Product: Authentic Limestone for Exterior Living Spaces. Ancient Surfaces Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com The design of external living spaces is known as the 'Al Fresco' design style as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates into 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a fully functional outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, BBQ, fireplace or Jacuzzi pool spa all out of old reclaimed Mediterranean stone pieces is no easy task and shouldn’t be created out of the lowest common denominator of building materials such as concrete, Indian slates or Turkish travertine. The one thing you can bet the farmhouse on is that when the entire process unravels and when your outdoor living space materializes from the architects rendering to real life, you will be guaranteed a true Mediterranean living experience if your choice of construction material was as authentic and possible to the Southern Mediterranean regions. We believe that the coziness of your surroundings brought about by the creative usage of our antique stone elements will only amplify that authenticity. whether you are enjoying a relaxing time soaking the sun inside one of our Jacuzzi spa stone fountains or sharing unforgettable memories with family and friends while baking your own pizzas in one of our outdoor BBQ pizza ovens, our stone designs will always evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that one only gets while being on vacation is some exotic European island surrounded with the pristine beauty of indigenous nature and ancient architecture...

Cold Springs Road Montecito Mediterranean Landscape

Natural Concepts Landscaping Contractors

Design ideas for a mediterranean garden in Santa Barbara.

Townhouse courtyard garden - Edgecliff Sydney

Vogue & Vine - Landscape Designers Sydney

We were called in to completely renovate this semi established garden in Edglecliff. We established further boundaries using buxus and brought in new plants to help bring the space a more contemporary and balanced feel.

Sylvanus Marston Mediterranean

Gabriela Yariv Landscape Design

Jennifer Cheung
This is an example of a large mediterranean front yard full sun driveway in Los Angeles with a water feature and gravel.

Riverfront Remodel

R.S. Walsh Landscaping, Inc.

One feature palm was salvaged when this seven year old Mediterranean style residence on the Caloosahatchee River underwent a complete landscape and hardscape remodel in the beginning of 2015. The landscape had not been properly maintained for a few years prior to when the new owners purchased in 2014, was overgrown and unhealthy and therefore was in need of a complete evaluation and landscape overhall. The original red brick concrete pavers were removed and replaced with a gold travertine blend with ivory travertine border for accent. The front entry stair was expanded and redesigned for a more significant and welcoming front door. The side yard had a significant slope from the foundation of the house to the seawall and had significant erosion damage. This space was re-graded, grading and drainage was repaired and re-routed and a 70 foot long retaining wall was installed. The retaining wall not only solved the stormwater washout problem, but also provided a level space for a private side yard tropical palm garden and pathway to access both the pool deck and the walk along the seawall. The stairs to the pool deck, dock and landing were all completely modified for ease of use. Aside from the tropical and beautiful landscape that was installed, the most significant visual and aesthetic improvement to this property was the addition of three 9 foot tall by 5 foot wide natural stone water walls with stone basins that were designed to fit within the archways at the driveway entry and designed to complement the architecture of the residence. These water walls offer ambient noise, visual interest and have completely improved the use and entry experience for the homeowner and visitors. Tropical shade bromeliads, alocasias, cordylines and ferns dress up the new landscape beds at the entry and along the front foundation where previously red brick intersected the foundation walls for a mundane solution. Other elements of interest include the cable wire espalier that was installed in front of the archway on both sides of the entry way for colorful bougainvillea trellis vine to climb and soften the tall walls and eventually connect over the arch. Confederate jasmine vine will soften the garage corner on the cable wire trellis installed and there is also a 4 foot wide by 18 foot tall cable wire espalier on a tall, once stark, wall on the pool deck. Three pool planters were reconfigured and planted with large triple princess palms and bold blue-tone pottery was selected to add interest and color to the pool deck. Micro-drip irrigation was connected to the pool planters and pottery for a low maintenance solution. This project was a collaborative effort with an ideal client who was open to all design ideas, who worked closely with the design team, and was a great success for both the client and R.S. Walsh Landscaping.

Carmel Hacienda

Carlson Design Group, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized mediterranean courtyard garden in Denver with a water feature.

Quaint Spanish Courtyard in Santa Barbara California

Santa Barbara Home Design

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Additional Work

Low Voltage Lighting

fountain lighting
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean courtyard partial sun formal garden in Los Angeles with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Wattle Park Project

Distinctive Gardens

A beautiful garden, designed and constructed in collaboration with Susie Nugent Garden Design. Our Wattle Park garden features Natural Bluestone Paving and crazypave pathways with Hewnstone Retaining walls, and a very colourful, textured planting scheme designed by Susie. This garden is a joy to visit, with it's fragrant informal garden beds, leading to a very structured, formal lawn area.

Palm Desert Golf Club Residence

Gary Fredricks Landscape Design

Mid-sized mediterranean courtyard garden in Los Angeles with a garden path.

Grape Trellis in Low Water Edible Lanscape

Good Earth Design

This Trellis was part of an edible landscaping project in Western Colorado. Features include full drip irrigation, emphasis on native and functional plants. Aaron Jerad

"Tuscan" style landscape design

Elizabeth McGreevy

This site had several issues. The most obvious was the never ending wind (this house is near the top of an exposed hill). The other issues were shallow bedrock, compacted "dirt" that wasn't allowing water to soak in, not enough useable outdoor entertaining space. There was an inherent awkwardness since the backyard was basically a side yard due to site orientation on a corner lot. The clients wanted privacy, a Tuscan style meets Texas Hill Country style garden with a water feature. To solve the issue of privacy and high winds, I designed two massed planting beds with layers of mostly evergreen, very drought tolerant plantings. We also added a low wall and gate at the entry to the main patio for extra privacy.

Santa Barbara Hope

Sesshu Design Associates, Ltd

Inspiration for a mediterranean garden in Santa Barbara with a water feature.

Hume

Wheat's Landscape

Mediterranean backyard formal garden in DC Metro with gravel.

Side Yard Makeover by Shirley Bovshow of EdenMakersBlog.com

Shirley Bovshow

Garden makeovers by Shirley Bovshow in Los Angeles.This was formerly an abandoned narrow side yard used only to store trash cans. Now it is a favorite garden stroll area for the homeowner. See the complete makeover: http://edenmakersblog.com/?p=893 Photo and design by Shirley Bovshow

Carmel House

Joni L. Janecki & Associates, Inc.

Lepere Studio
Design ideas for a mediterranean backyard garden in Other with natural stone pavers and a wood fence.

Old World Charm in the City

Glenna Partridge Garden Design

Design ideas for a large mediterranean side yard partial sun garden in Vancouver with natural stone pavers.

Let's go Mediterranean

Ravenscourt Landscaping and Design LLC

Ravenscourt Landscaping & Design LLC
Photo of a small mediterranean backyard partial sun xeriscape in Houston with a water feature and gravel.

Spanish Colonial Revival in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Home Design

Orinda Sports Complex & Carriage House

Young & Burton, Inc.

Design ideas for a mediterranean backyard outdoor sport court in San Francisco.

Mediterranean Black Garden Design Ideas

Get Inspired by Mediterranean Gardens on Houzz

A lot of the time when you get home from a long day at work, all you want to do is wind down. Where better to do this than in your very own Mediterranean garden at home? If you do it right, a great garden design can send you right into holiday mode. But where to start? There’s so many styles to choose from when it comes to garden design. Whether you want to create a tropical, modern, contemporary, beach style or country garden - or something else entirely - the large garden image gallery on Houzz has got you covered. Get inspired and collect your ideas to narrow down your desired garden style and features.

How to Create a Mediterranean Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a Mediterranean garden and if it’s appropriate for your climate. You may want to consider adding a deck or other landscaping features, but the plants you choose will mostly dictate your style and what kind of ongoing maintenance is required. Don’t worry if your backyard isn’t very spacious - there are many plants that can thrive even in a small space and allow you to turn your space into a little paradise of your own, regardless of size.

Decide which plants to use

The greenery you choose is critical to your look. For example, if you’re trying to create a tropical garden palm trees and bamboo are your go-to options. Other popular options are golden cane palm trees and fern for ground cover. From there you can add some colour with bright flowers like frangipani, hibiscus or bromeliads. All these are actually quite hardy plants, so once established, your tropical garden is actually quite easy to maintain. Use this structure and apply it to your style. Research which plants you need to set your base for a Mediterranean garden and go from there.

Add some decor

If the plants don’t quite do it for you yet, or if you want to add some extra wow-factor, consider adding some extra features. Even if you can’t accommodate a swimming pool, hot tub or pond, you could look at smaller water features. Simple rocks can also have a great effect, while statues and gnomes will add some extra character. Don’t forget to add some furniture so you have a nice place to sit and enjoy your garden!

Need some help?

Once you know what you want your garden to look like, it may be hard to make it a reality on your own. If that is the case for you, consider consulting a professional to help you with your Mediterranean garden design. Every photo you find on Houzz will lead you to the local pro that did the job, so you won’t have a problem picking the perfect person to help! Whether you need a gardener in Brisbane, a landscape architect in Melbourne or a fireplace installer in Sydney, you can be sure to find one on Houzz.