Curb Appeal with a Self-Serving Twist: Design for Your Own View

Garden curb appeal is laudable, but whats in it for you? When did a stranger last stop, knock, and compliment your garden? Thought so. What if you could impress guests and passersby while directing the lions share of the

Double Take: A Gravity-Defying Glass Spa in an Australian Bushland Backyard

Its not every day you encounter a square of suspended water in the Australian bush. This geometric, seemingly gravity-defying spa stopped my scrolling and demanded a closer look. Located in Dural, Australia, about 40 min

Climate-Responsive Outdoor Spaces: Design with Sun, Wind, and Water

Understanding your climate is key when adding to your homes outdoor spaces. Whether planning a simple deck or expansive outdoor kitchen, knowing your climates particulars greatly improves the outcome. Here are design con

Build a Backyard Fish Pond: A Step-by-Step Guide

One of my most memorable experiences was a week in Hawaii for my brothers wedding—resort beaches, sunshine, mai tais, morning ocean swims, waterfalls, and the abundance of shimmering koi ponds everywhere. Glimmering whit

Bauhaus-Inspired Modernist Landscape Design: Function Meets Form

Garden design wasnt taught at the influential Bauhaus school founded by Walter Gropius in 1919, but the Bauhaus concept of Gesamtkunstwerk—bringing art, craft, and technology into one complete work—later found its way in

6 Ways to Harmonize Your Dog and Landscape Design

Dogs and outdoor spaces go together naturally, but their penchant for digging holes, carving runway paths, and eating plants can wreak havoc on landscape design. Understanding common problems and solutions helps keep the

9 Universal Design Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Safety and Beauty

Exterior lighting is just as important as interior lighting design. Universally designed exterior lighting ensures a smooth transition between indoors and out when evening falls. Well-executed lighting transforms your en

Salvaged Soul: A Philadelphia Gaslamp Pergola With Parisian Flair in New Jersey

Decommissioned Philadelphia gaslamp posts (1930s, original steel-mill stamps intact), bent reclaimed fencing echoing Paris Metro arches, Amish barn doors refitted to an 1800s stone potting shed — these elements knit a hi

5 Gravel & Stone Types for a Rock-Solid Landscape

I use gravel in nearly every design — it solves drainage, adds texture, crunches satisfyingly underfoot, and comes in endless colors and forms. Here are my five favorites with the practical details you need to choose and

Urban Gardens That Do More: 8 City Spaces Energizing Communities

Urban gardens have evolved beyond replacing asphalt with plants. Todays city landscapes build community, host wildlife, grow food on rooftops, and transform neglected lots. Eight gardens proving urban green space can be

Steal These Parisian Garden Ideas: Springtime Inspiration From the City of Light

Paris in spring — architecture, history, food, and gardens so exquisite you could spend a week hopping parks and cafés. From the Latin Quarter to the Marais, here are steal-worthy ideas from the citys most enchanting gre

Modern Moats: 8 Water Crossings That Bring Castle Magic Home

Water at the threshold — crossed by stepping stones, decks, or bridges — taps into something primal. Medieval moats offered security and controlled access; todays versions deliver those same psychological benefits plus a

Garden Rooms Around a Green Core: A New Jersey Backyard Tour

Architect John Conroy of Princeton Design Collaborative transformed a shady 1/8-acre Lawrenceville backyard into a multipurpose oasis — storage, outdoor rooms, circulation, and an edible garden — all woven into existing

The Art of Stuff vs. Space: Finding Balance in Garden Design

Youre scrolling for that aha! garden photo. But before chasing plant combos, zoom out. The fundamental design principle isnt color — its the ratio of stuff (plants, boulders, furniture, structures) to space (paths, lawns

8 Outdoor Playspace Ideas to Spark Children's Imagination

Its funny how young children often ignore presents in favor of the box. A box isnt just a box—its a fort, a rocket ship, a car, a boat. The same principle applies to outdoor playscapes. While jungle gyms are fun, the imp

Six Homes That Rise From the Landscape: Architecture in Harmony With Rural Settings

Ancient builders used local materials, letting structures emerge from — and eventually return to — the land. Modern homes, larger and built from industrial materials, face a harder challenge: integrating into sensitive r

Rock Walls Reimagined: 10 Modern Takes on a Timeless Landscape Element

From New England fieldstone boundaries to contemporary architectural statements, rock walls have evolved far beyond their rural roots. Todays designers integrate fire pits, fountains, seating, and spatial definition into

Chelsea Flower Show Inspiration: Translating World-Class Design Into a Real Backyard

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show sets global garden trends, but can its theatrical show gardens translate to a modest 30-by-30-foot Devon backyard? Absolutely. Over seven years, Ive woven Chelseas evolving design language — s

Flagstone Fundamentals: Choose, Buy, and Build With Confidence

Flagstone — also called patio rock — is a landscape chameleon, equally at home in formal patios, rustic pathways, and stacked seating walls. But with countless stone types, thicknesses, and price points, smart buying req

A Manhattan Couple's Country Escape: The 1,200-Sq-Ft Greenhouse That Became Their True Home

It started with a lunch recommendation. Landscape architect David Fierabend suggested his clients visit Terrains café during a patio consultation. They called him mid-meal: We want the greenhouse from this restaurant. A