happy house landscape

Urth fire pit by Brown Jordan Fires, $1,690 Bioethanol fuel—a semi-renewable resource made from common crops—powers this backyard heat source.

Made of polished integral concrete with a Cor-Ten steel base, a fire pit “becomes very much a unique element that sets itself apart in form and color,” says landscape architect Stefan Thuilot, who designed it.

A zigzagging white-gravel path ultimately ends at the final destination: a circular fire pit for conversation.

The courtyard with its fire pit and infinity pond—extends the living area outdoors. The family has hosted events, weddings, and even a funeral here, and annual solstice parties are always a big hit with the neighbors.

On the builders' side, Brown Jordan and Ecosmart Fire teamed up on a new fire pit that runs on corn-based ethanol.

Water features pepper the gardens throughout.

Full-height sliding glass doors bring a sense of the outdoors into the home.

The elegant retreat combines contemplative spaces with a sense of drama.

The courtyard in the center of the compound opens with a lovely lap pool.

The outdoor space includes a fire pit.

Greenery at the entrance of the home.

The west patio

Lynn

Succulents spill out of planters from Wayfair on an outer wall. “The idea was to imitate birds flying up to the sky,” Lynn says.

The west patio opens up to a grass area that can be enjoyed by many.

Bathrooms are places for physical and spiritual cleansing. A green view amplifies the feeling of rest and relaxation in this surfer’s house in San Francisco; the sliding glass panels in the bathroom open to put the tub in the tree canopy.

Inspired by historic American farmhouses, this modern dwelling is sited at the base of the Rocky Mountain Foothills in West Boulder, Colorado. Designed by Surround Architecture, the 6,800-square-foot property features a unique layout that makes the best use of its one-acre site, while also responding to its long driveway access.