Outdoor Living Style Guides — Modern, Mediterranean, Desert Contemporary, Traditional
Picking a style anchors every other decision — material, color, plant palette, lighting. Here are the four we design most often, and what defines each.
Modern
Clean lines, large-format pavers (24x24 porcelain), rectangle pool, linear water features, monochrome plant palette, aluminum pergolas, low-profile lighting. Color: charcoal/white/sand. Best for newer-build homes with modern architecture.
Mediterranean
Travertine pavers, freeform or geometric pool with raised spa, scupper water features, terra cotta accents, ironwood/citrus plant palette, cedar pergolas, classic copper lanterns. Color: warm cream/terra/sage. Pairs with stucco-and-tile-roof homes.
Desert contemporary
Decomposed granite + concrete pavers, freeform pool with rock features, native AZ plants (palo verde, agave, ocotillo), corten steel, sculptural lighting. Color: rust/sand/silver-green. Honors the desert without being clichéd.
Traditional
Brick or cobblestone pavers, classic rectangle pool with diving board (yes, still a thing), formal landscape with hedges, brass fixtures, gas lanterns. Color: warm earth tones with green accents. Best for 1990s–2000s traditional homes.
What happens when you mix
Picking one style and committing is what makes magazine yards look magazine. Mixed-style yards (modern pool with Mediterranean kitchen with desert plants) read busy and date fast. We design to one anchor style per project.
