Ciro Coelho Photography

Design: modernedgedesign.com Photo: Edmunds Studios Photography

Residential Design by Heydt Designs, Interior Design by Benjamin Dhong Interiors, Construction by Kearney & O'Banion, Photography by David Duncan Livingston

At this Palo Alto home, a concrete wall provides privacy for front yard seating. Existing boxwoods and dogwood tree at right were kept per client's wishes. (Photography by Paul Dyer)

Tamara Alvarez

Antique Barn frame resized and converted into a guest and pool house in upstate New York.

This property has a wonderful juxtaposition of modern and traditional elements, which are unified by a natural planting scheme. Although the house is traditional, the client desired some contemporary elements, enabling us to introduce rusted steel fences and arbors, black granite for the barbeque counter, and black African slate for the main terrace. An existing brick retaining wall was saved and forms the backdrop for a long fountain with two stone water sources. Almost an acre in size, the property has several destinations. A winding set of steps takes the visitor up the hill to a redwood hot tub, set in a deck amongst walls and stone pillars, overlooking the property. Another winding path takes the visitor to the arbor at the end of the property, furnished with Emu chaises, with relaxing views back to the house, and easy access to the adjacent vegetable garden. Photos: Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Photography by Greg Hadley

This blue ice sandstone terrace has a cooling effect to this comfortable outdoor living space that offers a wide-open area to lounge next to the custom-designed pool. The loggia exterior of limed brick connects to the main house right off the hearth room and is embellished with mahogany shutters flanking the French doors with a bleaching oil finish.