Fresh renderings for a pool house design in South Lyon.

As a prime entertaining and staycation spot, this poolside structure includes a spacious changing room, full bath, all-in-one washer/dryer for beach towels, pool toy storage & equipment room, outdoor shower, spacious kitchen for catering family gatherings and a stunning masonry gas fireplace to ground the vaulted ceilings.

When hosting lots of young families, having a quiet retreat with elbow room to change and wrangle little ones is a real luxury. We have 3 private spaces in this design to accommodate all the friends and family without a long waiting line.

A pretty dramatic curb appeal transformation on this Ann Arbor home.

We're still wrapping up the final lawn restoration, but we couldn't wait to share the progress. Swipe to see where this project started and how we progressed.

The new front porch, designed in-house, completely changes the way you arrive at the home. What was once an off-center entrance tucked behind overgrown shrubs is now a welcoming focal point, connected by a Unilock paver walkway and framed with fresh landscaping. Interior walls with historic coved ceilings were preserved by creating false sidelights, custom crafted by our carpenter.

We're really proud of this transformation and look forward to our planting design flushing out in coming years.

One thing we tell people about new construction: The best time to start thinking about your landscape isn't after you get the keys; it's while the house is still coming together.

There are so many little details that can make a big difference down the road.

Can your builder's front walk be customized? What will the final grading actually look like after backfilling? When should irrigation go in so it doesn't interfere with the builder's sod schedule? Can you move the sump discharge line? What if the lanai is closed-off with railing, but you want access to a future lower patio without repairing holes in your new concrete slab?

By the time you're closing on a new home, you've already made hundreds of decisions. We get it. Decision fatigue is real.

That's why we love getting involved early. It gives everyone (homeowner, builder, and landscape architect) a chance to work together before those "I wish we would've thought of that ..." moments happen.

After nearly 50 years of designing and building outdoor spaces around Ann Arbor, we've learned that a little planning early on can save a lot of headaches later and help you spend your first summer enjoying your new home instead of tearing parts of it back up.

If you're building a home and wondering when to start planning the landscape, the answer is probably sooner than you think. We'd be happy to help you think it through.

Well... who else is feeling it today?

After that long holiday weekend, getting back into work mode is patchy at best, especially when Friday's storm decided to crash the party. Hopefully everyone's AC is humming again and things are getting back to normal.

There's just something about sitting on a shady porch with a lake soda, listening to the birds after the rain, or winding down on the patio after the sun starts to set. No plans. No rushing around. Just home.

It's funny how quickly a few quiet days can reset your perspective... and how quickly Monday reminds you they didn't last long enough.

Hope everyone made the most of the weekend, stayed safe through the storms, and has someplace to look forward to when the workday is over.

Here's to making it back to the porch. 🌿☀️

#MondayMood #BackToReality #OutdoorLiving #BackyardGoals #SummerEvenings #MichiganLiving #LandscapeDesign #PatioLife #HomeSweetHome #PureMichigan #TERRAFIRMALandscape

HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY?

As This Fourth of July Approaches, Many Homeowners Are Already Thinking About the Next One.

With Independence Day only a few weeks away, families across Southeast Michigan are preparing for backyard barbecues, pool parties, lawn games, and evenings spent watching fireworks with friends and neighbors on the lake.

Instead of dragging lawn chairs into the driveway or searching for shade under a single patio umbrella, many of our clients are enjoying thoughtfully designed outdoor living spaces built specifically for gathering, entertaining, and creating memories. See how you can too! Start the conversation today. (734) 434-3811

There's something special about ending a day on Wamplers Lake around a fire with family and friends.
This custom fire table was designed and built to do exactly that. A warm, comfortable gathering space that feels just as inviting on a summer evening as it does during the cooler months.
Thoughtful details, framed views and timeless materials help make outdoor spaces feel like a natural extension of the home.

It’s times like these you learn to live again…
Modern, grounded and easy to live in. Tough, structured plantings and a lawn made for bare feet. Because lake time isn’t for worrying about plants. It’s for unwinding. 🎸🌊

Everybody loves the sunshine.
Call your people who know pools. (734) 434-3811 🌊🌞

Grateful for the quiet beauty of this season, the clients who trust us with their homes, and the crews who bring every design to life.
Wishing you a peaceful, cozy Thanksgiving filled with good food, familiar voices, and a moment to breathe in the year’s blessings. 🧡