Aerial view of the Rich Residence in Brooklyn, NY. Winner of Silver award for Residential Garden Design, awarded by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, 2006. Featured in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Multiple hardscape media used: brick pavers, decking

Photography by Laurey Glenn
This is an example of a mid-sized farmhouse stone porch design in Richmond with a roof extension.

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

Inspiration for a country backyard patio kitchen remodel in Other with no cover

Photography by Laurey Glenn
Mid-sized cottage stone porch photo in Richmond with a roof extension

Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in DC Metro.

Really fun project featuring: Drystack retaining walls using 14 tons of Cabinet Gorge wall block Juniper raised beds, stained Pergola, stain Irregular Flagstone Patio 165 sq foot Bluestone featuring many extra large pieces Cut bluestone risers for main stair case Raspberry Trellis Cucumber/squash trellis Galvanized Horse Trough Planters, both oblong and circular, including a double stacked one in lower area. 200+ foot long fence extension + gate. Wetland buffer planting of both ornamental and edible varieties of plants 4 zone, complete automatic drip system with micro valve (manual) controls on all beds

Our client built a striking new home on the east slope of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. To complement the clean lines of the facade we designed a simple, elegant landscape that sets off the home rather than competing with the bold architecture. Soft grasses offer contrast to the natural stone veneer, perennials brighten the mood, and planters add a bit of whimsy to the arrival sequence. On either side of the main entry, roof runoff is dramatically routed down the face of the home in steel troughs to biofilter planters faced in stone. Around the back of the home, a small “leftover” space was transformed into a cozy patio terrace with bluestone slabs and crushed granite underfoot. A view down into, or across the back patio area provides a serene foreground to the beautiful views to Lake Washington beyond. Collaborating with Thielsen Architects provided the owners with a sold design team--working together with one voice to build their dream home. Photography by Miranda Estes

Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz Design: Sarah Warto, Boxleaf Design
Photo of a craftsman landscaping in San Francisco.

Silicon Valley ADU: modern Japanese bath: integrated trough sink with a removable panel to hide the drain, matte black fixtures, white Krion® countertop and tub deck, matte gray floor tiles. Cedar panelling extends from wall to ceiling (vaulted) evokes the spirit of traditional Japanese bath houses. Large skylight hovers above the family size tub; bifold glass doors opening completely to the outdoors give a sense of bathing in nature. building Lab is a design build firm specialized in modern architecture.

An old livestock tank is converted into a water garden. A vintage outboard motor serves as a fountain, adding to the backyard charm of this lakeside cottage. Design and photo by Bob Trainor

2019 Clca Judges Award, for best overall project entered. Modern Garden With a twist, the client requested a modern design, but also wanted lots of food production and cut flowers. Modern Outdoor kitchen, Fountain, and fire pit. Neolight was used as counter top fountain, bench , and fire pit surround

Timber Ties, Gravel
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic backyard landscaping in San Francisco.

Corten steel troughs are planted with Sky Pencil Holly, Hebe, sedum, and dwarf grasses. This Lake Oswego desk is just off the master bedroom. Design and Photos by Ben Bowen of Ross NW Watergardens

Carlsbad new construction; spanish courtyard and edible garden.
Photo of a mediterranean full sun backyard gravel vegetable garden landscape in San Diego.

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. Galvanized troughs used for vegetables in the side yard. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Deck - small contemporary backyard deck idea in San Francisco

Ian Moore
Design ideas for a large contemporary drought-tolerant backyard gravel retaining wall landscape in San Francisco.

Dark stone, custom cherry cabinetry, misty forest wallpaper, and a luxurious soaker tub mix together to create this spectacular primary bathroom. These returning clients came to us with a vision to transform their builder-grade bathroom into a showpiece, inspired in part by the Japanese garden and forest surrounding their home. Our designer, Anna, incorporated several accessibility-friendly features into the bathroom design; a zero-clearance shower entrance, a tiled shower bench, stylish grab bars, and a wide ledge for transitioning into the soaking tub. Our master cabinet maker and finish carpenters collaborated to create the handmade tapered legs of the cherry cabinets, a custom mirror frame, and new wood trim.