Mechanical pergola louvers, heaters, fire table and custom bar make this a 4-season destination. Photography: Van Inwegen Digital Arts.

We changed the exterior from dark brown to blue, added shutters, cream colored lattice fences, new stone walkways and gardens, and copper lanterns for a total transformation from the street. Ken Gutmaker

Photography by Thomas Loof

Outdoor living space in backyard features a fire pit and a cement tile fountain.

Miller + Miller Real Estate A must see luxury house less than 3 miles from Downtown Naperville. Private and secluded home on a spectacular wooded lot that borders a 14-acre forest preserve. The front patio features perennials, a mahogany stream bridge, 2 mahogany pond decks overlooking koi ponds, waterfalls and 40′ English Arbor. 40′ English Arbor with Wisteria, Clematis, & Akebia. More than 75 trees on the property, along driveway & several ornamentals. Woodland garden with abundant daffodils, scylla, redbuds, columbine, bleeding hearts & lily of the valley. Kitchen garden.

Raymond Bray

The entire grounds of this Lake Minnetonka home was renovated as part of a major home remodel. The orientation of the entrance was improved to better align automobile traffic. The new permeable driveway is built of recycled clay bricks placed on gravel. The remainder of the front yard is organized by soft lawn spaces and large Birch trees. The entrance to the home is accentuated by masses of annual flowers that frame the bluestone steps. On the lake side of the home a secluded, private patio offers refuge from the more publicly viewed backyard. This project earned Windsor Companies a Grand Honor award and Judge's Choice by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association. Photos by Paul Crosby.

Photo by Mellon Studio

The clients wanted to remodel and update this 4,300 sq. ft., three story, three-bedroom, five bath, Spanish Colonial style residence to meet their design aesthetic. Architect: The Warner Group. Photographer: Kelly Teich