This shade arbor, located in The Woodlands, TX north of Houston, spans the entire length of the back yard. It combines a number of elements with custom structures that were constructed to emulate specific aspects of a Zen garden. The homeowner wanted a low-maintenance garden whose beauty could withstand the tough seasonal weather that strikes the area at various times of the year. He also desired a mood-altering aesthetic that would relax the senses and calm the mind. Most importantly, he wanted this meditative environment completely shielded from the outside world so he could find serenity in total privacy. The most unique design element in this entire project is the roof of the shade arbor itself. It features a “negative space” leaf pattern that was designed in a software suite and cut out of the metal with a water jet cutter. Each form in the pattern is loosely suggestive of either a leaf, or a cluster of leaves. These small, negative spaces cut from the metal are the source of the structure’ powerful visual and emotional impact. During the day, sunlight shines down and highlights columns, furniture, plantings, and gravel with a blend of dappling and shade that make you feel like you are sitting under the branches of a tree. At night, the effects are even more brilliant. Skillfully concealed lights mounted on the trusses reflect off the steel in places, while in other places they penetrate the negative spaces, cascading brilliant patterns of ambient light down on vegetation, hardscape, and water alike. The shade arbor shelters two gravel patios that are almost identical in space. The patio closest to the living room features a mini outdoor dining room, replete with tables and chairs. The patio is ornamented with a blend of ornamental grass, a small human figurine sculpture, and mid-level impact ground cover. Gravel was chosen as the preferred hardscape material because of its Zen-like connotations. It is also remarkably soft to walk on, helping to set the mood for a relaxed afternoon in the dappled shade of gently filtered sunlight. The second patio, spaced 15 feet away from the first, resides adjacent to the home at the opposite end of the shade arbor. Like its twin, it is also ornamented with ground cover borders, ornamental grasses, and a large urn identical to the first. Seating here is even more private and contemplative. Instead of a table and chairs, there is a large decorative concrete bench cut in the shape of a giant four-leaf clover. Spanning the distance between these two patios, a bluestone walkway connects the two spaces. Along the way, its borders are punctuated in places by low-level ornamental grasses, a large flowering bush, another sculpture in the form of human faces, and foxtail ferns that spring up from a spread of river rock that punctuates the ends of the walkway. The meditative quality of the shade arbor is reinforced by two special features. The first of these is a disappearing fountain that flows from the top of a large vertical stone embedded like a monolith in the other edges of the river rock. The drains and pumps to this fountain are carefully concealed underneath the covering of smooth stones, and the sound of the water is only barely perceptible, as if it is trying to force you to let go of your thoughts to hear it. A large piece of core-10 steel, which is deliberately intended to rust quickly, rises up like an arced wall from behind the fountain stone. The dark color of the metal helps the casual viewer catch just a glimpse of light reflecting off the slow trickle of water that runs down the side of the stone into the river rock bed. To complete the quiet moment that the shade arbor is intended to invoke, a thick wall of cypress trees rises up on all sides of the yard, completely shutting out the disturbances of the world with a comforting wall of living greenery that comforts the thoughts and emotions.

Photography: Rett Peek
Идея дизайна: пергола во дворе частного дома среднего размера на заднем дворе в классическом стиле с покрытием из гравия

Идея дизайна: пергола во дворе частного дома среднего размера на заднем дворе в стиле рустика с летней кухней и покрытием из гравия

Seating areas under pergola and fire pit surrounded by Russian Sage and perennials.
Идея дизайна: огромная пергола во дворе частного дома на заднем дворе в современном стиле с местом для костра и покрытием из гравия

На фото: пергола во дворе частного дома на внутреннем дворе в современном стиле с покрытием из гравия с

Blue Sky Solutions
Идея дизайна: пергола во дворе частного дома среднего размера на заднем дворе в стиле кантри с растениями в контейнерах и покрытием из гравия

A stunning landscape filled with traditional elements throughout. Knot gardens, formal boxwood gardens with a water feature at the center, dining under a plush pergola, and seating from front to back to enjoy every space. Multiple levels are created in the landscape with raised beds and views from the upper terrace. Extensive perennial beds fill the distance with color and texture. Photo Credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

cesar rubio
На фото: пергола во дворе частного дома в стиле кантри с покрытием из гравия с

Пример оригинального дизайна: пергола во дворе частного дома среднего размера на заднем дворе в восточном стиле с местом для костра и покрытием из гравия

photo: Ron Blunt
Идея дизайна: пергола во дворе частного дома в стиле кантри с покрытием из гравия

The new backyard is perfect for entertaining large groups, hosting intimate dinners, or relaxing. Birdhouses and plants line the new space and a pergola shades a table for al fresco dining. A pass-through into the basement allows guests to pull a stool right up to the bar.

На фото: большая пергола во дворе частного дома на заднем дворе в современном стиле с фонтаном и покрытием из гравия

The main access brings one up granite steps to a rustic gravel path flanked by seasonal plantings in beds as well as in containers. A garden statue responds to the symmetry and formality of the pergola and draws one into the space.

Свежая идея для дизайна: маленькая пергола во дворе частного дома на заднем дворе в современном стиле с покрытием из гравия для на участке и в саду - отличное фото интерьера

На фото: большая пергола во дворе частного дома на заднем дворе в современном стиле с местом для костра и покрытием из гравия с

Источник вдохновения для домашнего уюта: пергола во дворе частного дома среднего размера на заднем дворе в стиле рустика с покрытием из гравия

Свежая идея для дизайна: пергола во дворе частного дома среднего размера на внутреннем дворе в стиле кантри с местом для костра и покрытием из гравия - отличное фото интерьера

На фото: пергола во дворе частного дома в стиле шебби-шик с покрытием из гравия с

The pergola has a bench on the far side that gives a layered view of the gardens that flank the gravel path, the stone landing at the edge of the pond and beyond across the lawn to the perimeter border garden. Photo: Paul Maue