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Contemporary Hideaway Honors the Surrounding Forest

From: Darren Reynolds

This landscape makeover exudes rustic elegance and helps blur the line between the contemporary home and its wooded, hillside surroundings. The new outdoor spaces, including hot tub and fire pit, add living area for a growing family. A rose window-style privacy wall is a nod to the forest as natural cathedral.

Deck With Vertical Garden

Photo: NorCal MLS. From: Darren Reynolds

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Terraced Backyard With Vertical Garden

A series of walls and fences give the backyard a cozy, sheltered feel. Here, unique cutouts in a wood fence let in views of the surrounding forest. And a vertical garden creates a lush backdrop for the deck's sitting area.

Deck and Forest View

Photo: NorCal MLS. From: Darren Reynolds

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Deck With Forest View

The backyard's deck and gardens mesh seamlessly with the forest all around, most notably via the striking fence that allows in views of the trees.

Backyard With Cutout Fence

Photo: NorCal MLS. From: Darren Reynolds

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Backyard With Cutout Wood Fence

One of the backyard's most striking features is a tall wooden fence inset with an intricate cutout design. Lightweight screens let the forest's green filter through, one of the many ways landscapers blended the outdoor space with the natural surroundings.

Lower Deck With Boulders

Photo: NorCal MLS. From: Darren Reynolds

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Lower Deck With White Chairs

Subtle lighting shines a path through the backyard's variety of destinations to the house. Raised garden beds help blend the landscaping with the lush forest surroundings.

Terraced Deck and Hot Tub

Photo: NorCal MLS. From: Darren Reynolds

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Terraced Deck With Hot Tub

To maximize the long, somewhat narrow outdoor space, designers set up distinct areas. Here, a terraced deck includes a standalone hot tub and, down several steps, seating arranged around a built-in fire pit.

Deck and Kitchen With Smoker

Photo: NorCal MLS. From: Darren Reynolds

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Outdoor Dining Room and Kitchen With Smoker

Glass doors pull back to connect the home's indoor dining room with an outdoor one. An extensive outdoor kitchen is included in the design as well with a smoker, grill, sink and mini fridge.

Deck and Grassy Area

Photo: NorCal MLS. From: Darren Reynolds

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Deck and Grassy Lawn

A deck extends off the back of the house, providing an easy way to get outside from multiple rooms. Climb up a few steps to get to a petite terraced grassy area.

Deck and Fire Pit

Photo: NorCal MLS. From: Darren Reynolds

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Deck With Fire Pit

When this forest home was first built, no attention was paid to the surrounding land, so the outdoor areas weren't very functional. Now, a series of decks, terraces and gardens beckon homeowners outside.

Backyard in Forest

Photo: NorCal MLS. From: Darren Reynolds

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Backyard and Hot Tub in Forest

The landscaping cleverly uses lots of levels to create a wonderful variety of outdoor spaces. A deck off the house provides seating and outdoor dining. A hot tub is nestled under the trees. Raised planters and retaining walls create attractive borders throughout the backyard.

White House With Terraced Gardens

Photo: NorCal MLS. From: Darren Reynolds

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White Front Exterior With Terraced Gardens

This home is located in the middle of a beautiful forest. But its outdoor spaces had been sorely neglected...until now. Designers used the surroundings to inspire the thoughtful landscaping.

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