A Palm Springs inspired, arid garden provides a beautiful backdrop to this stunning modern home by Latitude 37 Homes. The courtyard swimming pool is wrapped on all sides by the home with large window walls providing views at every angle. Succulents provide accent against the pavement and boundary walls.

Photo of a large contemporary courtyard patio in Denver with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and no cover.

Photo of a small traditional courtyard rectangular pool in Houston with a water feature and tile.

Photo by Linda Oyama Bryan
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional courtyard shaded driveway for spring in Chicago with brick pavers.

View from under the beech tree, back down the brick walk, to the side entrance and bluestone patio.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional courtyard full sun formal garden in Boston with brick pavers.

Our clients on this project were inspired by their travels to Asia and wanted to mimic this aesthetic at their DC property. We designed a water feature that effectively masks adjacent traffic noise and maintains a small footprint.

Inspiration for a mediterranean courtyard patio in Orange County with a water feature, tile and no cover.

A cluster of pots can soften what might otherwise be severe architecture - plus add a pop of color. Photo Credit: Mark Pinkerton, vi360
Inspiration for a large mediterranean courtyard patio in San Francisco with brick pavers and a roof extension.

Architect: Tim Brown Architecture. Photographer: Casey Fry
Photo of a large country courtyard partial sun xeriscape in Austin with gravel.

Design ideas for a mediterranean courtyard patio in London with a fire feature and no cover.

Photo of a mid-sized tropical courtyard shaded garden in Hawaii with natural stone pavers.

© Arnaud RINUCCINI
Photo of a small country courtyard patio in Dijon with no cover and concrete slab.

Designed By: Richard Bustos Photos By: Jeri Koegel Ron and Kathy Chaisson have lived in many homes throughout Orange County, including three homes on the Balboa Peninsula and one at Pelican Crest. But when the “kind of retired” couple, as they describe their current status, decided to finally build their ultimate dream house in the flower streets of Corona del Mar, they opted not to skimp on the amenities. “We wanted this house to have the features of a resort,” says Ron. “So we designed it to have a pool on the roof, five patios, a spa, a gym, water walls in the courtyard, fire-pits and steam showers.” To bring that five-star level of luxury to their newly constructed home, the couple enlisted Orange County’s top talent, including our very own rock star design consultant Richard Bustos, who worked alongside interior designer Trish Steel and Patterson Custom Homes as well as Brandon Architects. Together the team created a 4,500 square-foot, five-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bathroom contemporary house where R&R get top billing in almost every room. Two stories tall and with lots of open spaces, it manages to feel spacious despite its narrow location. And from its third floor patio, it boasts panoramic ocean views. “Overall we wanted this to be contemporary, but we also wanted it to feel warm,” says Ron. Key to creating that look was Richard, who selected the primary pieces from our extensive portfolio of top-quality furnishings. Richard also focused on clean lines and neutral colors to achieve the couple’s modern aesthetic, while allowing both the home’s gorgeous views and Kathy’s art to take center stage. As for that mahogany-lined elevator? “It’s a requirement,” states Ron. “With three levels, and lots of entertaining, we need that elevator for keeping the bar stocked up at the cabana, and for our big barbecue parties.” He adds, “my wife wears high heels a lot of the time, so riding the elevator instead of taking the stairs makes life that much better for her.”

This is an example of a contemporary courtyard patio in London with no cover.

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Photo by John Merkl
Design ideas for a mid-sized mediterranean courtyard patio in San Francisco with a roof extension.

Photos by Katrine Mardini
Design ideas for a contemporary courtyard patio in Sydney.

This cozy courtyard was made for entertaining. Featuring a charcoal palette, this outdoor space embraces natural wood tones and textures throughout and throws of color through florals. Whether in the morning for a cup of tea or in the evening for drinks, this beautiful outdoor space is more than welcoming.

Large modern courtyard partial sun driveway in Tampa with a water feature and concrete pavers for summer.