Each of the materials was chosen for a balance of richness and simplicity. The Kebony decking continues the rich color tone set by the oiled Cedar shingle and traditional Japanese Shou Sugi Ban siding on the rear facade of the house. The California Gold Slate for the rear yard patio adds additional texture and depth to the ground plane. The powder-coated metal railings enclose the deck and partition the dog run and bike parking area from the main rear yard. The eclectic plant mix blends California natives with other Mediterranean plants for a variety of color, texture and seasonality.

This very social couple were tying the knot and looking to create a space to host their friends and community, while also adding much needed living space to their 900 square foot cottage. The couple had a strong emphasis on growing edible and medicinal plants. With many friends from a community garden project they were involved in and years of learning about permaculture, they wanted to incorporate many of the elements that the permaculture movement advocates for. We came up with a California native and edible garden that incorporates three composting systems, a gray water system, rain water harvesting, a cob pizza oven, and outdoor kitchen. A majority of the materials incorporated into the hardscape were found on site or salvaged within 20-mile of the property. The garden also had amenities like an outhouse and shower for guests they would put up in the converted garage. Coming into this project there was and An old clawfoot bathtub on site was used as a worm composting bin, and for no other reason than the cuteness factor, the bath tub composter had to stay. Added to that was a compost tumbler, and last but not least we erected an outhouse with a composting toilet system (The Nature's Head Composting Toilet). We developed a gray water system incorporating the water that came out of the washing machine and from the outdoor shower to help water bananas, gingers, and canailles. All the down spouts coming off the roof were sent into depressions in the front yard. The depressions were planted with carex grass, which can withstand, and even thrive on, submersion in water that rain events bring to the swaled-out area. Aesthetically, carex reads as a lawn space in keeping with the cottage feeling of the home. As with any full-fledged permaculture garden, an element of natural building needed to be incorporated. So, the heart and hearth of the garden is a cob pizza oven going into an outdoor kitchen with a built-in bench. Cob is a natural building technique that involves sculpting a mixture of sand, soil, and straw around an internal structure. In this case, the internal structure is comprised of an old built-in brick incinerator, and rubble collected on site. Besides using the collected rubble as a base for the cob structure, other salvaged elements comprise major features of the project: the front fence was reconstructed from the preexisting fence; a majority of the stone edging was created by stones found while clearing the landscape in preparation for construction; the arbor was constructed from old wash line poles found on site; broken bricks pulled from another project were mixed with concrete and cast into vegetable beds, creating durable insulated planters while reducing the amount of concrete used ( and they also just have a unique effect); pathways and patio areas were laid using concrete broken out of the driveway and previous pathways. (When a little more broken concrete was needed, we busted out an old pad at another project a few blocks away.) Far from a perfectly polished garden, this landscape now serves as a lush and inviting space for my clients, their friends and family to gather and enjoy each other’s company. Days after construction was finished the couple hosted their wedding reception in the garden—everyone danced, drank and celebrated, christening the garden and the union!

Mid-sized eclectic front yard partial sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with with privacy feature, natural stone pavers and a wood fence for spring.

This Moroccan inspired Rooftop Garden in Chelsea features many outdoor rooms with pergolas, fencing, fiberglass containers, statues, and outdoor seating. This layered container garden is a plethora of different specimen plants- both flowering and evergreen, which provide for brilliant contrasting textures as well as a greater sense of depth.

A stucco pony wall with a quartzite cap and hand-hewn gate around the yard creates a feeling of enclosure but not isolation.
Small eclectic front yard full sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with with rock feature, natural stone pavers and a wood fence for spring.

Front yard with decomposed granite paths with stone bench and rock water feature
Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic front yard full sun xeriscape for spring in Los Angeles with with rock feature, decomposed granite and a wood fence.

California native wildflowers mix with ornamental grasses for a dramatic show in spring and fall.
Mid-sized eclectic front yard full sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with with flowerbed, natural stone pavers and a wood fence for spring.

Low water landscaping with drought tolerant edibles. Outdoor seating area, dining area, new hot tub, California no-mow lawn, low water lawn, fruit tree guilds, berm with cal-native plants, chicken coup, veggie garden, urbanite wall to separate different section of the gardens, wood look tiles.

Large eclectic side yard full sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a wood fence, with privacy feature and decking for spring.

pavimento in teck trattato con oli naturali
Photo of a large eclectic front yard full sun formal garden in Other with with privacy feature, decking and a wood fence.

A simple lawn and landscape is delineated with garden walls built out of a recycled concrete patio. Concrete mow curbs separate lawn from landscape and integrated natural boulders add to the visual interest of this garden.

Small eclectic front yard full sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with a garden path, gravel and a wood fence.

The instructions were clear. Make it Cozy and comforting. Use natural materials, don't hurt the environment, use lots of native plants, create shade, attract bees, butterflies and humming birds. BELandscape design, set out to create a backyard that would feel like an escape for this hard working couple. Scroll to the 'Before' photos for full appreciation of this backyard transformation.

Front yard with decomposed granite paths with stone bench and rock water feature
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic front yard full sun xeriscape for spring in Los Angeles with with rock feature, decomposed granite and a wood fence.

Nestled in lively East London, our clients owned a compact garden with established jungle planting. With a planning permit to build a contemporary ground floor extension, they were keen to have a picture-perfect garden to admire from their bifold doors. Having recently acquired two Spanish Greyhounds, the garden needed to be a dog-friendly zone that retained a jungle-like feel. We played on angles and perspectives to give this petite space the illusion of depth.

Design ideas for an eclectic backyard garden in London with a wood fence.

Each of the materials was chosen for a balance of richness and simplicity. The Kebony decking continues the rich color tone set by the oiled Cedar shingle and traditional Japanese Shou Sugi Ban siding on the rear facade of the house. The California Gold Slate for the rear yard patio adds additional texture and depth to the ground plane. The powder-coated metal railings enclose the deck and partition the dog run and bike parking area from the main rear yard. The eclectic plant mix blends California natives with other Mediterranean plants for a variety of color, texture and seasonality.

Provided a new fence for privacy from the street with an arbor for a focal point. Phase II the owner will add wood burning art to the arbor beams. The rain chain replaces a standard downspout for a customized look.

Dry-stack non-mortar hillside terracing with natural stone. Frist, we removed about 3 tons of heavy juniper and then terraced the area in a gorgeous exponentially curving design.