Courtyard creations – enhanced earth

 

 

Ochre and jade green Moroccan courtyard

Moroccan courtyard – Ochre with jade green highlights

 

I’m looking at residential courtyards with the key emphasis being on prominent earth features using design elements like decorative rocks, stone paths, ceramic tiles, planters, earthy tones and stone walls. I am in the process of modifying a home design which has a central courtyard (a rarity these days) that has close proximity to a laundry and bathroom. This  isn’t ideal from a Feng Shui perspective, due to the running water depleting the Earth, which can be disruptive to the whole balance as this element is crucial to harmonizing all the elements.. This can be remedied by fortifying the instrinsic Earth element of the middle courtyard and avoiding the presence of fountains and other water features and cooling colours. In addtion, as wood attacks earth (5 Element Theory), large trees, wood decking.and other decorative elements using wood will need to be kept to a minimum. When combined with fire features like a toro stone lantern, red decor aspects and fire pits, this will enhance the Earth element and help regenerate it. The addition of metal with the fire also supports the energy flow of the earth (5 Element Theory)

Traditional Japanese courtyards favor the presemce of large rock features and stone, emphasised by the inclusion of open spaces using gravel, sand and moss (which has a milder growth aspect then the use of larger trees). The main courtyard entrance sometimes used a rounded moon doorway (Mon (門) threshold) becauses like the tortoise, the combination of the curve with a straight line was a symbol of heaven and earth and encouraged the movement of chi.. Arched doorways also attract an enhanced chi flow.

 

 

Image by Joachim Müller

 

 

garden in the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, landscape architect Judy KameonDesign-Al-Fresco-1stdibs

Interior courtyard garden, Silverlake,  Los Angeles,

Landscape architect Judy KameonDesign

 

Cactus courtyard

 

 

Contemporary courtyard with blue/white tiled mural

 

 

Ubud garden, Bali

Balinese courtyard, Ubud

Kayon Jungle Resort

 

 

Azure blue Persian courtyard

Azure blue Persian style courtyard

 

 

Greek style courtyard with bourganvillia canopy

 

 

balcony courtyard

Burnt orange/ochre decor highlighting the earth aspect of the courtyard, further supported by the fire pit and the metal patina back wall. A fire feature in this sector directly opposite the entrance to the central courtyard, on its peripheal, is an ideal location to stimulate the earth.

 

 

Zen courtyard black and white

Black paving stones dramatically in contrast with the snow in this Zen inspired courtyard, exemplifing the power of ‘Ma’ (間) negative space

 

 

minimalist contemporary Zen garden

Minimalist contemporary Zen garden

 

japanese garden , contrasting gravel color

Japanese garden with contrasting gravel color. The open expanse of gravel symbolizes the eternal conscioussnes with the rocks representing islands.

 

 

French inspried symmetrical garden

Symmetrically aligned topiary trees and shrubs

 

 

Rich colored Faiz Mahal, Khairpur, Pakistan

Faiz Mahal, Khairpur, Pakistan

 

 

In Lucca, Italy, the loggia of the grand Villa Torrigiani boasts 17th-century frescoes

The loggia of the grand Villa Torrigiani with 17th century frescoes.

The Trompe l’oeil mural enlarging the appearance of size.

Lucca, Italy

Mediterranean style courtyard with stone archway and rounded borders drawing +ve chi inside

 

 

 

Karrinyup Courtyards –  CultivArt Landscape Design

 

modern courtyard

Fire pit courtyard feature

 

Huge Buddha wall mural, Bali

 

 

 

Van Den Berk nuseries

Traditionally designed Japanese garden.

Van Den Berk nurseries

 

Tuscan Italian-courtyard

Tuscan interior courtyard

 

Moroccan courtyard with a Persian wall feature and an abundance of earthy palettes.

 

 

Japanese-Courtyard-Gardens,-by-Katsuhiko-Mizuno

Japanese Courtyard Garden by Katsuhiko Mizuno

 

 

japanese garden with stone paving

Zen garden landscaping with stone paving and Toro stone lantern

 

 

wall of greenery courtyard

Designed by Judy Kameon of Elysian Landscapes, LA

 

 

lemon and lavender decor

Garden decor lemon and lavender

 

 

Kyoto Koi pond courtyard, natural rock

 

Miami paradise garden

Spainish theme garden, Miami

 

 

Traditional Zen garden featuring white sand, rocks and moss

Zen garden featuring white sand, rocks and moss under a large Japanese maple tree. Asymmetry and Irregularity (Fukinsei) is a consistent aspect of a Japanese garden due to it having a higher dynamic of motion and its curvy movement attracting the luck of the dragon, especially if the courtyard faces East.

 

 

large olive green planters

Large green planters highlighting the symmetry

 

 

big planter Italy

Large Italian planter

 

 

Elevated garden beds create the impression of a sunken courtyard and added depth

 

 

courtyard gardern with hedge wall

Courtyard gardern with hedge wall and curvaceous vintage backdrop

 

 

Courtyard garden in Chur

Large garden with Japanese Maple in huge planter

Courtyard in Chur

 

ceramic tiled courtyard,

Moroccan themed ceramic tiled courtyard

 

 

Hacienda Mexicana entrance to Spainish styled courtyard

Hacienda Mexicana entrance to Spainish styled courtyard

 

 

Boho courtyard decor

Boho patio/courtyard with Moroccan rugs

 

 

rusticl Italian courtyard

Rustic Italian courtyard with orange tree

@mylavenderroselife

 

 

Potted olive trees and mirrored arch to enhance the light and size of a tiled courtyard

 

 

Vermillion red wall  fortifiying the Earth by virtue of the 5 element Mother Son relationship

 

 

Slim-Aarons,-Melina-Mercouri1961

Melina Mercouri in Italian courtyard

Slim Aarons, 1961

 

Moon door courtyard portal

Inviting Moon Door courtyard portal

Youyicun garden

 

 

patterned ceramic tiling fow a safer grip

Patterned ceramic tiling for a safer grip

Aleluia Cerâmicas

 

Delightful patio decoarative panel

 

Archway entrance to courtyard

 

 

Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy

© Janmiko1

 

 

Contemporary courtyard with an ideally located sun symbol and fire pit

Designrulz

 

 

courtyard of the Riad Jaaneman in Marrakech

Courtyard of the Riad Jaaneman in Marrakech

 

 

 

Islamic geometric tiled courtyard in Morocco

 

Myouman ji Temple garden courtyard

Myouman ji Temple garden courtyard

Hide and reveal Miegakure (見え隠れ) design

 

Spandau,Citadel lifesize figure sculptures

Spandau,Citadel fortress courtyard

 

 

Satoyama garden courtyard

Satoyama garden courtyard, Japan

 

 

Spainish style central courtyard

 

 

Hugh Cornwall Robertson large floor vase

Hugh Cornwall Robertson — large floor vase

Useful for adding a splash of red.

 

 

petite courtyard

Lush hidden courtyard

 

Hoachlander Davis Photography--Landscape Architecture by Allen Russ

Landscape Architecture by Allen Russ

Hoachlander Davis Photography

 

 

Royal Mansour Hotel, Marrakech

Rahef Design

 

 

Orientalist tile effect

Orientalist tile effect realised with Mamounia Sky rug featuring Persian geometrics

 

 

natural stone paving Japanese style

Raised natural stone Japan style paving

 

 

Minimalist Indoor Zen Garden

 

 

zengreen piece1-Joan Relke

Zengreen sculptural ceramic piece by Joan Relke

 

 

Intricately detailed Moroccan courtyard

 

 

Climbing sinuous ghost gum as the central feature balanced with the grounding horizontal lines of the timber slat wall

Patio ODS Architecture

 

70s courtyard slim aarons

‘Barbados Bliss’ 70s courtyard by Slim Aarons

 

 

Stone wall framed by classical pillars with large fountain

Stone wall framed by classical pillars and arches

 

Turquoise and white courtyard

 

 Cypress tree lined courtyard, Verona, Italy

 

large-terracott planters

Large terracotta pots in courtyard

 

Sublime  Morocco colour palette – duck egg blue and burnt orange with hints of chalky jade and salmon.

 

 

Riad Yasmine, hotel in Marrakech Morocco

Riad Yasmine, private boutique hotel in Marrakech Morocco

 

 

Sunset- Phoenix garden cactus wall with terracotta planters

Sunset Phoenix garden cactus wall with terracotta planters

 

 

Villa in La Quinta California

Villa courtyard in La Quinta, California

 

 

Babylonian hanging garden courtyaard

Babylonian inspired courtyard granduer

 

blue and white courtyard

Greek inspired blue and white courtyard, inlaid pavers

 

Sail Again' Nic Noblique,-Large-Blue-Powder-Coated-Steel-Sculpture

‘Sail Again’  — Nic Noblique

An abstracted form near the entance is good for attracting movement

 

 

Jay-Winters--Moorish tiled Garden Fountain

Moorish styled tiled garden fountain

Jay Winters–flickr

 

 

Mirei Shigemori Garden Museum

                                                                                                                                                         A Classic Japanese courtyard

Mirei Shigemori Garden Museum

 

 

Dubai courtyard

Antonovich Design – Dubai

 

 

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6 Comments

  1. Posted June 24, 2021 at 12:30 pm | Permalink

    Hi Robbie, a delightful selection of splendid courtyards. Each one is unique in its combinations of design, colour and interest so it is really impossible to choose a favourite….. cheers..Les

  2. Sue Barstow
    Posted June 25, 2021 at 8:11 am | Permalink

    Thankyou for this and all your great presentations of art and environment .

    Living in Nth Queensland next to the Coral Sea we love seeing

    into all these diverse worlds that you capture in your emails to

    us l
    Thank you again

  3. Asha
    Posted April 4, 2022 at 3:14 am | Permalink

    Delightful courtyards. They remind me of Zanzi ar…wonderful it is just to look at and imagine having one like that…kudos!

  4. Charles baurin
    Posted April 24, 2022 at 5:03 am | Permalink

    Could someone get me in touch with the owner or architect of the villa in La Quinta, California (see up in this folder).
    Thanks,
    Charles

  5. Alex Henry Garcia
    Posted July 17, 2023 at 8:15 am | Permalink

    Fantastique!💙

  6. Alex Henry Garcia
    Posted July 17, 2023 at 8:16 am | Permalink

    Fantastique-ness!💙

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