idea in San Francisco

17th Century, Antique wall Fountain
Example of a mid-sized 1960s white two-story stone house exterior design in Dallas

Concrete Trough Sink with inlayed stones
Bathroom - modern bathroom idea in Phoenix

Example of a southwest home design design in Austin

Home design - southwestern home design idea in Austin

Home design - southwestern home design idea in Austin

Inspiration for a southwestern home design remodel in Austin

Inspiration for a southwestern home design remodel in Austin

Neolithic Materials specializes in rare reclaimed and newly quarried limestone architectural elements sourced from across the Mediterranean. Our Southern California collection includes fireplaces, fountains, flooring, pavers, sinks, tubs, benches, antique tiles, wall cladding, and custom-made stone pieces. For inquiries, contact us at (310) 289-0414 or info@neolithicmaterials.com

trough water feature with La Paz pebbles
Design ideas for a large contemporary full sun landscaping in San Francisco.

This pool’s 7’ deep end is not deep enough for diving, but the elevated wall is perfect for jumping into the pool over the waterfalls. The adjacent L-shaped underwater bench makes it easy to climb out. For adults it’s an underwater couch with spa jets and a favourite gathering spot to enjoy some therapeutic pampering.