Side yard dining area, with Ipe wood wall backdrop for BBQ parking spot

This rock pathway connects the front yard via a side yard pathway to the backyard creating a beautiful aesthetic flow that compliments the homes beauty and curb appeal.

Raised herb garden bounded by a Western Red Cedar fence, and arbor gate.

This was a creative collaboration with ROBIN KRAMER GARDEN DESIGN (their design combined with LaurelRock's plant installation and pruning). We used proper pruning techniques to square the hornbeam, green velvet, and 'Dee Runk' boxwood hedges, along with the pleaching of the linden trees.

Nothing beats fresh-cut culinary herbs for your cooking creations. Just a few steps off the kitchen patio, this raised herb garden is a good example of permaculture zones. By growing food closer to the place you will use it, chances are you'll be more invested to keep the plants thriving and love the ease of snipping a few sprigs here and there!

The terrace is surrounded by lush plantings. Robert Benson Photography.

Custom wood gate entry into backyard. Photos by Tom Minczeski/photoman.com

Landscape design and photography by Melanie Rekola

Custom made Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) privacy fence/divider. A gorgeous hard wood choice for outdoor fencing.

Land2c Custom vegetable trellis and stairway screen by Bent Productions--Shannon Buckner, blacksmith. Vegetable garden in a tight, side-garden/pathway. Now lovely all year.

Bluestone steppers through the side yard to the arbor.

This 2014 Luxury Home was part of Midwest Home's Tour. David Kopfmann of Yardscapes, was able to lend to the architecture of the home and create some very detailed touches with different styles of stone and plant material. This image is of the side yard, where David used mortared limestone for fireplace and a concrete paver for the patio. He used plant material to create texture and color. Boulder outcroppings were also used to lend some interest and retaining along the walkway.

In our busy lives, creating a peaceful and rejuvenating home environment is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Built less than five years ago, this Stinson Beach Modern home is your own private oasis. Surrounded by a butterfly preserve and unparalleled ocean views, the home will lead you to a sense of connection with nature. As you enter an open living room space that encompasses a kitchen, dining area, and living room, the inspiring contemporary interior invokes a sense of relaxation, that stimulates the senses. The open floor plan and modern finishes create a soothing, tranquil, and uplifting atmosphere. The house is approximately 2900 square feet, has three (to possibly five) bedrooms, four bathrooms, an outdoor shower and spa, a full office, and a media room. Its two levels blend into the hillside, creating privacy and quiet spaces within an open floor plan and feature spectacular views from every room. The expansive home, decks and patios presents the most beautiful sunsets as well as the most private and panoramic setting in all of Stinson Beach. One of the home's noteworthy design features is a peaked roof that uses Kalwall's translucent day-lighting system, the most highly insulating, diffuse light-transmitting, structural panel technology. This protected area on the hill provides a dramatic roar from the ocean waves but without any of the threats of oceanfront living. Built on one of the last remaining one-acre coastline lots on the west side of the hill at Stinson Beach, the design of the residence is site friendly, using materials and finishes that meld into the hillside. The landscaping features low-maintenance succulents and butterfly friendly plantings appropriate for the adjacent Monarch Butterfly Preserve. Recalibrate your dreams in this natural environment, and make the choice to live in complete privacy on this one acre retreat. This home includes Miele appliances, Thermadore refrigerator and freezer, an entire home water filtration system, kitchen and bathroom cabinetry by SieMatic, Ceasarstone kitchen counter tops, hardwood and Italian ceramic radiant tile floors using Warmboard technology, Electric blinds, Dornbracht faucets, Kalwall skylights throughout livingroom and garage, Jeldwen windows and sliding doors. Located 5-8 minute walk to the ocean, downtown Stinson and the community center. It is less than a five minute walk away from the trail heads such as Steep Ravine and Willow Camp.