Introduction What is more fundamental to the human spirit than the need to connect to nature? As we become an increasingly harried and technologically driven society, many of us develop an even greater longing for the solace of a forest, the sound of a waterfall, the tapestry of a sunset. If you, too, feel this desire beginning to well up, it doesn't mean you have to move to the country or seclude yourself on the top of a mountain. As you will see in this book, there are many wonderful ways to strengthen your relationship to the outdoors, and it doesn't matter where you live or how much money you have. Beautiful, soul-soothing outdoor spaces are for everyone, and this book was written with that thought firmly in mind. My goal when researching and writing this book was to present dwellings that connect to their site primarily through their architecture. There is a common thread here, and it's pretty straightforward: great contemporary design. The backyards and outdoor spaces featured in these pages all reveal a sensitive response to the site and showcase ways to enhance the sensory aspects of the outdoor experience. Excerpted from Ultimate Backyard: Inspired Ideas for Outdoor Living by Michelle Kodis All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.