See Which Stunning Outdoor Spaces Wowed Our Pros
Dive into the award-winning spaces our editors loved from the 2017 Ultimate Outdoor Awards.
Hundreds of the nation's top pros entered their best outdoor designs, but only 36 made the cut. We then chose our favorites from each of the six categories. Learn more about the award-winning spaces that won over our editors from the 2017 Ultimate Outdoor Awards.
Editors' Pick and Overall Winner: Water + Design
Rustic Meets Contemporary Wyoming Home and Barn
The northwestern Wyoming home and barn is dominated by jurisdictional wetlands and natural water courses, so man-made water features are a natural enhancement to the landscape. In the front, the pond butts against the foundation of the barn and family room. The water exploits the glass chinking between the logs of the barn, providing a quietly dazzling mirror image of the barn.
Photo by: Rodger Wade Photography
Rodger Wade Photography
Both our panel of expert judges and team of editors fell in love with this waterfront home where nature and architecture are perfectly in balance. Architects Tom Ward and Mitch Blake took inspiration from the surrounding aspen grove and protected wetlands when designing the home and outdoor spaces that tie the contemporary indoors to the home's rugged environment.
Open, Welcoming Porch With Stunning Wyoming Views
Nestled in a grove of aspen trees, this Wyoming home incorporates seamlessly blends with its natural surroundings. The porch is even designed around some of the aspen trees, making them a welcomed part of outdoor dining spot.
Photo by: Rodger Wade Photography
Rodger Wade Photography
An ingenuous series of sluices move water through and around the home's many decks, porches and raised walkways, contributing the calming sound of running water. The property's native aspen trees not only form the scenic backdrop, the designers also incorporated them into the decking to create a living pergola and dramatic focal point.
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Editors' Pick: Gorgeous Gardens
Lush and lovely is how this Pennsylvania backyard grows. Hess Landscape Architects set the scene with a backdrop of mature conifers and deciduous trees for privacy, while hydrangeas and other seasonal bloomers add colorful interest.
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Editors' Pick: Outdoor Escape
Contemporary Meets Rustic Outdoor Living Space
This Tuscon, Ariz., backyard and sleek swimming pool has stunning views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The outdoor dining and living areas sit under a redwood ramada, which creates an open, expansive environment while providing shade from the Arizona sun.
Photo by: Matt Vacca
Matt Vacca
This spacious backyard lounge, designed by Kathryn Prideaux, features multiple zones for entertaining family and friends. To take a break from the relentless Arizona sun, guests can shelter under the ramada, an open outdoor structure with a solid roof, or if they'd like to catch a few rays, dine under the adjacent pergola. The nearby pool beckons with a built-in hot tub and in-water lounge chairs.
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Editors' Pick: Curb Appeal
Nestled in New Orleans' historic Garden District, this gem of a home is surrounded by perfectly manicured plantings. Reflecting the area's rich European influence, Mullin Landscape Associates gave the property massive curb appeal with a traditional parterre, or a formal garden consisting of symmetrical beds which are separated and connected by paths. Boxwoods create the framework, while showy annuals bring on the blooms.
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Editors' Pick: Outdoor Architecture
Chic Poolhouse for Entertaining
Inside, the poolhouse contains a studio apartment and bathroom/changing room.
Photo by: Westphalen Photography
Westphalen Photography
Constructed away from the main house, this rustic poolhouse and entertaining space was sited to make the most of the property's unobstructed mountain views. Landscape architects Keith Wagner and Jeffrey Hodgson kept the landscaping simple with symmetrical plantings of ornamental grasses. The low plantings not only mirror the poolhouse's streamlined aesthetic, they also don't detract from the surrounding mature trees and distant mountain views.
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Editors' Pick: Art of Outdoor
Cozy Patio With Cushioned Seating, Fire Pit and Water Feature
A trio of cushioned armchairs with navy throw pillows offer a comfy place to sit by the fire pit. A stacked stone wall, lush plantings and Corten steel water feature next to the pool complete the outdoor design.
Photo by: George Dzahristos
George Dzahristos
Corten steel sculptures, that double as a water feature, add an artistic focal point to this serene outdoor lounge. Corten is a weathering steel that's corrosion-resistant and, when exposed to the elements, develops a deep rusty patina over time. So, these artful elements, designed by AguaFina Gardens International, will durably add both form and function to this backyard for many years to come.
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