Small mediterranean backyard full sun xeriscape in London with natural stone pavers.

Inspiration for a country detached studio in Portland.

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design | L. Cramer Builders + Remodelers, Builder | Troy Thies, Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

The dramatic lighting highlight the exquisite landscaping and architectural features. Landscape architect: Patrea StJohn
Expansive tropical two-storey stucco beige exterior in Miami.

Master bathroom vanity with detailing for consistent theme. Interior Design by DLH Design Studio, LLC: Michelle Stolte, Designer, and Deb Houseworth, Principal. http://www.houzz.com/pro/dlhasid/dlh-design-studio-llc Photo by Greg Hadley Photography. http://www.houzz.com/pro/greghadley/greg-hadley-photography

This garden house was designed by owner and architect, Shirat Mavligit. The wooden section of outer wall is actually the outer section of a central volume that creates an enlarged open space bisecting the home interior. The windows create a view corridor within the home that allows visitors to see all the way through to the back yard. Occupants of the home looking out through these windows feel as if they are sitting in the middle of a garden. This architectural theme of volume and line of site is so powerful that it became the inspiration for the modern landscape design we developed in the front, back, and side yards of the property. We began by addressing the issue of too much open space in the front yard. It has no surrounding fence, and it faces a very busy street in Houston’s Rice Village Area. After careful study of the home façade, our team determined that the best way to set aside a large portion of private space in front of the home was to construct a landscape berm. This land art form adds a sense of dimension and psychological boundary to the scene. It is built of core 10 steel and stands 16 inches tall. This is just high enough for guests to sit on, and it provides an ideal sunbathing area for summer days. The sweeping contour of the berm offsets the rigid linearity of the home with a softer architectural detail. Its linear progression gives the modern landscape design a dynamic sense of movement. Moving to the back yard, we reinforced the home’s central volume and view corridor by laying a rectilinear line of gravel parallel to an equivalent section of grass. Near the corner of the house, we created a series of gravel stepping pads that lead guests from the gravel run, through the grass, and into a vegetable garden. The heavy use of gravel does several things. It communicates a sense of control by containing the vitality of the lawn within an inorganic, mathematically precise space. This feeling of contained life force is common in modern landscape design. This also adds the functional advantage of a low-maintenance space where only minimal lawn care is needed. Gravel also has its own unique aesthetic appeal. Its dark color compliments both the grass and the house, providing an ideal lead-in to the space of the vegetable garden. This same rectilinear geometry was applied to the side yard, but the materials were reversed to add dramatic effect. Here, the field is gravel, and the stepping pads are made from grass. Heavy gauge steel planters were set into the gravel to house separate plantings of Zoysia. The pads run from the library to the kitchen, allowing visitors to travel between the two as if they are walking on a floor decorated with grass. The lawn in all three yards is planted with Zoysia grass. This species of grass is frequently used in modern landscape design because it requires only moderate amounts of water to retain its exceptionally fine texture. When mowed, it presents a clean, well-manicured lawn that compliments the conservatism of the home.

General Fireplace dimensions: 17'-4"H x 10'-6"W x 4'D Fireplace material: Tennessee Field Stone cut to an ashlar pattern with Granite Hearth and Mantel Kitchen dimensions: 5'4" in-between the columns, then around 12.75' along the back Structure paint color is Pittsburgh Paints Sun Proof Exterior "Monterrey Grey" Roof material: Standing seam copper Terrace material: Full color Pennsylvania Bluestone veneer on a concrete slab

Columnar evergreens provide a rhythmic structure to the flowing bluestone entry walk that terminates in a fountain courtyard. A soothing palette of green and white plantings keeps the space feeling lush and cool. Photo credit: Verdance Fine Garden Design

Inspiration for a contemporary galley kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, with island, white floor and black benchtop.

This is an example of a transitional sunroom in New York.

Design ideas for a beach style laundry room in Seattle.

Photo of a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, brown splashback, brick splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Mid-sized country backyard patio in Houston with an outdoor kitchen, brick pavers and a gazebo/cabana.

Photo of a transitional exterior in Chicago.

This modern home, near Cedar Lake, built in 1900, was originally a corner store. A massive conversion transformed the home into a spacious, multi-level residence in the 1990’s. However, the home’s lot was unusually steep and overgrown with vegetation. In addition, there were concerns about soil erosion and water intrusion to the house. The homeowners wanted to resolve these issues and create a much more useable outdoor area for family and pets. Castle, in conjunction with Field Outdoor Spaces, designed and built a large deck area in the back yard of the home, which includes a detached screen porch and a bar & grill area under a cedar pergola. The previous, small deck was demolished and the sliding door replaced with a window. A new glass sliding door was inserted along a perpendicular wall to connect the home’s interior kitchen to the backyard oasis. The screen house doors are made from six custom screen panels, attached to a top mount, soft-close track. Inside the screen porch, a patio heater allows the family to enjoy this space much of the year. Concrete was the material chosen for the outdoor countertops, to ensure it lasts several years in Minnesota’s always-changing climate. Trex decking was used throughout, along with red cedar porch, pergola and privacy lattice detailing. The front entry of the home was also updated to include a large, open porch with access to the newly landscaped yard. Cable railings from Loftus Iron add to the contemporary style of the home, including a gate feature at the top of the front steps to contain the family pets when they’re let out into the yard. Tour this project in person, September 28 – 29, during the 2019 Castle Home Tour!

The bold oranges and pinks catch the eye, but it's that deep blue that you just want to luxuriate in! The Original Endless Pool easily becomes the centerpiece of this stunning backyard. The pool's adjustable current lets you swim in place, exercise, or just relax. By installing this model partially in-ground, the coping (the perimeter edge) creates bench seating to soak your feet or enjoy it as a reflecting pond. It's perfect for everything from fitness to entertaining.

Rustic fire pit made of steel is placed within a stone circle, and set on crushed gravel. The area is backed up by a grapevine-covered trellis that holds a bench swing. A lime green painted adirondack chair and cobalt blue seating pillows add color accents.

Inspiration for a transitional 3/4 bathroom in Seattle with brown cabinets, an alcove tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a two-piece toilet, white tile, white walls, an integrated sink, a shower curtain, white benchtops and recessed-panel cabinets.

photo credit: David Gilbert
Design ideas for a traditional pool in New York.