Matte black steel pergola with a redwood roof.
Patio - mid-sized contemporary backyard concrete patio idea in Los Angeles with a fire pit and a pergola

This was a dried out weed strewn desert of a corner lot - including front, side and back gardens, with enormous parkways as well. The entire landscape hadn’t been touched in many years. We removed all the dead grass and weeds, created swales and berms, a big rain garden, paths and seating areas all with permeable paving. Also added fruit trees and veggie beds, and transformed the space completely. Now, the garden is full of birds, butterflies and pollinators! And the clients got a sizable rebate through the LADWP landscape rebate program!

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).

A simple wooden boardwalk passes through the forest. The stone sculpture is by Aaron G. Edwards
This is an example of an eclectic garden path in Seattle with decking.

Inspiration for a modern patio remodel in Dallas with a fire pit

The covered entry and garden featured exposed posts and beams and a water feature.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary red two-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Seattle with a shed roof and a metal roof

Design ideas for a small drought-tolerant and full sun backyard landscaping in Los Angeles with a fire pit and decking.

A charming courtyard for Taka Salon, which is an oasis on a busy treet. The custom designed and built stucco walls are angled to create and enclosed seating area just off the sidewalk.

This is an example of a small contemporary partial sun backyard brick landscaping in New York.

This beautiful English-inspired garden features Mexican bush sage, gulf muhly grass, blackfoot daisy, moonbeam coreopsis, coneflower, and rosemary. The space also features an outdoor sitting area with a custom corten steel fire pit to enjoy the lakeside views.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard concrete paver driveway in Austin for spring.

Fun project at the private rooftop at Gjelina on Abbot Kinney. Curated collection of pots and plants with drip irrigation.
This is an example of a small eclectic drought-tolerant and full sun rooftop landscaping in Los Angeles with decking.

A charming courtyard for Taka Salon, which is an oasis on a busy treet. The custom designed and built stucco walls are angled to create and enclosed seating area just off the sidewalk.

A charming courtyard for Taka Salon, which is an oasis on a busy treet. The custom designed and built stucco walls are angled to create and enclosed seating area just off the sidewalk.

©Melissa Clark Photography
Mid-sized mountain style backyard stone patio photo in DC Metro with a fire pit and no cover

This was a dried out weed strewn desert of a corner lot - including front, side and back gardens, with enormous parkways as well. The entire landscape hadn’t been touched in many years. We removed all the dead grass and weeds, created swales and berms, a big rain garden, paths and seating areas all with permeable paving. Also added fruit trees and veggie beds, and transformed the space completely. Now, the garden is full of birds, butterflies and pollinators! And the clients got a sizable rebate through the LADWP landscape rebate program!

This was a dried out weed strewn desert of a corner lot - including front, side and back gardens, with enormous parkways as well. The entire landscape hadn’t been touched in many years. We removed all the dead grass and weeds, created swales and berms, a big rain garden, paths and seating areas all with permeable paving. Also added fruit trees and veggie beds, and transformed the space completely. Now, the garden is full of birds, butterflies and pollinators! And the clients got a sizable rebate through the LADWP landscape rebate program!