LAND BY DESIGN

A contemporary take on barn doors add a touch of drama and are a reference to theatrical curtains for the film screen against the garage wall. The wood paneling is a repeated theme throughout. To the right, the large panel shields the trash and storage area and provides intimacy to the lounge area. The fire pit adds drama and a cozy touch.

This water feature is enjoyed particularly from the outdoor dining table and from the Master Bedroom. A joyous blend of cooling sound and subtle light at nighttime. The screens indicate a transformation from one space to another and invite and exploration of what lies around the corner.

Tucked away in a corner of this garden is a seating area where friends can enjoy a quiet cigar and a glass of wine without disturbing those eating in the outdoor dining area or lounging in the Movie Lounge. Whilst tucked away, this affords a great view of the movie screen.

The walkway from the water feature to the outdoor dining area is covered by a retractable shade awning and a sail shade. It opens out to the movie viewing lounge and fire pit to the left and the cigar area beyond.

A mini hammock adds a touch of luxury and comfort as well as a fun element of whimsy.

The outdoor dining area is is in the heart of the design with the water feature on one side and to the other the fire fit and movie viewing lounge. This area is shaded by a retractable awning.

This beautiful curved driveway is part of an environmentally sensitive system to reduce erosion, by reducing storm water runoff and to retain rainwater on site. Made of tumbled concrete pavers it blends nicely with the beautiful natural rock retaining walls. Plantings are between naturalistic and formal to transition from architecture to the wilderness. This is a water wise landscape using drip irrigation and channeled drainage from the land.

This fire pit with natural rock seating wall and patio is perched on the edge of the mountain with beautiful framed views of the surrounding mountains and a river below. A pure joy at sunset with a glass of wine!

This naturalistic waterfall is designed to appear as though the source is beyond the field of vision. The waterfall ends with a pond at the base from where the water is recirculated to the top. The view of the water feature is enjoyed from the home and patios around the pond at the base of the waterfall.

Color, artwork, new furnishings and screening transform a tired old space. At night LED strip lights enliven the deck and add whimsy and modernity. A place to forge fabulous new memories to the sound of a fountain in the adjoining space.

A cozy little seating area beside a fountain is located at the entry way from the home and is ringed with seating color coordinated with the new awning. This space leads to the grilling area which then leads to the eating and lounging area, the entrance to which is defined by two dramatic pots containing large Alberta spruce.

This discerning client sought maximum use from an otherwise neglected side yard. Diagonal Trex decking is used here in the narrow side yard to give the appearance of greater width to the new deck / patio area. The new outdoor spaces include a dining space and a living space cleverly carved out and here a statue of Buddha is backed by naturalistic bamboo which adds to the Asian inspired / zen ambiance of the design of the deck.

Diagonal Trex decking is used here in a narrow side yard to give the appearance of greater width to the space. A statue of Buddha and a pagoda are backed by naturalistic bamboo to add to the Asian inspired / zen ambiance of the design of the deck / patio.

Diagonal Trex decking is used here in a narrow side yard to give the appearance of greater width to the space. A water feature comprising a recirculating water pump from Asian Decor, is backed by naturalistic bamboo to add to the zen ambiance of the deck / patio.

This fabulous back yard is a true paradise for an enthusiastic client who loves to entertain and fill the space with friends and family. Boules, basketball, swimming, ping pong, sunbathing, and general fun and enjoyment are the central theme to this wonderful eclectic space. Patios, decks, pergolas with retractable shades, water features include pool and spa, firepit and more.

This was a fun collaboration with a designer client who loves to entertain! A dull and empty back yard was transformed into a unified contemporary entertainment space for the entire family to immerse themselves in and enjoy to the full. Patios, decks, pergolas with retractable shades, water features include pool and spa, firepit and more.

Texture, color and form are key ingredients in this beautiful back yard. Patios, decks, pergolas with retractable shades, water features include pool and spa, firepit and more.

Texture, color and form are key ingredients in this beautiful back yard. Patios, decks, pergolas with retractable shades, water features include pool and spa, firepit and more.

This garden design relates the story of the owners' life transition from simple Montana country girl to urban chic woman. At the center of the garden a formal rose garden, and from there the framed view of the past accentuated by a wood pergola, represented by the wilderness of Montana. The waterfall appears to originate beyond the garden. A pergola and patio to the left ensure maximum enjoyment of the water feature. Naturalistic and water wise plantings compliment the overall effect. Drip irrigation is used throughout the plantings to conserve water.

A wood pergola provides shade for the enjoyment of this water feature. Permeable paving was used for the patio and walkway

Naturalistic plantings and huge monolithic boulders were used to convey the feel of a naturalistic water feature comprising waterfalls and a pond enjoyed especially from the adjoining patio and pergola.

A mix of black eyed susans, yucca, and ornamental grasses form the basis to this gorgeous and exuberant mass planting full of texture and color in the front yard of this Kansas City home.

Poured in place over-sized concrete pavers reinforced with wire mesh and separated with Mexican beach pebble form the basis of this outdoor patio design. Square pavers contrast with the softer circularity of the boundary. A planting scheme with a pom pom topiary is a nod to the retro contemporary style of the property and contrasts nicely with the white wall. A ring of flowering hydrangeas soften the architecture and contain the space. Japanese maple and ornamental grasses provide variety of texture and color whilst the vinca ground-cover and overall texture ensure interest throughout the year.

A beautiful and antiqued reused permeable brick path leads to a dining area patio and then to a beautiful fireplace (re-surfaced in brick) and living area patio pictured here. The wood fencing is new. Enclosed by a curtained fabric pergola and lit by a chandelier it is a true and elegant magnet for relaxation and serenity. Outdoor lounge furniture is from Restoration Hardware.

A wonderful layering of ornamental trees and flowering shrubs lead along a reused permeable brick path from a zen patio and pergola and a breakfast patio to a beautiful tiered fountain at the end backed by arborvitae and clematis and new wood fencing. Special attention was paid in the site planning and garden design to the water wise design of this landscape. The brick is unmortared with a sand base to ensure the return of valuable water to the soil and plantings. Plantings are arranged according to water needs, good soil preparation was paramount, plantings are irrigated by drip system and a good covering of wood mulch was used.

Another example of the beautiful variety of texture and color that changes with every season. Plantings surround a small breakfast area patio where the clients enjoy morning coffee under the filtered sun.

This garden comprises a complex layering of textures and subtle coloring. Also many of the plantings were designed to attract wildlife and the overall design was one of elegance, with a combination of naturalistic and formal plantings. Special attention was paid in the site planning and garden design to the water wise design of this landscape. The brick is unmortared with a sand base to ensure the return of valuable water to the soil and plantings. Plantings are arranged according to water needs, good soil preparation was paramount, plantings are irrigated by drip system and a good covering of wood mulch was used.

Bold curves and straight lines compliment the architecture in very much a mid century modern style. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this project was the implementation of a rain barrel system of storm water retention and use as the irrigation system for the plantings. The washing machine and the roof guttering were diverted to a series of rain barrels which then were set to irrigate the plantings. A fairly simple but effective and environmentally friendly solution to the water needs of the plants and the clients' desire to save water.

The back yard was very short and so the pool was placed along the house rather than perpendicular to it. A small area of astroturf, a line of low water requirement ornamental grasses and a seating area patio are placed by the pool.

A thick hedge hides the view of the neighbors and provides a wall to this outdoor room. Driftwood recalls the nearby ocean

A beautiful flowering mandevilla softens the walls of this serene outdoor room patio at the front entry of the house. The space is enclosed by a small seating wall and enjoys a fabulous view of the mountains.