Backyard

Looove the glass roof!!

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Sam Crawford Crawford Architects Shelter an outdoor space. Outdoor rooms in the backyard are wonderful ... when the weather cooperates. But having a covered space next to the house is also welcome. Add comfy seating and perhaps even a fireplace, and you can watch the rain from the comfort of your cozy perch.

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Reimagine your hardscape and bed lines. Serpentine lines both invoke the imagination and have a relaxing effect upon the mind. In art theory this shape is referred to as the line of beauty. It infuses a composition with vitality, as opposed to straight lines, which signify death or inanimate objects.

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A three-story vertical garden adds leafy beauty, helps cool the house and filters rainwater into a storm tank that's used for irrigation and the bathrooms.

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Check out that headboard with all those candles — an easy DIY project that results in an unforgettable scene.

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Your lounge can be a built-in element. This striking poured-concrete sectional hits a modern chord without feeling harsh, thanks to a wooden seat, ample greenery and the softening presence of gravel and rounded stones. The cushions are soft and cheerful.

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A shaded trellis and overhead heat lamp make a patio inviting for more of the year.

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Love the tree and lantern and decking.

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The new built-in benches are made of wood salvaged from a local bridge. When the fire pit is not in use, a cover transforms it into a table and extra seating.

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I like the window with outdoor shelf on the lft - let's you pass things from the kitchen to a backyard party more easily. Outdoor buffet!

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Stair Riser Lights This small touch can add ambience and prevent falls. Good to know: Having just one or two steps can actually cause more accidents than a taller staircase. Especially at dusk, that single step can be easy to miss, so adding a light is a kind thing to do.

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String Lights Nothing can beat the soft, glowing light of café-style lights strung overhead, and since they are so inexpensive, you can use them liberally without denting your budget. Good to know: Be sure to choose outdoor-rated string lights. LED bulbs will last practically forever, but incandescent bulbs will give you that trademark soft glow. Solar string lights are a great option if you want to hang them far from an outlet.

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Make room for kids and grown-ups. A unique design like the combo bench and table shown here can provide a perch for adults sipping wine just as easily as it can play host to toddler tea parties.

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Tuck a bench between planters for built-in shade. Also like the outdoor fireplace

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