I was initially contacted by the builder and architect working on this Modern European Cottage to review the property and home design before construction began. Once the clients and I had the opportunity to meet and discuss what their visions were for the property, I started working on their wish list of items, which included a custom concrete pool, concrete spa, patios/walkways, custom fencing, and wood structures. One of the largest challenges was that this property had a 30% (or less) hardcover surface requirement for the city location. With the lot size and square footage of the home I had limits to how much hardcover we could add to property. So, I had to get creative. We presented to the city the usage of the Live Green Roof plantings that would reduce the hardcover calculations for the site. Also, if we kept space between the Laurel Sandstones walkways, using them as steppers and planting groundcover or lawn between the stones that would also reduce the hard surface calculations. We continued that theme with the back patio as well. The client’s esthetic leaned towards the minimal style, so by adding greenery between stones work esthetically. I chose the Laurel Tumbled Sandstone for the charm and character and thought it would lend well to the old world feel of this Modern European Cottage. We installed it on all the stone walkways, steppers, and patios around the home and pool. I had several meetings with the client to discuss/review perennials, shrubs, and tree selections. Plant color and texture of the planting material were equally important to the clients when choosing. We grouped the plantings together and did not over-mix varieties of plants. Ultimately, we chose a variety of styles from natural groups of plantings to a touch of formal style, which all work cohesively together. The custom fence design and installation was designed to create a cottage “country” feel. They gave us inspiration of a country style fence that you may find on a farm to keep the animals inside. We took those photos and ideas and elevated the design. We used a combination of cedar wood and sandwich the galvanized mesh between it. The fence also creates a space for the clients two dogs to roam freely around their property. We installed sod on the inside of the fence to the home and seeded the remaining areas with a Low Gro Fescue grass seed with a straw blanket for protection. The minimal European style custom concrete pool was designed to be lined up in view from the porch and inside the home. The client requested the lawn around the edge of the pool, which helped reduce the hardcover calculations. The concrete spa is open year around. Benches are on all four sides of the spa to create enough seating for the whole family to use at the same time. Mortared field stone on the exterior of the spa mimics the stone on the exterior of the home. The spa equipment is installed in the lower level of the home to protect it from the cold winter weather. Between the garage and the home’s entry is a pea rock sitting area and is viewed from several windows. I wanted it to be a quiet escape from the rest of the house with the minimal design. The Skyline Locust tree planted in the center of the space creates a canopy and softens the side of garage wall from the window views. The client will be installing a small water feature along the garage for serene noise ambience. The client had very thoughtful design ideas styles, and our collaborations all came together and worked well to create the landscape design/installation. The result was everything they had dreamed of and more for their Modern European Cottage home and property.

Justin Lopez Photography
Inspiration for a small midcentury detached studio in San Francisco.

One of our sheds customized with loft. Customer added his many tools and equipment. Looks like he has plenty of space to spare.
Inspiration for a small modern detached studio in Detroit.

fully bespoke Garden Room for our clients Joe & Jo in Surbiton Surrey. The room was fully bespoke L shaped design based on our Dawn room from our signature range. The site was very challenging as was on a slope and a flood plan and had a 250-Year-old Oak tree next to the intended location of the room. The Oaktree also had a `tree protection order on it, so could not be trimmed or moved and we had to consult and work with an Arbourculturist on the build and foundations. The room was clad in our Canadian Redwood cladding and complimented with a corner set of 5 leaf bi-fold doors and further complimented with a separate external entrance door to the office area. The Garden room was designed to be a multifunctional space for all the family to use and that included separate areas for the Home office and Lounge. The home office was designed for 2 peopled included a separate entrance door and 4 sets of pencil windows to create a light and airy office looking out towards the Beautiful Oaktree. The lounge and bar area included. A lounge area with a TV and turntable and a bespoke build Bar with Sink and storage and a feature wall with wooden slats. The room was further complimented. A separate toilet and washbasin and shower. A separate utility room. The overall room is complimented with dual air conditioning/heating. We also designed and built the raised stepped Decking area by Millboard

Photo of a mid-sized arts and crafts detached studio in Other.

Some time ago our client added a swimming pool to their garden. After some time, they decided that a poolhouse would complete their outdoor space. We designed and built a unique garden room with a lot of additional features requested by the house owners. Now, it is one of their favourite parts of the property.

From the outside, this garden room has an offset canopy area with composite decking. It is partly enclosed to offer them privacy from the neighbours and more sheltered when the weather isn't great. The panoramic window in the corner offers great views of the garden while using the gym equipment

Many garden rooms are a simple box, but this project had to be different because of the odd shape of the garden. We combined the geometry with a raw exposed timber structure to create an interesting garden office space. The oversized stud work is clad in seared larch cladding on the outside with 170mm of insulation ans plywood internal wall lining. The internal part of the timber studs projects one foot into the space creating a shelving system and table cantilever from the structure allowing for a flexible and functional space. Large glass sliding panels frame the garden with a central skylight capping the vaulted roof. Externally a green sedum room blends the structure into the mature garden.

A classy studio made up for a productive office space. Accented with charcoal metal siding, the exterior is made with pre-stained Maibec siding, providing a crisp, clean, and modern look to the backyard.

A garden workshop was an essential part of the brief for the customer to use as a studio, workshop and home office
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary detached studio in London.

This 6' by 8' garden shed stores tools and other gardening supplies.
This is an example of a mid-sized modern detached studio in Sacramento.

Matthew Millman
Design ideas for a contemporary detached studio in San Francisco.

Severine Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional detached studio in Jacksonville.

The exterior of the SheShed closed up to survive winter. Next year this little work space will get more finishing work.
Design ideas for a small country detached studio in Vancouver.

10x12 Studio Shed Signature Series - She Shed. Cedar Plank siding, Fireworks (red) french doors, dark bronze aluminum.
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury detached studio in Sacramento.

My clients knew their house didn't match their modern Scandinavian style. Located in South Charlotte in an older, well-established community, Sara and Ash had big dreams for their home. During our virtual consultation, I learned a lot about this couple and their style. Ash is a woodworker and business owner; Sara is a realtor so they needed help pulling a vision together to combine their styles. We looked over their Pinterest boards where I began to envision their mid-century, meets modern, meets Scandinavian, meets Japanese garden, meets Monterey style. I told you I love making each exterior unique to each homeowner! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The backyard was top priority for this family of 4 with a big wish-list. Sara and Ash were looking for a she-shed for Sara’s Peleton workouts, a fire pit area to hangout, and a fun and functional space that was golden doodle-friendly. They also envisioned a custom tree house that Ash would create for their 3-year-old, and an artificial soccer field to burn some energy off. I gave them a vision for the back sunroom area that would be converted into the woodworking shop for Ash to spend time perfecting his craft. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This landscape is very low-maintenance with the rock details, evergreens, and ornamental grasses. My favorite feature is the pops of black river rock that contrasts with the white rock

This Art Studio was placed within the tight boundaries of setback lines. It faced North so the main light was captured on the north facing façade. In order to allow the Pecan tree to continue it's growth the exposed outriggers were designed around the branches.

interior unfinished shop of 225sf. Rebuild llc
Small arts and crafts detached studio in Portland.

A bespoke garden room for our clients in Oxford. The room was from our signature range of rooms and based on the Dawn Room design. The clients wanted a fully bespoke room to fit snuggling against the brick boundary walls and Victorian Garden and family house, the room was to be a multifunctional space for all the family to use. The clients opted for a Pitched roof design complimented with Welsh Slate tiles, and Zinc guttering. The room needed to work as a break space, with a lounge, a small Gym area for Peloton bike, a small Kitchenette, a separate toilet, shower and Washbasin. The room featured 3 leaf bi-fold doors, it was clad in Shou Sugi Ban burnt Larch cladding. The room was heated and cooled with inbuilt air conditioning and was further complemented by a bespoke designed built-in storage.