Rain water is channeled through a perforated pipe to create a waterfall. The water then is channeled into rain water reserve tanks under ground. Photo: Aaron Leitz

Artisan Tudor

David Thorne Landscape Architect

We developed this landscape over several years in close study with the Architects and Clients, who were committed to artisan-quality construction in every detail of the home and landscape. Each level of the house and terraced landscape boasts magnificent views to San Francisco. The steep site and the clients’ love of rustic stone lead us to create a series of luxurious serpentine stone walls to chisel the hillside. On each terrace of the garden, the same walls frame and hug unique spaces for play, entertaining, relaxing and contemplation. Each room of the house opens to a distinct, related garden room: a BBQ terrace with an outdoor kitchen and pizza oven; a quiet terrace with aquatic plants, Japanese maples, and a mermaid sculpture; a lap pool and outdoor fireplace; and a guest house with a vegetable garden. The resulting landscape burgeons into a true feast for the senses. Visitors are greeted at the street by stone columns supporting a tailored entry gate with Oak branch detailing. The gently sculpted driveway is flanked by Coast Live Oaks and California native plantings. At the top of the driveway, visitors are beckoned up to the main entry terrace by a grand sweeping staircase of Montana Cody stone steps. Before entering the main door of the house, one can rest on the stone seat-wall under a reclaimed redwood trellis and enjoy the calming waters of the custom limestone birdbath fountain. From the Grand Lawn off the rear terrace of the house, the view to the city is framed by romantic gas lanterns set on bold stone columns. Although the site grades required guardrails on this main terrace, the view was maintained through minimal planting and the use of an infinity pond and hand crafted metal railings to contain the space. The retaining walls of the Grand Lawn became a canvas for us to design unique water features. We hired a local stone sculptor, a local metal sculptor and a top-notch pool company to help us create a boulder water wall and artistic bronze fountainheads that thunder down into the pool: both playful and grandiose in one gesture. Architect: Graff Architects General Contractor: Young & Burton Treve Johnson Photography

Lake Geneva, WI Residence (A)

Van Zelst Inc

Photo by Linda Oyama Bryan

Sinbad Creek Residence

Swatt | Miers Architects

Russell Abraham

Santa Barbara Upper East

Andrulaitis + Mixon

The courtyard entrance to this historic Santa Barbara home is anchored by the central water fountain. The french doors that line the courtyard provide abundant natural light and ventilation and allow the subtle sounds of the fountain to permeate the home. Photographer: Emily Hagopian

North West Design Award Winner 2010

Kim Rooney Design

Landscape by Kim Rooney

Small Landscape with raised Spa

Amelia B. Lima & Associates, INC.

Amelia B Lima

Atlee Pathway

Swick's Landscaping

Basalt flagstone pathways, Allan block wall tiered garden beds, natural boulders transition gardens to pathways.

Suburban Oasis

Princeton Design Collaborative

Jeffrey Edward Tryon

Santa Barbara Hope

Sesshu Design Associates, Ltd

Ivanhoe Renovation

Avalon Northwest Landscape, LLC

Design by Avalon Northwest & LaPatra Architects, Seattle

Miami Beach Garden

Raymond Jungles, Inc.

Water Features

Stout Design Build Inc.

Modern, prefabricated water feature

A little piece of Asia

Garden Mentors

Spanish Revival

SoCal Contractor

looking form the pool to the house. Photo by Ken Haden

artificial stream

A J Miller Landscape Architecture PLLC

The man-made stream meanders through the front lawn area at the entrance to the home. The circular driveway crosses the waterfall over the bridge and in the center of the lawn we planted more than 10,000 bulbs of Muscari, Narcissus, Anemone and, Scilla.

Informal Garden - A Side Yard Garden Path using shades of Gray - Glenview, Illi

Schmechtig Landscapes

Request Free Quote Side Yard Landscape Design in Glenview, Illinois features the use of Gray in your landscape with blue stone and crushed blue stone path, water feature, garden plants, and painted brick wall.

Indonesian-Inspired Pergola

Clemens & Associates Inc.

Photo Credit: Lee Anne White

Portfolio

D-CRAIN Design and Construction

Desert Look Garden Design Ideas with a Water Feature

Get Inspired by Gardens on Houzz

A lot of the time when you get home from a long day at work, all you want to do is wind down. Where better to do this than in your very own garden at home? If you do it right, a great garden design can send you right into holiday mode. But where to start? There’s so many styles to choose from when it comes to garden design. Whether you want to create a tropical, modern, contemporary, beach style or country garden - or something else entirely - the large garden image gallery on Houzz has got you covered. Get inspired and collect your ideas to narrow down your desired garden style and features.

How to Create a Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a garden and if it’s appropriate for your climate. You may want to consider adding a deck or other landscaping features, but the plants you choose will mostly dictate your style and what kind of ongoing maintenance is required. Don’t worry if your backyard isn’t very spacious - there are many plants that can thrive even in a small space and allow you to turn your space into a little paradise of your own, regardless of size.

Decide which plants to use

The greenery you choose is critical to your look. For example, if you’re trying to create a tropical garden palm trees and bamboo are your go-to options. Other popular options are golden cane palm trees and fern for ground cover. From there you can add some colour with bright flowers like frangipani, hibiscus or bromeliads. All these are actually quite hardy plants, so once established, your tropical garden is actually quite easy to maintain. Use this structure and apply it to your style. Research which plants you need to set your base for a garden and go from there.

Add some decor

If the plants don’t quite do it for you yet, or if you want to add some extra wow-factor, consider adding some extra features. Even if you can’t accommodate a swimming pool, hot tub or pond, you could look at smaller water features. Simple rocks can also have a great effect, while statues and gnomes will add some extra character. Don’t forget to add some furniture so you have a nice place to sit and enjoy your garden!

Need some help?

Once you know what you want your garden to look like, it may be hard to make it a reality on your own. If that is the case for you, consider consulting a professional to help you with your garden design. Every photo you find on Houzz will lead you to the local pro that did the job, so you won’t have a problem picking the perfect person to help! Whether you need a gardener in Brisbane, a landscape architect in Melbourne or a fireplace installer in Sydney, you can be sure to find one on Houzz.