Tag Archives: patios

Possibilities in the Vosges, France

The home gets a bit better every year, as old fixtures give way to modern comforts, like hot water. Outside, the mill pond glistens, the choking vegetation removed, the mill races restored, even though there’s no mill. But… maybe it could be even better… This concept blocks access to the pond from the street, orContinue reading “Possibilities in the Vosges, France”

Annette goes digital. Sort of.

She’s now using an iPad, just the basic bit over 9″ display. It’s already hard to tell she didn’t draw these by hand! She’s using a simple pen with a tip that the iPad can recognize. Paying $100 for an Apple Pencil was not on her radar, especially since it doesn’t really help you learnContinue reading “Annette goes digital. Sort of.”

The plants are in!

Our project in Davis is coming along nicely as plants and irrigation fill in the design. Without the plants (and some other elements) it was much more stark – click here to see our last set of images. Next come the rest of the irrigation, then bark and lighting. Then it’s time to relax andContinue reading “The plants are in!”

A new landscape takes form in Davis

The concept was to have overlapping hardscape – concrete and flagstones – alternate with vegetation and water. This project is a remodel, so we wanted the new landscape to look as though it was designed with the pool. Sweeping curves nestle around the pool, leading the eye to a sitting area at the back ofContinue reading “A new landscape takes form in Davis”

New Concepts for a sloping front yard

The current synthetic deck is disintegrating, there’s not enough space for a table, and some excitement in the landscape will be welcome. This solution removes a major stairway (there’s an alternate path), clears out tall vegetation near the house and terraces the slope to extend the patio area, adding a (very) contemporary shade structure, aContinue reading “New Concepts for a sloping front yard”

Easy living outdoor spaces… and a “bigger” yard

If you think a yard is too small, it might be due to a lack of organization more than tininess. Linking spaces, opening up views and being generous with patios give more useable space, all fit inside the formerly too-small garden. Some of these things might be a bit controversial: the front path isn’t theContinue reading “Easy living outdoor spaces… and a “bigger” yard”

We’re in Hearth and Home magazine’s Outdoor Rooms special issue!

The Outdoor Room, a special issue showcasing exactly what it says: outdoor rooms. More specifically, outdoor rooms with cooking centers and fire features, mostly. Our design had a challenge that was rather unique: we had to maintain access to the garage, and the owners had to be able to park a car behind the patio.Continue reading “We’re in Hearth and Home magazine’s Outdoor Rooms special issue!”

6 tips for restaurants who are ready to reinvent their outdoor dining areas

You’ve spent a fair sum of money on your restaurant’s interior. What about outside? A great patio space can help your restaurant become a favorite during the many months when the weather is too nice to dine indoors. Here are six things to consider It’s not just seating. There should be some kind of POSContinue reading “6 tips for restaurants who are ready to reinvent their outdoor dining areas”