Courtyard Designs & Ideas


“This design originated with the client’s desire to duplicate the warmth of Tuscan Architecture,” says Stolz. “The vision that South Coast Architects set forth was to create the feel of an old Tuscan Village as a private residence at their golf community, ‘The Hideaway’ in La Quinta, California. However, we had to keep in mind that we were still designing for a desert lifestyle, which meant an emphasis on indoor/outdoor living and capturing the spectacular views of the golf course and neighboring mountains,” Stolz adds.
“The owners had spent a lot of time in Europe and knew exactly what they wanted when it came to the overall look of the home, especially the stone,” says Muth. “The mason ended up creating a dozen mock-ups of various stone profiles and blends to help the family decide what really worked for them. Ultimately, they selected Eldorado Stone’s Orchard Cypress Ridge profile that offers a beautiful blend of stone sizes and colors.”
“The generous use of Eldorado Stone with brick detailing over the majority of the exterior of the home added the authenticity and timelessness that we were striving for in the design,” says Stolz.
“Our clients want the very best, but if we can duplicate something and save money, what client would say no? That’s why we use Eldorado Stone whenever we can. It gives us the opportunity to save money and gives clients exactly the look they desire so we can use more of their budget in other areas.”
Stolz explained that Eldorado Stone was also brought into the interior to continue that feel of authenticity and historical accuracy. Stone is used floor to ceiling in the kitchen for a pizza oven, as well as on the fireplace in the Great Room and on an entire wall in the master bedroom. “Using a material like Eldorado Stone allows for the seamless continuation of space” says Stolz.
“Stone is what made the house so authentic-looking” says Muth. “It’s such an integral part of the house that it either was going to be a make or break scenario if we made the wrong choice. Luckily, Eldorado Stone really made it!”
Eldorado Stone Profile Featured: Orchard Cypress Ridge with a khaki grout color (overgrout technique)
Eldorado Brick Profile Featured: Cassis ModenaBrick with a khaki grout color (overgrout technique)
Architect: South Coast Architects
Website: www.southcoastarchitects.com
Builder: Andrew Pierce Corporation, Palm Desert, CA
Website: www. andrewpiercecorp.com
Mason: RAS Masonry, Inc. Bob Serna, Corona, CA
Phone: 760-774-0090
Photography: Eric Figge Photography, Inc.
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The covered breezeway connecting the garage to the main house is open yet the Bahamma shutters provide a sense of privacy.


Looking back toward the entry gate, slate clad stairs bring you down from street level and the glass enclosed carport creates interesting reflections and matches a new glass entry awning over the front door.
Photo Credit: J. Michael Tucker


French inspired garden home by landscape architect David Gibson.
Architectural & Interior Design Photography by http://www.daveadamsphotography.com


Historic Boston rises above a contemporary private courtyard in the city’s South End. Steel-framed, whitewashed fir walls enclose a vibrant, durable garden. Innovative storage solutions make efficient use of limited space. Soothing geometric patterns visually extend the volume of the courtyard, and bright plantings punctuate the landscape. Native moss joints create a soft, porous carpet between antique cobblestones. A salvaged Maine granite pier rises from the earth to form the pedestal of a table—the centerpiece of the garden. Interior and exterior spaces blend to expand urban living.


The Curved House is a modern residence with distinctive lines. Conceived in plan as a U-shaped form, this residence features a courtyard that allows for a private retreat to an outdoor pool and a custom fire pit. The master wing flanks one side of this central space while the living spaces, a pool cabana, and a view to an adjacent creek form the remainder of the perimeter.
A signature masonry wall gently curves in two places signifying both the primary entrance and the western wall of the pool cabana. An eclectic and vibrant material palette of brick, Spanish roof tile, Ipe, Western Red Cedar, and various interior finish tiles add to the dramatic expanse of the residence. The client’s interest in suitability is manifested in numerous locations, which include a photovoltaic array on the cabana roof, a geothermal system, radiant floor heating, and a design which provides natural daylighting and views in every room. Photo Credit: Mike Sinclair


Indoor-outdoor courtyard, living room in mid-century-modern home. Living room with expansive views of the San Francisco Bay, with wood ceilings and floor to ceiling sliding doors. Courtyard with round dining table and wicker patio chairs, orange lounge chair and wood side table. Large potted plants on teak deck tiles in the Berkeley hills, California.
Courtyard Designs & Ideas


The existing 1950’s ranch house was remodeled by this firm during a 4-year period commencing in 1997. Following the Phase I remodel and master bedroom loft addition, the property was sold to the present owners, a retired geologist and freelance artist. The geologist discovered the largest gas reserve in Wyoming, which he named ‘Jonah’.
The new owners program included a guest bedroom suite and an office. The owners wanted the addition to express their informal lifestyle of entertaining small and large groups in a setting that would recall their worldly travels.
The new 2 story, 1,475 SF guest house frames the courtyard and contains an upper level office loft and a main level guest bedroom, sitting room and bathroom suite. All rooms open to the courtyard or rear Zen garden. The centralized fire pit / water feature defines the courtyard while creating an axial alignment with the circular skylight in the guest house loft. At the time of Jonahs’ discovery, sunlight tracks through the skylight, directly into the center of the courtyard fire pit, giving the house a subliminal yet personal attachment to the present owners.
Different types and textures of stone are used throughout the guest house to respond to the owner’s geological background. A rotating work-station, the courtyard ‘room’, a stainless steel Japanese soaking tub, the communal fire pit, and the juxtaposition of refined materials and textured stone reinforce the owner’s extensive travel and communal experiences.
Photo: Frank Ooms
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