Outdoor Christmas Lights and Decorations

Sourced content from: https://weirdchristmas.tumblr.com/post/728536874792140800

“<blah blah etc> elves <something about evolution>” – Terrence McKenna

(Don’t hate, I love the man. But you gotta admit…)

Sourced content from: https://www.home-designing.com/enviable-modern-interiors-with-rustic-undertones

These two awe-inspiring compositions effortlessly intertwine modern aesthetics with the comforting embrace of rustic elements, setting a fresh benchmark for enviable living spaces. Our first featured home embraces a natural aesthetic with a harmonious blend of rich wood, tactile stone, and lush indoor plants, creating a captivating ambiance that flows seamlessly into the character-filled bedroom and unique bathroom design. The second home enchants with a chic modern rustic living space, complete with a decorative wood store and an atmospherically lit terrarium that infuses the setting with a magical glow. With their interplay of rustic elements and modern luxury, these designs present deeply immersive environments that spill over with high-end charm.

Designer: Esmael Abdelhamed  

A dual-height TV wall makes an immediate and lasting impact in our first modern rustic living space. Its smooth travertine tower is flanked by bespoke display shelving and curated handmade knick-knacks. A sectional sofa divides the open-plan layout.

A matching travertine hearth underscores the stone chimney breast. An upholstered bench rolls out a soft green accent in front.

Two wood-framed lounge chairs construct a relaxed aesthetic on one side of the lounge. They divide the open-plan seating area from the neighboring dining space. Rich wood sections cross vast living room windows, delivering a dark, rustic border.

A mezzanine level extrudes into the upper volume of the lofty living space. Layers of smooth stucco, raw wood, and sleek tinted glass build a textural vision.

A modern rustic staircase design climbs the rear of the large living space. Rugged wooden treads are suspended in front of a tactile wall treatment. A small courtyard thrives underneath the ascent.

Upholstered dining chairs bring a moss-green accent into the formal dining space. A white marble dining table provides light contrast.

The understair courtyard grows a pleasant vista for the dining area.

Three large dining room pendant lights spread a natural rattan element above the full length of the impressive dining table.

Modern fruit bowls are stacked at each end of the lengthy table to create simple wooden centerpieces.

Three more wicker pendant lights illuminate an attractive travertine kitchen island, which curves gracefully at either end.

Wooden bar stools fashion a casual breakfast bar at the kitchen island.

Kitchen cabinets are finished to echo the light and tranquil quality of the travertine island. A stone backsplash melts into the matching limestone countertop.

Inside the master bedroom, stone panels and wood-slatted counterparts build a textural headboard feature wall. An assortment of throw pillows style the inviting bed set.

A unique bedroom pendant light hangs above a linear bedside table, succinctly adorned with a chic decorative bowl.

A cozy bedroom chair is teamed with an olive tree beside the window, fashioning an inviting spot for relaxing with a morning coffee or a good book.

The bathroom is enlivened with an attention-grabbing green marble vanity unit. A freeform bathroom mirror adds an organic silhouette.

Visualizer: Loak Design Studio  

Our second featured home interior is located in Egypt. In this modern rustic abode, a modern fireplace blazes beneath a fluted stone chimney breast and TV mount. A round coffee table places a rich wood accent down in front of the firelight.

Two picture windows flank the modern fireplace with views of the great wilderness. A wooden ceiling treatment caps the luxury living space with a cozy aesthetic.

Large planter pots are scattered about the home, delivering a rustic, handmade essence and intricate patterns.

A bespoke floor-to-ceiling terrarium is atmospherically lit, delivering a magical glow to the living space.

The sitting area is neatly sunken between the entryway and a formal dining area. The dining room is a social space, designed for entertaining guests. A backlit bar area shines through wood-slatted doors.

Wooden dining chairs feature plump, upholstered seats where guests are comfortable to linger and talk the night away. A modern travertine dining table delivers a slice of luxury and an enormous dining room pendant light drops in undeniable grandeur.

The kitchen peninsula doubles as an informal dining spot. Wooden kitchen bar stools seat up to three people at the breakfast bar.

A travertine slab overlays the wooden bar top to support an electric hob and food prep. Matching stone countertops and upstands travel around the remainder of the U-shaped kitchen installation to achieve a smooth cohesive look.

Kitchen wall cabinets camouflage with the beige lime-washed walls to minimize their impact on the compact space. Open kitchen shelves display a few decorative vases and bowls to create a homely effect.

A pair of rattan pendant lights drop a bold textural element over the dining bar.

A 3D relief headboard wall creates a mesmerizing effect in the bedroom. Wooden stools offer a simple but stylish solution as bedside tables.

Unique wall sconces extrude from the stucco headboard, completing a unified design. A deep green bed set injects uplifting color into the room, which pays complement to the earthy brown elements in the scheme.

A wooden floor lamp coordinates with the rustic nightstands and a rich wooden frame around a glass-walled ensuite bathroom.

A white marble bathtub is showcased behind the glass.

At the foot of the bed, a wide archway sinks into the beige perimeter. The pleasing nook houses a wall-mounted TV and a practical bedroom workspace. A custom-made wooden desk crosses the full width of the alcove to form a media shelf below the television.

Recommended Reading:  Modern Rustic Interiors & Contemporary Country House Charm

Related Posts:

• 51 Modern Houses That Impress With Stunning Architecture, Pools & Landscaping
• 57 Rustic Furniture Ideas for Countryside-Inspired Interior Themes
• 2 Rustic Interiors With A Cool Nomadic Style
• Modern Rustic Interiors & Contemporary Country House Charm

Sourced content from: https://www.domino.com/style-shopping/bobby-berk-book-right-at-home/

Photography by Ivan Solis.

Bobby Berk was 5 years old when he first learned that the way his home looked could change how he felt. After picking out a blue-toned dinosaur poster from a local crafts store, the interior designer and Queer Eye star decided he wanted matching bedsheets and curtains for his room—ditching the old red bedspread and window treatments. The soothing, tonal palette instantly boosted his mood. “To this day, my mom still talks about how I had carefully explained to her that the red made me anxious but the blue made me feel good. I didn’t know why, I didn’t know how—I just knew it did,” Berk writes in Right at Home: How Good Design Is Good for the Mind, out today. 

Berk’s debut book is centered around how design affects our mental health and how we can create spaces that allow us to better our lives, outlook, and habits. Even when he was living out of his car as a teenager in Missouri, Berk sought to create a space that was as safe and calming as it could be. “In every other aspect of my life at that time, there was zero control, so I made sure I kept that space tidy,” he shares. In this Q&A with Berk, he recalls parts of his own journey bettering his mental health by utilizing the power of design.

In the book, you mention designing a home for where you want to go. What is your earliest memory of doing that for yourself? 

I had my own apartment probably by 16 1/2, maybe 17. I was technically still a kid, but I had to get in the mindset that I was an adult. Setting up my space to feel like the apartment of a grown-up was very important, and going into debt at Fingerhut is how an adult sets up their house [I told myself]. I understood that setting up your space to be the person you want to be has a huge effect on your mental direction and where you can go. 

You talk about feeling a sense of calm that first night in your first apartment as you crawled under your sheets. What acts or routines give you that same feeling today? 

When you’re homeless, that small act of just getting in bed is something that you learn not to take for granted. Every once in a while, I lay awake and think about how I’m very lucky to have that ritual of being able to feel safe; I can close my eyes, put my head on my pillow, and wake up the next morning when I want to wake up and nothing’s going to be wrong. Then getting up and playing with my dog is a big ritual for me. 

Are there any areas in your home that you’re currently struggling with? 

[My husband and I] are getting ready to start a whole gut renovation. I say this nervously laughing because I’m not looking forward to it. I’m always in the middle of a renovation or project for a client, and my home is the one that gets put on the back burner. We bought this house three years ago with plans to do a reno right away, and here we are, still nine months out from starting it because I keep procrastinating. I can make decisions all day long for clients, but to pick a tile for my own bathroom is debilitating.

“Clear your space, clear your mind” is a mantra of yours. What is your favorite area of the home to organize?  

I always make the joke that an organized medicine cabinet can prevent road rage. Think about it: There’s all these lotions you haven’t used and expired prescriptions—you want to put one more thing in there but it just doesn’t fit. You keep telling yourself, ‘Oh, I’m going to throw all this out,’ but you don’t. And then one day you get a beautiful new La Mer face cream and you open up your cabinet and it falls out in the sink and it breaks, all because you didn’t organize it. By the time you’re on your way to work and that person cuts you off, you’re already at your wit’s end. 

The bathroom is the space you start your day in but also end your day in. When you’re needing to condition your mind for sleep, it can cultivate that, which is really important. If there’s only one space a day that you can devote your time to, it’s here (and it literally takes 60 seconds sometimes). 

What is an easy way to break a bad habit at home? 

There have been times when I haven’t always hung my clothes up when I get home (because I’m like: “Oh, this isn’t quite dirty yet”), so I lay them on a chair. But when I went out and bought all new matching hangers, it motivated me to put things away. My closet looks so nice and orderly with them, and it makes me want to keep it that way. 

Are there any design decisions that you made in previous homes that made you unhappy?

There’s never anything wrong in design because (a) it’s a personal choice that makes you happy or (b) it’s something that can always be changed. But there have definitely been times where I painted a wall a color, and a week—or month—later, I’m like, “This needs to go.” Everything is a moment to learn and grow. Even if you do make a design mistake (hopefully it’s not one that costs you a lot of money), don’t just live with it. Say, “Let me try something different.”

The post Bobby Berk’s 60-Second Bathroom Organizing Trick Can Make You Less Rage-y appeared first on domino.

Sourced content from: https://weirdchristmas.tumblr.com/post/727624851038306304

Still…

Sourced content from: https://www.domino.com/renovation/hood-canal-vacation-home-renovation/

When Washington-based designer Allison Lind browses Zillow, she’ll scroll right past anything that looks turnkey. It doesn’t grab her attention. “But if it’s crumbling and it looks like it might be haunted, I get so excited,” she says. Her heart started racing back in 2020 when she spotted an overgrown property on Puget Sound that was covered in blackberry bramble and had around 40 chopped-down stumps. Inside, the circa-1940 house had been half-gutted—the studs and the subfloor exposed—and it was layered with debris. “We’re talking moldy walls, mountains of garbage, and spiders galore,” recalls Lind. But three acres on the water was practically unheard of, so she and her husband put an offer in on the vacation home ASAP and rang up Seattle’s top home inspector to come out and do a deep dive. The structure was great, he told them, but it needed love.

Because the home was seemingly deserted for so long, Lind didn’t attempt to bring the space back to its original glory. Instead, she went rogue and brought in graphic tile, glamorous lighting, and black trim paint. “This was going to be our fun family beach house. So why spend all this time and money to turn it into something that wasn’t exactly what we wanted it to be?” she shares. To help fund the renovation, Lind and her family listed their then-current beach house (also located along the Hood Canal) on Airbnb. Ahead, she reveals what went down once she was able to turn her Zillow fantasies into reality. 

Follow Your Backsplash Gut

A favorite moment for Lind on any project is when someone (especially the contractor) tells her, “I don’t get it.” In this case, the designer got confused looks when she decided to cover the wall space above the kitchen backsplash tile in tambour wood—and while she was at it, wrap the vent hood in it, too.

The material combo gives the illusion that the extra-low ceilings are much taller than they really are, and it helps the protruding vent hood disappear in the small space. 

Don’t Sweat Transitions

With two kids and big dogs in the house, new luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring was a must-have. The problem was, by the time Lind got around to covering the entryway and the steps leading into the sunken lounge, she realized they were low on boards, and the maker had discontinued the product. Buying different LVP boards wasn’t an option—they’d never perfectly match. A supergraphic tile was the only reasonable solution, Lind thought. Rather than try to disguise the awkward transition, she fully embraced it and swathed the area in a swirly black and white pattern. 

Consider Overlooked Woods

The walls and ceiling in the sunken lounge area are paneled in Iroko wood, a super-durable, rot-resistant species from Africa that is sometimes used as a substitute for genuine (and much more costly) teak. Its natural golden, medium-brown tone plays nicely with the groovy tile choice, giving the space a 1970s vibe. 

Bring Back Ceiling Medallions

While salvaging original details from the home was impossible, Lind brought back some of the home’s mid-century charm in small ways, like by adding medallions around the dining room chandelier and breakfast nook pendant lamp. “Although we didn’t want to make this a traditional home, I wanted to blend those worlds,” she says. She stuck to her unique perspective when choosing the fixtures themselves. The one over the main dining table reminded her of a wind chime, which felt fitting to have near the big windows overlooking the water. 

Turn Any Awkward Nook Into Storage

One of the biggest updates they made to the house was adding a full bathroom to the second floor. “We’re not climbing the stairs in the middle of the night with two children who are potty training,” she says with a laugh. An unused nook near the top of the landing was the natural spot to build one out. The area was long and narrow, which was great because it fit a 60-inch-long tub-shower, but not ideal when Lind realized there would be an awkward 2-foot gap at the end of the room. Cue a toy cabinet. The small cubby that now holds her kids’ bath-time essentials doesn’t block the view of the window and is waterproof. 

Splurge on Dormers So Others Can Sleep Well

By expanding each of the bedrooms by adding dormers, Lind maximized sleeping opportunities for her family and for guests. In the kids’ space, this meant being able to add a twin XL daybed in one corner (“It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset,” she notes) and a house-inspired bunk in the other. “We took the extra time and money to move the footprint around ever so slightly and it made a huge difference,” says the designer.

The post This ’40s Fixer-Upper Went From “Moldy Walls and Mountains of Garbage” to Spacious and Groovy appeared first on domino.

Sourced content from: https://www.homedit.com/waste-disposal/construction-debris/drywall-recycling/

Drywall recycling is not a common practice throughout the building industry even though it is one of the most used construction products. Over 15 million tons of drywall scraps end up in landfills in the United States every year. Thankfully, this is not the only viable option for drywall scraps. Many options for recycling drywall have gained prominence over the years as environmental concerns and resource conservation have become increasingly vital.

The innovative practice of recycling drywall scraps and other drywall waste involves repurposing and reusing the core gypsum material. This process diverts the drywall from landfills and forms it into valuable resources and materials. This practice not only minimizes waste but contributes to a more eco-conscious approach to building and renovation.

What is Drywall Recycling?

Drywall recycling is a process that includes collecting, processing, and reusing or repurposing gypsum-based drywall waste. This waste is produced during numerous projects like construction, renovation, or demolition. Gypsum, a naturally occurring mineral, is the most common product that is recycled from old drywall or drywall scraps.

The main goal of recycling drywall is to save the gypsum in the core, which is a product that is forever recyclable. This is one of the few construction products that can create a fully closed-loop recycling system. To achieve this, a standard system of quality control for end-products must be developed to ensure that it meets the quality standards of drywall manufacturers and other industries that utilize the recovered gypsum. Today, no such industry standards exist, making manufacturers hesitant about accepting recovered gypsum.

Importance of Drywall Recycling

Gypsum is a valuable material that can be diverted away from landfills and used in more productive ways. One of the most important reasons for recycling drywall is to reduce the amount of mining for primary ingredients to create new products. Recycling drywall saves energy and saves valuable natural resources. Recycling also reduces the amount of drywall waste in landfills. This waste takes up space in the landfill and releases hydrogen sulfide and methane gas into the air. These gasses have an unpleasant odor of rotten eggs and are toxic.

Steps in Drywall Recycling

The process of drywall recycling is a multi-step process that typically includes the following steps.

1. Collection

The collection of drywall waste from construction and demolition sites is a crucial step where the drywall waste is assessed, separated, packaged, and transported to a recycling facility. This step requires a systematized process to ensure the safe and efficient processing and handling of drywall pieces. The goal of this part of the process is to minimize contamination and maximize the amount of drywall being recycled.

2. Sorting and separation

During this step, the drywall pieces are examined at the recycling facility to sort and remove any contaminants that remain among the drywall pieces. This step is necessary because even though there is an initial sorting at the job site, this is just a cursory examination.

A more thorough process will remove small items like nails, screws, and insulation particles. These recycling sites have specialized equipment and people with expertise to perform detailed inspections. These will ensure that the gypsum is pure from contaminants and that it meets industry requirements.

3. Grinding or pulverizing

During this step, the gypsum is transformed from a waste product into a product that is valuable. Drywall scraps are crushed and shredded and then ground to reduce the size of the particles. The desired particle size depends on the intended end-use of the recycled gypsum. In some cases, the gypsum particles will undergo sieving and screening. This process can separate any remaining contaminants and oversized particles.

4. Quality control

Quality control of the gypsum particles assesses the purity and composition of the pulverized gypsum. This is crucial in assuring manufacturers that the gypsum is up to industry standards. One of the primary methods for quality control is chemical analysis. Samples of the gypsum powder are tested to ensure that it has a high level of calcium sulfate dihydrate. They further test to determine if there are any microscopic impurities, to test that the moisture levels fall within acceptable ranges, and to quantify the particle size distribution.

5. Reusing and repurposing

This step involves creating products from recycled and processed gypsum. The gypsum powder is transformed into valuable products and used in numerous applications. Reusing and repurposing are essential in maximizing the environmental benefits of drywall recycling. This process also contains a research and development arm to discover new ways to reuse old drywall and efforts to expand the market to broaden the appeal of these products.

Products from Recycled Drywall

Recycled drywall can be utilized to create numerous materials that help to reduce its environmental impact and create revenue to support local economies.

• Drywall sheets – Only 5% of drywall sheets in the United States today use recycled gypsum powder to form new drywall sheets. Yet, manufacturers can use recycled gypsum endlessly to create new drywall, reducing the need to obtain new gypsum.
• Soil amendments – Gypsum is a valuable mineral for amending soil. It adds important nutrients like calcium and sulfur to the soil, helps to improve water retention, and reduces the impact of salt in saline soils.
• Cement and concrete additives – Gypsum is a common additive in cement and concrete. It helps to extend the rate of hydration and setting time. This ensures a stronger and better quality cement or concrete product.
• Construction products – Recycled drywall scraps and gypsum are valuable in many construction processes. It can be used to create gypsum-based plaster, joint compounds, and non-structural building components.
• Industrial applications – Gypsum is a vital component in industrial products like ceramics, and glass and in the production of plastic and paper.
• Gypsum blocks – Gypsum blocks used to be a common construction material in the USA but are no longer produced or widely used. In Europe, gypsum blocks are highly popular due to their low emissions of VOCs. Researchers at Washington State University have used drywall waste to create a new construction block from 80% recycled waste. These blocks are waterproof and lighter than similar blocks like earth blocks, bricks, or concrete blocks. These blocks have not been cleared for construction use yet, but this process will hopefully renew interest in gypsum blocks in the United States.
• Ceiling tiles – Some recycled drywall products are useful in creating ceiling tiles that are common in commercial and residential buildings.
• Molded products – Recycled drywall products can be shaped into usable forms for specialized applications such as decorative architectural elements or soundproofing products.
• Soil erosion control – Recycled gypsum is useful in creating erosion control products such as erosion blankets and sediment control logs.

Difficulty in Recycling Drywall

Recycling drywall is not as common or easy in the United States as it should be, though recent efforts in the public and government sectors are increasing pressure to make it more available. States and municipalities differ across the United States in terms of drywall recycling. In many areas, only new drywall scraps can be recycled. Check with your local recycling center to see if they take drywall scraps, both new and used. They may not do this as a part of your regular service but you may be able to schedule a special pick-up. Habitat for Humanity is another group that takes unused drywall.

There are also certain companies that provide used drywall recycling in select states. USA Gypsum recycles used drywall. It is located in Pennsylvania but serves nine different states. Urban Gypsum is in Oregon. Both of these companies provide drywall recycling for contractors and are not open to the public. One company open to the public is GreenWaste Zanker Resource Recovery Facility in California. Check with online search tools to see if there are any drywall recycling companies in your area. Many of these are located in the Pacific Northwest and California.

The post Drywall Recycling: Reducing Environmental Impact? appeared first on Homedit.

Sourced content from: https://www.homedit.com/woodworking-plans/free-swing-set-plans/

Keep your kids busy with one of these free DIY swing set plans. In many cases, building your own is less expensive and more sturdy than purchasing a packaged swing set. We’ve included ten plans that range from simple a-frames with swings to more elaborate playgrounds.

1. Easiest Two-Post Swing Set Plan

Those wanting a basic swing set will appreciate this easy-to-follow tutorial from My Outdoor Plans. The plan covers the material and tool list, how to anchor the posts and the assembly instructions.

If you have beginner woodworking experience, this swing set is a good starting point. Later, you can add more features, like an attached playhouse or slide.

2. DIY Wooden Swing Set with Rock Wall

Use this plan from Dunn Lumber to build a sturdy swing set and customize the wall, spacing the climbing rocks to fit your child’s height.

To keep the playset in good condition, Dunn Lumber suggests using pressure-treated wood coated in a water-repellant.

3. Simple but Sturdy, Wooden A-frame Swing Set

If sturdy construction matters to you, this free swing set plan has you covered. It features pressure-treated pine beams and is 11 feet high, 13 feet wide, and 13 feet deep. It’s large enough to fit three swings or accessories.

The tutorial from AdiemFamily includes a material and tool list and step-by-step assembly instructions.

4. Clubhouse Playset Plan

Those who value aesthetics and function will appreciate this clubhouse playset plan from Her Tool Belt. The playhouse has a cottage look with a spiral slide, rock wall, swing sets, and two levels of playhouse area.

You can find the PDF plans for this set on Ryobi. Make it your own by customizing the paint color, shutters, and roof.

5. Deluxe DIY Swing Set with Two Playhouses and a Slide

If you’re looking for a big project, consider a deluxe backyard playground. My Outdoor Plans provides the tutorial for this double playhouse, slide, and swingset. Since it’s large and expensive, it’s best suited for those with prior woodworking and construction experience.

The online plans are extensive and include a material list. You’ll need to pay a small fee if you want PDF plans.

6. Free Swing Set Plan

Ana White provides a swing set plan you can use as an extension to your playset or as a freestanding model. She also has separate tutorials for a playhouse, which you could add on if desired.

These free swing set plans include a shopping list, tool list, and photographic step-by-step instructions.

7. Vibrant DIY Outdoor Playground

Add some color to your playground by painting accent pieces like in this example from The DIY Plan. The playset has a tidy look and includes swings, a slide, a rock wall, and a built-in picnic table.

The tutorial uses diagrams to illustrate the construction steps and comes with a material list.

8. Inexpensive Do It Yourself Swing Set

You can build this swing set from Create and Find for about $300 – $400. It features A-frame support and provides enough length for three swings or accessories.

The posts and beams in this swing set are heavy, so recruit help before attempting this build. The tutorial will walk you through all the cuts and assembly steps.

9. Outdoor Playground Build

If your kids beg to go to the park, make them one of their own with this backyard playground plan. The playset features a slide, clubhouse, rock wall, and multiple swings.

The builders, Kenarry, started with a playset kit and customized it for sturdiness. They provide details on their blog.

10. DIY Swing Set with Slide

Build your kids a simple playhouse swing set equipped with a slide using this tutorial from Instructables. The lumber costs are about $1,000, and the support and framing instructions are in the post.

You can customize this swing set, adding any swing or accessory that fits.

The post 10 Free Swing Set Plans to Transform Your Backyard appeared first on Homedit.

Sourced content from: https://www.home-designing.com/backyard-landscaping-design-ideas-tips-photos-inspiration

Dreaming of transforming your backyard into a personal oasis? Look no further than our comprehensive guide to 51 backyard landscaping ideas that will expand and enrich life at home. Whether you have a spacious yard or cozy patio, this collection has something for everyone. Discover creative ways to maximize your outdoor space, from functional outdoor dining rooms and living spaces to soothing water features and irresistible swimming pools. We’ll explore the latest trends in landscaping, outdoor furniture, and lighting to help you create a sanctuary that suits your lifestyle. Get ready to unlock the full potential of your backyard, turning it into a haven for relaxation, entertaining, and connecting with nature.

Visualizer: Harrison Landscaping  

This modestly sized backyard features a compact swimming pool design and a whimsical swing area for the kids. A soft lawn gives the children room to roll around and enjoy a picnic.

Visualizer: Victor Reuther  

Contemporary architecture calls for a sleek and stylish backyard. This sharp, modern exterior includes a swimming pool with a sun shelf.

Designer: Lucas & Lucas  

Don’t forget to set the soundtrack for your tranquil garden oasis. Install a modern water feature to hear the soothing rush of water while you sip on a mojito and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Source: Gubi  

A naturalistic pool design fits right into the meandering landscape that surrounds this elegant home design. A couple of comfortable chairs and a small coffee table are placed alongside to create a cute conversation area.

Designer: John Davies Landscape  

Even small waterways have a transformative impact on the landscape. This brief water feature is speckled with lily pads, building a pretty pause in the pebbled floor.

Designer: Lucas & Lucas  

Tiered terraces can be a challenge but constraints breed creativity. Work with your stepped terrain to create a cascading water feature that complements the steep ascent.

Designer: Lisa Kaplan Design  

These built-in borders offer another attractive solution for sloped topography. Their clean-cut concrete sides echo the modern architecture of the home, while the pristine topiary sculpts a beautiful vista.

Designer: Anthony Paul  

Discover the sunniest spot in your backyard, then install an outdoor deck to set the stage for hours of entertaining or relaxation. Be sure to add a parasol for when the sun is at its most fierce.

Designer: Grounded Landscape Architecture  

Break up long, narrow backyard layouts with an assortment of paving slabs. Use different stones and sizes to distract the eye from the corridor-like constraints.

Designer: Arterra SF  

Look at modern, linear patterns to inspire a striking patio design with personality. Soften the hard outline with soft grasses and bushy shrubs.

Designer: Jonathan Raith Inc.  

Why not use your outdoor space as an extension of your pantry? Construct a raised vegetable patch and grow rows of your favorite and most purchased foods.

Designer: Michael Lumby Architecture + Nielsen Jenkins  

Meld an outdoor dining area with a concrete terrace by choosing a concrete table and a custom bench. Tall grasses, mature trees, and climbing plants gracefully soothe the manmade aesthetic.

Designer: Zen Architects  

Gain shade on the patio with a strategically placed pergola. Plant a plethora of plant species to cultivate a wild border.

Designer: Black N White  

This modern patio design features a cool conversation pit; a cozy spot to while away long hours well into the evening.

Designer: Kurt Krueger Architects  

Construct a welcoming ambiance with warm wood-toned elements that counteract concrete paving. Finish off with a thoughtful outdoor lighting plan that creates a welcoming mood and supports safe footing.

Designer: The Design Laboratory  

Colorful accent walls aren’t just for the inside of the home. Break up a plain outdoor living area with bright feature panels and imaginative wall decor.

Designer: Luciano Giubbilei  

Go all out with a sculpture garden to create a cultured space for discerning guests. A perfectly mowed lawn draws the eye toward the art display.

Photographer: Pure Netherlands  

Linear sections neatly zone this restful backyard. Concrete paving stones make light contrast with an emerald lawn and a pretty lily pad pool.

Designer: Russell Page  
Via: AD  

Elevate a formal garden with your very own hedge maze. It will keep kids–and the young at heart–pleasantly amused at your next garden party.

Designer: Pure Salt Interiors  

An outdoor fireplace makes a dreamy place to snuggle up under the stars. Grab a couple of outdoor poufs to put your feet up and put the world to rights.

Designer: Coen + Partners  

Install a vertical water feature to make a magical backdrop for an al fresco eating area. This chic modern waterfall wall wonderfully reflects sunlight in its outpour.

Designer: Black N White  

Get creative with LED strips to highlight key planting areas, built-in benches, and planters.

Source: Delta Light  

Create an intimate feel with high hedges, border trees, and an explosion of flourishing flowering plants.

Designer: Living Gardens Landscape Design  

Use string lights to give an outdoor dining room a festive feel.

Designer: Garden Studio Design  

In this outdoor dining room, rattan pendant lights are gathered to construct a large focal point with a natural feel.

Visualizer: Paghera  

A traditional stone pavilion gives a well-manicured garden a regal feel.

Designer: LandCrafters  

Fashion a zen Japanese space with a karesansui garden, where you can while away your time and release your troubles as you peacefully score the gravel.

Designer: Studio H Landscape Architecture  

Complement your Japanese zen garden with precise borders and uniform planting.

Visualizer: Glück Landschaftsarchitektur  

Give a garden staircase a weightless design with cantilevered treads that hover over a body of water.

Designer: Clements Design  

Embrace the calming power of symmetry with mirror image trees, aligned paving slabs and patios, and a perfectly central living area or dining space. This symmetrical design continues into an outdoor kitchen, where matching shelving towers flank each side of the prep area.

Designer: Curti’s Landscaping  

Rewild your garden to encourage wildlife to grace your space. Think freeform ponds, cascading water, rocky borders, and lush plants.

Source: 1st Dibs  

Enhance your backyard with a garden water bowl, a serene water feature that offers relaxation and serves as a drinking spot for birds.

Designer: Weddle Gilmore Black Studio  

Another take on the water bowl, this time set into a modern concrete border.

Designer: Saad Al Omayrah  

Transform your garden into a tranquil haven by adding a charming tea room. Experience the joy of sipping tea amidst nature, surrounded by calming greenery.

Designer: Tod Hunter Earle  

Maximize the beauty of a narrow backyard by threading a thin pond through its center.

Designer: Luciano Giubbilei  

Enrich your backyard landscape with a serene reflection pool complemented by a captivating sculptural element. This harmonious pairing adds a touch of refinement, creating an attention-grabbing focal point that makes your space unique.

Designer: SCDA Architects  

Craft a captivating terrace adorned with linear water features that gracefully echo through the landscape. This exquisite design element brings a sense of harmony and a touch of sophistication to your outdoor space.

Source: W Studio  

Turn your garden into a wonderland of sights and sounds with a petite, illuminated waterfall that playfully cascades into a dainty pool.

Designer: Garden Studio Design  

Make room for fun with a sand-filled volleyball court. The losing team has to mix the next round of cocktails.

Designer: Fusion Landscape Design  

If volleyball sounds like too much physical exertion, put your brain into action with a giant garden chess board.

Source: Plush Grass  

Golf lovers will love this personal putting green, which includes hilly terrain, a moment in the sand, and tricky borders to conquer. Just don’t get mad and wallop the ball over the side; it’s a long way down.

Designer: Arbordale Landscaping  

Tiptoe over stepping stones toward a dedicated sun lounging area or the summer house.

Designer: Le-qb  

SInk a conversation pit into your lawn to bring greenery rushing up to your eye line. See more inspiration for conversation pits.

Visualizer: Khaled Lotfy  

Light up the night with a glowing arrangement of exterior lights that thread around the edges of paving stones and buzz through plant borders like a sparkle of fireflies.

Designer: Arbordale Landscaping  

Emblazon your backyard with bursts of vibrant color, like the fiery red flowers that thrive within these smartly hedged beds. A small tree adds height to the heart of each area. Fresh white outdoor furniture counterbalances the more colorful elements of the landscape. A hot tub adds a splash of fun.

Photographer: Danang Seta  

A swimming pool with a baja step creates a useful additional area in which swimmers can rest or play. Tropical planting adds blissful shade around the borders of a sunny pool area, which extends the time that you and your guests can enjoy the water.

Designer: Rain Lily Design and Landscaping  

Fashion an inviting walkway around a stunning tree with rest areas along the way. Try creating an interesting incline with low steps to break up the ascent.

Designer: Fernanda Marques Arquitetos Associados  

Make outdoor seating blend with the natural landscape. This driftwood bench makes a natural, sculptural moment beside enchanting vertical garden walls.

Designer: Oscar Pastor  

Build a multi-level garden space with an elevated terrace and a blooming floral stairwell. An understair courtyard completes the look.

Designer: JMJ Studios  

This multi-level backyard features an inviting lounge area across its lower level and a sociable dining space up top. A modern fenced perimeter wraps the entire space in a rich, visually warming wood tone.

Designer: Georg Halke  

Extend a small decked area into your garden pond design to create the illusion of a floating raft. This concept works beautifully with a naturalistic swimming pond.

Recommended Reading:  50 Gorgeous Outdoor Patio Design Ideas

For more regular updates from Home Designing, join us on Facebook.

If you are reading this through e-mail, please consider forwarding this mail to a few of your friends who are into interior design. Come on, you know who they are!

Related Posts:

• 51 Modern Houses That Impress With Stunning Architecture, Pools & Landscaping
• 51 Shipping Container Homes That Will Change How You Think About Home Design
• 51 Outdoor Chaise Lounge Chairs To Soak Up The Sun
• 51 Outdoor Dining Tables That Will Wow Your Dinner Guests