This rock pathway connects the front yard via a side yard pathway to the backyard creating a beautiful aesthetic flow that compliments the homes beauty and curb appeal.

These homeowners were looking to up their hosting game by modernizing their property to create the ultimate entertainment space. A custom outdoor kitchen was added with a top of the line Delta Heat grill and a special nook for a Big Green Egg. Flagstone was added to create asymmetrical walkways throughout the yard that extended into a ring around the fire pit. Four rectangular trellises were added along the fence and shed, with an all metal pergola located at the back of the pool. This unique structure immediately draws the eye and adds a playful, artistic element to the rest of the space. The use of various sized rocks, gravel, and flagstone give a rough texture that creates a symbiosis with the metalwork. Silver Falls Dichondra creates a beautiful contrast to the rocks and can be found all over the property along with various other grasses, ferns, and agave. A large area of gravel rests on the side of the house, giving the client room to park a recreational vehicle. In front, a privacy fence was added along one of the property lines, leading into a drought resistant, eco-friendly section of yard. This fence, coupled with a giant boulder, doubles as a safety precaution in case drivers miss the turn and run into their lawn. This updated landscaping adds an effortless flow for guests to move from the front yard to the back while creating a very open, welcoming feel to all who enter.

This project scope was to take a boring builder back yard and converted it to a SW oasis with drainage, walkways, raised beds, fire pit, plants, trees, mulch, outdoor lighting, irrigation and more. No more boring builder yard here!!

When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

These are some of our design and build landscapes with sustainable, eco-friendly design practices in mind. Many of these were Cash for Grass rebate customers or Waterwise Conversion programs where money was awarded through local water districts and agencies.

Stepping stones leading across the stream linking the clay paver pathway to the pond side seating area
На фото: сад с прудом среднего размера на заднем дворе в стиле кантри с покрытием из гальки

Front garden view with feature cloud pruned tree
Стильный дизайн: солнечный, осенний участок и сад среднего размера на переднем дворе в современном стиле с камнем в ландшафтном дизайне, хорошей освещенностью, покрытием из гальки и с деревянным забором - последний тренд

Идея дизайна: летний регулярный сад среднего размера на заднем дворе в стиле рустика с уличным камином, полуденной тенью, покрытием из гальки и с деревянным забором

To Design completed site design services for this home in Avon, Connecticut. Site features include circular lawn, retaining walls, patio design, and planting and walkway design.

Nature Friendly Landscape
На фото: солнечный, летний участок и сад среднего размера на заднем дворе в классическом стиле с хорошей освещенностью и покрытием из гальки

Стильный дизайн: большой солнечный, летний участок и сад на заднем дворе в классическом стиле с хорошей освещенностью и покрытием из гальки - последний тренд

Contemporary townhouse wildlife garden, with meandering gravel paths through dynamic herbaceous planting with corten water features.
Источник вдохновения для домашнего уюта: солнечный регулярный сад среднего размера на заднем дворе в современном стиле с клумбами, хорошей освещенностью и покрытием из гальки

Front yard renovation, river rock beds, boulders, mulch beds, edging, plantings
Свежая идея для дизайна: солнечный регулярный сад среднего размера на переднем дворе с газонным бордюром, хорошей освещенностью и покрытием из гальки - отличное фото интерьера

This xeric entry acts to transition the home's contemporary design to the very native location of the home. Hardy plants with low water needs were selected to provide year round interest. The dry streambed does double duty, helping to move a large amount of water from roof gutters and providing a nice accent to the landscape.

Пример оригинального дизайна: солнечный регулярный сад среднего размера на переднем дворе в восточном стиле с хорошей освещенностью и покрытием из гальки

Источник вдохновения для домашнего уюта: участок и сад среднего размера, зимой на переднем дворе в классическом стиле с полуденной тенью и покрытием из гальки

This coastal farmhouse design is destined to be an instant classic. This classic and cozy design has all of the right exterior details, including gray shingle siding, crisp white windows and trim, metal roofing stone accents and a custom cupola atop the three car garage. It also features a modern and up to date interior as well, with everything you'd expect in a true coastal farmhouse. With a beautiful nearly flat back yard, looking out to a golf course this property also includes abundant outdoor living spaces, a beautiful barn and an oversized koi pond for the owners to enjoy.

Modern home landscape design in Sonoma County
Источник вдохновения для домашнего уюта: большой весенний засухоустойчивый сад в стиле модернизм с забором, полуденной тенью, покрытием из гальки и с деревянным забором

This wooden area was overgrown and had no functional use for the homeowners. We were able to clear out the area and create useful space for them to enjoy the outdoors. By adding a dry stream bed we alleviated any potential issues with standing water, a mixture of medium river gravel and Glacier boulders were used in this feature. This project also included adding a seating area, a flagstone pathway, using Oakfield steppers, that provides access from the driveway. We added in greenery that is easier for the homeowner to maintain and still gives you the rustic appeal of being in the woods. In the front yard the walkway was completed using Copthorne Liberty pavers and Coral Bells were planted along the entrance.