hot tub with custom wooden enclosure
Design ideas for a backyard patio in Calgary with a water feature, gravel and a gazebo/cabana.

GTDM Photo
Inspiration for a small transitional courtyard patio in Houston with a water feature, no cover and gravel.

Inspiration for a large arts and crafts backyard patio in San Diego with a pergola, a water feature and gravel.

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.

Design ideas for a contemporary backyard patio in Phoenix with a water feature, gravel and no cover.

Gravel paths of pea stone lead to this rustic yet symmetrical patio. Double soldier course and a diagonal ribbon of reclaimed brick pavers nicely contrast the tightly jointed irregular limestone. Photo by: Linda Oyama Bryan

Aviary for a formal garden. The garden implements landscape node design. This garden has three nodes: Alley of the Planets and Arbor; Koi Pond with floating orbs: and Aviary node for tropical birds........ This garden is featured in the 2012 book: A GARDEN MAKES A HOUSE A HOME, by Elvin McDonald.

This gracious property in the award-winning Blaine school district - and just off the Southport Corridor - marries an old world European design sensibility with contemporary technologies and unique artisan details. With more than 5,200 square feet, the home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms on the second floor, including a luxurious master suite with a private terrace. The house also boasts a distinct foyer; formal living and dining rooms designed in an open-plan concept; an expansive, eat-in, gourmet kitchen which is open to the first floor great room; lower-level family room; an attached, heated, 2-½ car garage with roof deck; a penthouse den and roof deck; and two additional rooms on the lower level which could be used as bedrooms, home offices or exercise rooms. The home, designed with an extra-wide floorplan, achieved through side yard relief, also has considerable, professionally-landscaped outdoor living spaces. This brick and limestone residence has been designed with family-functional experiences and classically proportioned spaces in mind. Highly-efficient environmental technologies have been integrated into the design and construction and the plan also takes into consideration the incorporation of all types of advanced communications systems. The home went under contract in less than 45 days in 2011. Jim Yochum

We turned this old mill stone into a water feature and bird bath for one of our customers. We placed it just outside their living room window so they can enjoy the noise of the water and watch the birds play in the water.

Design ideas for a mid-sized tropical backyard patio in San Diego with a water feature and gravel.

Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard patio in Boise with a water feature, gravel and no cover.

JOSEF PÖTTER
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard patio in Other with a water feature and gravel.

Bridge floating over a 48 linear feet long pond connecting main entrance to driveway
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary courtyard patio in Toronto with a water feature, gravel and a pergola.

Water features can help turn your landscape into something special, providing a focal point and attracting wildlife. If done correctly, they can bring both beauty and very low maintenance into your backyard. Finding the right design that will fit with the existing look of your outdoor environment is key. We want your water features in Arizona to match the style and sophistication of your home and landscape.

Water features can help turn your landscape into something special, providing a focal point and attracting wildlife. If done correctly, they can bring both beauty and very low maintenance into your backyard. Finding the right design that will fit with the existing look of your outdoor environment is key. We want your water features in Arizona to match the style and sophistication of your home and landscape.

Adrián Gregorutti
Inspiration for a courtyard patio in San Francisco with a water feature, gravel and no cover.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard patio in San Francisco with a water feature, gravel and no cover.

hot tub with custom wooden enclosure
Photo of a backyard patio in Calgary with a water feature, gravel and a pergola.

Mid-sized contemporary backyard patio in San Francisco with a water feature, gravel and no cover.