The contrast between white cabinets above and black cabinets below, as well as the different hardware adds visual interest to the project. All photos by Thomas Kuoh Photography.

Meghan Beierle O' Brien

The landscape of this home honors the formality of Spanish Colonial / Santa Barbara Style early homes in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix. By re-grading the lot and allowing for terraced opportunities, we featured a variety of hardscape stone, brick, and decorative tiles that reinforce the eclectic Spanish Colonial feel. Cantera and La Negra volcanic stone, brick, natural field stone, and handcrafted Spanish decorative tiles are used to establish interest throughout the property. A front courtyard patio includes a hand painted tile fountain and sitting area near the outdoor fire place. This patio features formal Boxwood hedges, Hibiscus, and a rose garden set in pea gravel. The living room of the home opens to an outdoor living area which is raised three feet above the pool. This allowed for opportunity to feature handcrafted Spanish tiles and raised planters. The side courtyard, with stepping stones and Dichondra grass, surrounds a focal Crape Myrtle tree. One focal point of the back patio is a 24-foot hand-hammered wrought iron trellis, anchored with a stone wall water feature. We added a pizza oven and barbecue, bistro lights, and hanging flower baskets to complete the intimate outdoor dining space. Project Details: Landscape Architect: Greey|Pickett Architect: Higgins Architects Landscape Contractor: Premier Environments Photography: Sam Rosenbaum

Emma Almendarez

Hinkley Lighting

Ryann Ford

The homeowner of this traditional home requested a traditional pool and spa with a resort-like style and finishes. AquaTerra was able to create this wonderful outdoor environment with all they could have asked for. While the pool and spa may be simple on the surface, extensive planning went into this environment to incorporate the intricate deck pattern. During site layout and during construction, extreme attention to detail was required to make sure nothing compromised the precise deck layout. The pool is 42'x19' and includes a custom water feature wall, glass waterline tile and a fully tiled lounge with bubblers. The separate spa is fully glass tiled and is designed to be a water feature with custom spillways when not in use. LED lighting is used in both the pool and spa to create dramatic lighting that can be enjoyed at night. The pool/spa deck is made of 2'x2' travertine stones, four to a square, creating a 4'x4' grid that is rotated 45 degrees in relation to the pool. In between all of the stones is synthetic turf that ties into the synthetic turf putting green that is adjacent to the deck. Underneath all of this decking and turf is a concrete sub-deck to support and drain the entire system. Finishes and details that increase the aesthetic appeal for project include: -All glass tile spa and spa basin -Travertine deck -Tiled sun lounge with bubblers -Custom water feature wall -LED lighting -Synthetic turf This traditional pool and all the intricate details make it a perfect environment for the homeowners to live, relax and play! Photography: Daniel Driensky

Dane Cronin Photography

Photo by Seth Hannula

VJ Arizpe

Swimming pool and exterior.

Applied Photogradhy

The hillside garden two years after it was planted. This sloped hillside was been transformed into a beautiful tapestry of colors and textures in every season. I specified drought tolerant plants and shrubs that are low maintenance and deer resistant. Located in Novato, CA - Marin County. The hillside has filled in beautifully! © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Mediterranean Modern

Featured on HGTV's show, "America's Top 10 Amazing Kitchens". This kitchen was designed for efficient cooking, and it looks fabulously French doing it. Designed to evoke the French Colonial period, its 10-foot ceilings, emblematic arches and intricate woodwork would have made Louis XIV proud. A decorative armoire, topped with iron pieces imported from Italy, hides the refrigerator, and a two-tiered Madura Gold granite island features a wet bar and two integrated white ovens. The island also features a raised seating area perfect for gatherings. Description by HGTV. Photos by Bryson Leidig

For the bathroom tile, the clients chose our Barcelona La Merced Quarter 6"x6" tiles to create a bright Mediterranean shower. The coordinating blue trim ties in the tiles from the bathroom into the shower. Also used in the bathroom were our Barcelona La Merced 6"x6" tiles for the entire lower half of this bathroom wall. Smaller La Merced 3"x3" tiles create a lovely border along the top. Coordinating blue cornice and liner tiles add a nice contrast along the edges of the decorative tiles. Our Yucatan Ceramic Field Tile collection, and its extensive molding and trim options, were used for this bathroom’s backsplash.

This photo was taken just a few months after the garden was planted. See most recent photos to see how the garden has filled in in less than 2 years. © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Formal, luxury style vanishing edge pool with tile deck, custom raised coping, built-in tanning ledge, and grass/tile patio.