Originally designed by one of the most notable landscape architects in town, this once impressive project had faltered in recent years. The pool and spa still functioned well, and the client wanted to keep it intact. In addition, they wanted to keep as much of the existing landscaping as possible. The surrounding decks, walls, and steps were fair game. At first glance, one might think that our changes were simple material changes. Upon closer inspection, however, one can see the subtle, yet transformative changes that come together to update this classic pool in a tasteful, timeless manner, and improve the flow and usability of the deck areas, while softening the feel of the massive hardscape. The subtle changes begin as soon as you walk out the back door of the house. The existing decking had a lot of what we call “tweeners”; areas that are overly generous walkways, yet not large enough to house furniture. The awkwardly small bluestone patio was expanded to accommodate a generous seating area, by pushing the step-down closer to the pool. Our talented stone mason carefully married the new bluestone into the existing, resulting in an imperceptible difference between the two. As you descend the new bluestone steps to the pool level, your bare feet will be thankful for the new smooth-finished limestone colored concrete, with a hand cut pattern carefully etched into its surface. The old red brick decking was so hot that the owners could not walk around the pool in bare feet. The brick coping was also replaced with an eased edge Pennsylvania Premier Stone which matches the new step treads throughout the project. Between the house and the pool, a large raised planter was reconfigured, giving additional space to the pool deck for a shaded lounge chair area. Across the pool, a bank of rather tall painted brick retaining walls were cut down, shortened, and moved. This lessened the visual impact of the walls, which were rather overwhelming in the space, as well as opening up a new seating area, nestled under the arms of the massive pecan at the back of the property. Rather than continuing solid decking around the entire pool, the area near these walls has been transformed to large stone stepper pads set in a sea of beautiful St. Augustine lawn. This creates a visually softened area that is still suited to setting tables and chairs when the guest list calls for additional seating. The spa area is quite possibly the most dramatic change on this project. Yet more raised planter walls divided this area into awkward spaces, unsuited to proper furniture placement. The planters were removed, new stone decks, once again expertly married into the existing, opening the area to house a large dining table and new built in bbq area. The spa itself was re-imagined with the bluestone coping, and painted brick veneer. The most impressive addition though is the new handmade glazed tiles that surround the existing cast stone water feature. This water feature was almost unnoticeable against the painted brick wall, but now the dramatic arch and pop of color draw the eye to this quaint little corner of the property.

Joe Kwon Photography
シカゴにあるトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれな縁側・ポーチ (天然石敷き、張り出し屋根) の写真

David Winger
デンバーにあるラグジュアリーな広い、夏のモダンスタイルのおしゃれな庭 (日向、コンクリート敷き 、庭石) の写真

Overview from guest wing of home. The patio area is surrounded with grasses and masses of perennials just starting to take on their autumn color changes.

Lush back garden planting, with flowering perennials, grasses and evergreen ground covers. The tree is a mature Amelanchier (Serviceberry). A large boulder that was found on site sits in a bed of Irish Moss (Sagina) and Japanese Acorus Grass.

This view of this Chicago rooftop deck from the guest bedroom. The cedar pergola is lit up at night underneath. On top of the pergola is live roof material which provide shade and beauty from above. The walls are sleek and contemporary using two three materials. Cedar, steel, and frosted acrylic panels. The modern rooftop is on a garage in wicker park. The decking on the rooftop is composite and built over a frame. Roof has irrigation system to water all plants. Bradley Foto, Chris Bradley

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).

シアトルにあるトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれなテラス・中庭 (ファイヤーピット) の写真

Paver fire pit patio has plenty of seating with carefully-placed limestone boulders. The living room space flows to the grilling/dining areas. Peaceful, private, quiet.

This window box was featured in Yankee Magazine
ボストンにあるトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれな庭 (コンテナガーデン) の写真

アトランタにあるおしゃれなテラス・中庭の写真

シカゴにあるカントリー風のおしゃれなテラス・中庭の写真

トロントにあるおしゃれなテラス・中庭の写真

Screen porch off of the dining room
マンチェスターにあるビーチスタイルのおしゃれな縁側・ポーチ (デッキ材舗装、張り出し屋根、網戸付きポーチ) の写真

他の地域にあるビーチスタイルのおしゃれな庭の写真

Jetted lap pool is elevated within a Ipe (Ironwood) deck, adjacent to master bedroom. Photo by Lara Swimmer
シアトルにある広いミッドセンチュリースタイルのおしゃれなプール (コンクリート板舗装 ) の写真

ナッシュビルにあるラグジュアリーな広い、春のシャビーシック調のおしゃれな裏庭 (ファイヤーピット、日向、川石舗装、ウッドフェンス) の写真

The bluestone dining area has a custom cedar pergola overhead with built-in downlighting. Beach pebble runnels help to visually separate the outdoor rooms of the patio and slate chip in some of the plant beds adds a Zen aspect to the design.

This fountain is a great addition to a front yard entry. Clean and simple with a subtle water noise for visual and auditory interest. The fountain is surrounded by boxwood hedges, Mexican Beach cobble, and white precast concrete.