Photography by Jeff Herr

Brett Winter Lemon Photography

It started with vision. Then arrived fresh sight, seeing what was absent, seeing what was possible. Followed quickly by desire and creativity and know-how and communication and collaboration. When the Ramsowers first called Exterior Worlds, all they had in mind was an outdoor fountain. About working with the Ramsowers, Jeff Halper, owner of Exterior Worlds says, “The Ramsowers had great vision. While they didn’t know exactly what they wanted, they did push us to create something special for them. I get inspired by my clients who are engaged and focused on design like they were. When you get that kind of inspiration and dialogue, you end up with a project like this one.” For Exterior Worlds, our design process addressed two main features of the original space—the blank surface of the yard surrounded by looming architecture and plain fencing. With the yard, we dug out the center of it to create a one-foot drop in elevation in which to build a sunken pool. At one end, we installed a spa, lining it with a contrasting darker blue glass tile. Pedestals topped with urns anchor the pool and provide a place for spot color. Jets of water emerge from these pedestals. This moving water becomes a shield to block out urban noises and makes the scene lively. (And the children think it’s great fun to play in them.) On the side of the pool, another fountain, an illuminated basin built of limestone, brick and stainless steel, feeds the pool through three slots. The pool is counterbalanced by a large plot of grass. What is inventive about this grassy area is its sub-structure. Before putting down the grass, we installed a French drain using grid pavers that pulls water away, an action that keeps the soil from compacting and the grass from suffocating. The entire sunken area is finished off with a border of ground cover that transitions the eye to the limestone walkway and the retaining wall, where we used the same reclaimed bricks found in architectural features of the house. In the outer border along the fence line, we planted small trees that give the space scale and also hide some unsightly utility infrastructure. Boxwood and limestone gravel were embroidered into a parterre design to underscore the formal shape of the pool. Additionally, we planted a rose garden around the illuminated basin and a color garden for seasonal color at the far end of the yard across from the covered terrace. To address the issue of the house’s prominence, we added a pergola to the main wing of the house. The pergola is made of solid aluminum, chosen for its durability, and painted black. The Ramsowers had used reclaimed ornamental iron around their front yard and so we replicated its pattern in the pergola’s design. “In making this design choice and also by using the reclaimed brick in the pool area, we wanted to honor the architecture of the house,” says Halper. We continued the ornamental pattern by building an aluminum arbor and pool security fence along the covered terrace. The arbor’s supports gently curve out and away from the house. It, plus the pergola, extends the structural aspect of the house into the landscape. At the same time, it softens the hard edges of the house and unifies it with the yard. The softening effect is further enhanced by the wisteria vine that will eventually cover both the arbor and the pergola. From a practical standpoint, the pergola and arbor provide shade, especially when the vine becomes mature, a definite plus for the west-facing main house. This newly-created space is an updated vision for a traditional garden that combines classic lines with the modern sensibility of innovative materials. The family is able to sit in the house or on the covered terrace and look out over the landscaping. To enjoy its pleasing form and practical function. To appreciate its cool, soothing palette, the blues of the water flowing into the greens of the garden with a judicious use of color. And accept its invitation to step out, step down, jump in, enjoy.

This Tuscan Italian Loggia was designed to take advantage of the view. The outdoor scenery is framed by the arches and columns, with a fireplace and TV above. The rustic ceiling of the loggia is Terra Cotta tile, just like the real villas in Tuscany, with open beams. Ceiling fans in the patio area keep the air cooler, and doors with custom wrought iron straps hide the tv. Walls with thick plaster arches, simple and intricate tile designs, barrel vaulted ceilings and creative wrought iron designs feel very natural and earthy in the warm Southern California sun. Hand made arched iron doors at the end of long gallery halls with exceptional custom Malibu tile, marble mosaics and limestone flooring throughout these sprawling homes feel right at home here from Malibu to Montecito and Santa Ynez. Loggia, bar b q, and pool houses designed to keep the cool in, heat out, with an abundance of views through arched windows and terra cotta tile. Kitchen design includes all natural stone counters of marble and granite, large range with carved stone, copper or plaster range hood and custom tile or mosaic back splash. Staircase designs include handpainted Malibu Tile and mosaic risers with wrought iron railings. Master Bath includes tiled arches, wainscot and limestone floors. Bedrooms tucked into deep arches filled with blues and gold walls, rich colors. Wood burning fireplaces with iron doors, great rooms filled with hand knotted rugs and custom upholstery in this rich and luxe homes. Stained wood beams and trusses, planked ceilings, and groin vaults combined give a gentle coolness throughout. Moorish, Spanish and Moroccan accents throughout most of these fine homes gives a distinctive California Exotic feel. Project Location: various areas throughout Southern California. Projects designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu, Westlake and Calabasas, across the tri-county areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills- north through Solvang and more. Arc Design, architect, Dan Smith, contractor, Mark Lohman, photographer,

Interior designer Scott Dean's home on Sun Valley Lake

Photo: Drew Callaghan

The covered lounge and entertainment area adjacent to the home includes a seating area, hearth and tv. The soaring wood veneer ceiling is in contrast to the Travertine tile floor surfaces that ties in the color scheme of the entire indoor-outdoor space. Photo by Jimi Smith Photography.

Architectural advisement, Interior Design, Custom Furniture Design & Art Curation by Chango & Co Photography by Sarah Elliott See the feature in Rue Magazine

Bluestone is a timeless and versatile sandstone product, quarried mostly in Pennsylvania. Bluestone blends subtly with a wide assortment of other materials as evidenced here in combination with limestone and cedar. This is thermal bluestone in a range commonly referenced as blue/blue.

This late 70's ranch style home was recently renovated with a clean, modern twist on the ranch style architecture of the existing residence. AquaTerra was hired to create the entire outdoor environment including the new pool and spa. Similar to the renovated home, this aquatic environment was designed to take a traditional pool and gives it a clean, modern twist. The site proved to be perfect for a long, sweeping curved water feature that can be seen from all of the outdoor gathering spaces as well as many rooms inside the residence. This design draws people outside and allows them to explore all of the features of the pool and outdoor spaces. Features of this resort like outdoor environment include: -Play pool with two lounge areas with LED lit bubblers -Pebble Tec Pebble Sheen Luminous series pool finish -Lightstreams glass tile -spa with six custom copper Bobe water spillway scuppers -water feature wall with three custom copper Bobe water scuppers -Fully automated with Pentair Equipment -LED lighting throughout the pool and spa -Gathering space with automated fire pit -Lounge deck area -Synthetic turf between step pads and deck -Gourmet outdoor kitchen to meet all the entertaining needs. This outdoor environment cohesively brings the clean & modern finishes of the renovated home seamlessly to the outdoors to a pool and spa for play, exercise and relaxation. Photography: Daniel Driensky

This Featured Project is a complete outdoor renovation in Weston Florida. This project included a Covered free standing wood pergola with a cooling mist irrigation system. The outdoor kitchen in this project was a one level bar design with a granite counter and stone wall finish. All of the appliances featured in this outdoor kitchen are part of the Twin Eagle line. Some other items that where part of this project included a custom TV lift with Granite and stone wall finish as well as furniture from one of the lines featured at our showroom. For more information regarding this or any other of our outdoor projects please visit our website at www.luxapatio.com where you may also shop online. You can also visit our showroom located in the Doral Design District ( 3305 NW 79 Ave Miami FL. 33122) or contact us at 305-477-5141.

Overt the top BBQ ramada with stereo, misting, TV, bar top, and every possible BBQ appliance.

Fire pit with awning.

Centered on an arched pergola, the gas grill is convenient to bar seating, the refrigerator and the trash receptacle. The pergola ties into other wood structures on site and the circular bar reflects a large circular bluestone insert on the patio.

Stonelake Haven is perfectly designed to offer outdoor living in a cohesive plan with outdoor lounges, swim up bar, pool. spa and water fall wall adjacent to porticos for dining and lounging in a Tampa area backyard. Custom Built by Ryan Hughes Design Build. Photography by Jimi Smith.

To create a colonial outdoor living space, we gut renovated this patio, incorporating heated bluestones, a custom traditional fireplace and bespoke furniture. The space was divided into three distinct zones for cooking, dining, and lounging. Firing up the built-in gas grill or a relaxing by the fireplace, this space brings the inside out.