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.

Gardens of Growth Indianapolis, IN 317-251-4769
インディアナポリスにあるお手頃価格の広い、春のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな庭 (庭への小道、日向、天然石敷き) の写真

This property has a wonderful juxtaposition of modern and traditional elements, which are unified by a natural planting scheme. Although the house is traditional, the client desired some contemporary elements, enabling us to introduce rusted steel fences and arbors, black granite for the barbeque counter, and black African slate for the main terrace. An existing brick retaining wall was saved and forms the backdrop for a long fountain with two stone water sources. Almost an acre in size, the property has several destinations. A winding set of steps takes the visitor up the hill to a redwood hot tub, set in a deck amongst walls and stone pillars, overlooking the property. Another winding path takes the visitor to the arbor at the end of the property, furnished with Emu chaises, with relaxing views back to the house, and easy access to the adjacent vegetable garden. Photos: Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Stepping stones in a minimal gravel paved area lead past two lounge chairs to the intimate dining area. The herringbone-patterned limestone patio dissipates into a lush planting bed filled with loose swaths of shade-loving perennials and seasonal bulbs. Beech hedging, and formal clipped evergreens, surround the space and provide privacy, structure and winter interest to the garden. On axis to the main interior living space of the home, the fountain, is the focal point of the garden. A limestone water wall featuring an engraved pattern of fallen Honey Locust leaves nods to the centrally located mature Honey Locust tree that anchors the garden. Water, flowing down the wall, falls a short distance into a pool with a submerged limestone panel. The light noise of the falling water helps soften the sounds of the bustling downtown neighbourhood, creating a tranquil back drop for living and entertaining.

You can read more about the project through this Houzz Feature link: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/hillside-yard-offers-scenic-views-and-space-for-contemplation-stsetivw-vs~131483772

サンフランシスコにあるお手頃価格の中くらいな、春のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな庭 (庭への小道、半日向、コンクリート敷き ) の写真

ダラスにある高級な小さな、春のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな庭 (日向、天然石敷き) の写真

Anna Batchelor
ロンドンにある高級な小さな、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、砂利舗装) の写真

シアトルにある低価格の小さな、春のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな裏庭 (日向、天然石敷き) の写真

ロサンゼルスにある高級な中くらいな、春のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな庭 (ゼリスケープ、半日向、デッキ材舗装) の写真

Living Gardens Landscape Design
オレンジカウンティにある春の、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 (日向、砂利舗装) の写真

Contemporary concrete retaining wall with stucco to match.
サンディエゴにある高級な広い、春の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

ロサンゼルスにある高級な中くらいな、春のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな裏庭 (半日向、天然石敷き) の写真

Leptospermum laevigatum (New Zealand Tea Tree) with unusual bark--looks great lit at night.
オレンジカウンティにあるお手頃価格の中くらいな、春のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな裏庭 (日向、コンクリート敷き ) の写真

New landscape remodel, include concrete, lighting, outdoor living space and drought resistant planting.
サンフランシスコ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裏庭 (ゼリスケープ、ファイヤーピット、日向、真砂土舗装、ウッドフェンス) の写真

シアトルにあるお手頃価格の中くらいな、春のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな裏庭 (屋外コート、庭への小道、日向、天然石敷き) の写真

Pathways paved with crushed stone meander through this incredible space. We planted drought tolerant perennials; nepeta, euphorbia, pittosporum tobira wheelers dwarf, dymondia and lavender. Olive trees and Oaks surround this lovely garden.

The design brief for this project was to bring order to chaos. Just 13 metres from the end of the extension to the hedge at the back but with a rise of 4 metres. Obviously the slope was a major issue and there were going to be a lot of walls. Rather than use traditional masonry we thought that steel gabions filled with a local sandstone would give a different, more organic feel. As this garden is also supporting the garden of the next property the gabions provide the necessary structural support without having to use several tonnes of concrete. We also installed planting bags within the gabion stone so that walls will be softened with greenery. The gabion walls were very hard work. On top of the excavation we brought in 48 tonnes of stone to fill them. Due to limited access this was all done by hand. As well as the walls we needed lots of steps and oak sleepers fit the bill here. The lower patio was extended and the middle section is where the hot tub goes. Rather than the usual wooden shelter for the hot tub we used a detachable shade sail. The sails come in many colours and can be changed to suit the mood. The garden was to be low maintenance but we still managed to fit a few plants into the scheme and pots will eventually provide a bit more interest. To finish things off a small amount of lighting to give just the right mood at night.

Jeri Koegel
オレンジカウンティにある高級な小さな、春のコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな庭 (半日向、コンクリート敷き ) の写真