Pristine Acres (www.pristineacres.com) had the wonderful opportunity to build this European-inspired backyard for a very nice young family from Belgium. We incorporated railroad tie planters, flagstone patios and steppers, and a Zoysia grass pool deck into the design. The plantings included lots of Boxwoods and other evergreens and also a European Hornbeam-lined gravel boulevard.

The back garden for an innovative property in Fulham Cemetery - the house featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs in January 2021. The design had to enhance the relationship with the bold, contemporary architecture and open up a dialogue with the wild green space beyond its boundaries. Seen here in spring, this lush space is an immersive journey through a woodland edge planting scheme.

Outdoor water feature
ソルトレイクシティにあるラグジュアリーな中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな庭 (日向、コンクリート敷き 、石フェンス) の写真

This shade arbor, located in The Woodlands, TX north of Houston, spans the entire length of the back yard. It combines a number of elements with custom structures that were constructed to emulate specific aspects of a Zen garden. The homeowner wanted a low-maintenance garden whose beauty could withstand the tough seasonal weather that strikes the area at various times of the year. He also desired a mood-altering aesthetic that would relax the senses and calm the mind. Most importantly, he wanted this meditative environment completely shielded from the outside world so he could find serenity in total privacy. The most unique design element in this entire project is the roof of the shade arbor itself. It features a “negative space” leaf pattern that was designed in a software suite and cut out of the metal with a water jet cutter. Each form in the pattern is loosely suggestive of either a leaf, or a cluster of leaves. These small, negative spaces cut from the metal are the source of the structure’ powerful visual and emotional impact. During the day, sunlight shines down and highlights columns, furniture, plantings, and gravel with a blend of dappling and shade that make you feel like you are sitting under the branches of a tree. At night, the effects are even more brilliant. Skillfully concealed lights mounted on the trusses reflect off the steel in places, while in other places they penetrate the negative spaces, cascading brilliant patterns of ambient light down on vegetation, hardscape, and water alike. The shade arbor shelters two gravel patios that are almost identical in space. The patio closest to the living room features a mini outdoor dining room, replete with tables and chairs. The patio is ornamented with a blend of ornamental grass, a small human figurine sculpture, and mid-level impact ground cover. Gravel was chosen as the preferred hardscape material because of its Zen-like connotations. It is also remarkably soft to walk on, helping to set the mood for a relaxed afternoon in the dappled shade of gently filtered sunlight. The second patio, spaced 15 feet away from the first, resides adjacent to the home at the opposite end of the shade arbor. Like its twin, it is also ornamented with ground cover borders, ornamental grasses, and a large urn identical to the first. Seating here is even more private and contemplative. Instead of a table and chairs, there is a large decorative concrete bench cut in the shape of a giant four-leaf clover. Spanning the distance between these two patios, a bluestone walkway connects the two spaces. Along the way, its borders are punctuated in places by low-level ornamental grasses, a large flowering bush, another sculpture in the form of human faces, and foxtail ferns that spring up from a spread of river rock that punctuates the ends of the walkway. The meditative quality of the shade arbor is reinforced by two special features. The first of these is a disappearing fountain that flows from the top of a large vertical stone embedded like a monolith in the other edges of the river rock. The drains and pumps to this fountain are carefully concealed underneath the covering of smooth stones, and the sound of the water is only barely perceptible, as if it is trying to force you to let go of your thoughts to hear it. A large piece of core-10 steel, which is deliberately intended to rust quickly, rises up like an arced wall from behind the fountain stone. The dark color of the metal helps the casual viewer catch just a glimpse of light reflecting off the slow trickle of water that runs down the side of the stone into the river rock bed. To complete the quiet moment that the shade arbor is intended to invoke, a thick wall of cypress trees rises up on all sides of the yard, completely shutting out the disturbances of the world with a comforting wall of living greenery that comforts the thoughts and emotions.

ロンドンにあるラグジュアリーな広い、夏のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな庭 (コンテナガーデン、日向、天然石敷き) の写真

シドニーにあるラグジュアリーな中くらいな、夏のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな庭 (半日向、デッキ材舗装、擁壁) の写真

Flagstone staircase cut into the side of the hill with tiered Sandstone boulder walls
他の地域にあるラグジュアリーな巨大なコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな庭 (半日向、天然石敷き) の写真

フェニックスにあるラグジュアリーな巨大な、春のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな庭 (ゼリスケープ、日向) の写真

Landscape Architect: The Garden Consultants, Inc.; Photography: Linda Oyama Bryan
シカゴにあるラグジュアリーな中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな裏庭 (天然石敷き) の写真

This estate greenhouse has double glass that lets the light shine out through the night. Photo: Bob Matheson
バンクーバーにあるラグジュアリーな巨大な、夏のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな庭 (池、半日向、天然石敷き) の写真

One-of-a-kind and other very rare plants are around every corner. The view from any angle offers something new and interesting. The property is a constant work in progress as planting beds and landscape installations are in constant ebb and flow.

ラスベガスにあるラグジュアリーな広いコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな裏庭 (ファイヤーピット、日向、コンクリート敷き ) の写真

This was a brand new contemporary building on a grand street of houses requiring a garden that would complement the modern design but also meet the clients brief for a low maintenance garden. Brief – The garden needed to look stunning all year round as all main living rooms overlooked the space. The client required a large area for entertaining family and friends, with a large lawn to give space for a marquee for special occasions. Design – Due to the sloping site, this Formal garden was designed with several different levels to create various rooms for entertaining and relaxing. The design consists of three lawns and stunning porcelain paving and steps down to the house. Pleached trees line the large lawn area whilst stepped hedging frame the garden with a variety of hedge to give different shades of green in the summer. Hornbeam hedging was used to create contrast in the winter months with its golden leaves. A sunken area housing an outdoor kitchen and dining area, to include a tandoor oven, bbq, pizza oven and washing facilities will ultimately be covered with a green roof. A bespoke water feature cascading down one side of the garden. Rendered white washed walls tie in with the finish of the house and create drama. The focal point of the garden will ultimately be a large spherical sculpture with a rendered wall as the back drop.

This was an almost abandoned garden when we took over, with 2 sheds and 1 garage. We have transformed it into a calm oasis of crisp lines, elegant materials, comfortable seating areas, generous lawn for the football-mad men/boys of the family and flower beds providing year long interest. At the far end of the garden, two venerable apple trees provide a strong focus and a bespoke contemporary playhouse offers additional enjoyment in the winter months.

This was a brand new contemporary building on a grand street of houses requiring a garden that would complement the modern design but also meet the clients brief for a low maintenance garden. Brief – The garden needed to look stunning all year round as all main living rooms overlooked the space. The client required a large area for entertaining family and friends, with a large lawn to give space for a marquee for special occasions. Design – Due to the sloping site, this Formal garden was designed with several different levels to create various rooms for entertaining and relaxing. The design consists of three lawns and stunning porcelain paving and steps down to the house. Pleached trees line the large lawn area whilst stepped hedging frame the garden with a variety of hedge to give different shades of green in the summer. Hornbeam hedging was used to create contrast in the winter months with its golden leaves. A sunken area housing an outdoor kitchen and dining area, to include a tandoor oven, bbq, pizza oven and washing facilities will ultimately be covered with a green roof. A bespoke water feature cascading down one side of the garden. Rendered white washed walls tie in with the finish of the house and create drama. The focal point of the garden will ultimately be a large spherical sculpture with a rendered wall as the back drop.

The homeowners wanted to better use their outdoor space to feel like an extension of their home with several separate lounge and entertaining spaces. While they desired to keep the lawn for their kids, they also wanted to ensure there were enough private areas for adults. While these factors are typical for an Alderwood project, the challenges of this landscape made the final design incredibly unique. Rather quickly, our design team learned that a large septic system ran right underneath most of the backyard. Coordinating with city workers, the building architect, and the clients, our landscape architect crafted a unique design that worked around the drain constraints and accomplished each desire on the clients' list.

Outdoor living at its best! Fire pit surrounded by custom bench with lighting under seat, Granite terrace, and steps. SiteCreative Landscape Architecture, Greg Premru Photography

Emilly Bartlett Photography
メルボルンにあるラグジュアリーな中くらいな、春のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな庭 (擁壁、半日向、天然石敷き) の写真

Dylan Lark
メルボルンにあるラグジュアリーな小さなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな庭 (半日向、天然石敷き) の写真