Outdoor Photos

All of the succulents and drought tolerant plants are either flowering or in full color at this time of year.
Inspiration for a small contemporary front yard full sun xeriscape for summer in San Diego with a retaining wall, river rock and a metal fence.

These clients bought a Mid-century house with a vintage landscape that left something to be desired. Both the clients as well as myself have a great appreciation for midcentury design and its clean lines but the majority of the landscapes found in Mid-century housing developments across America miss the mark when it comes to more current sensibilities. The midcentury American philosophy was that man should exert dominance over the land and that hedge trimmers and lawn mowers are mans best friends. Today more enlighten landscape designers strive to create landscapes that work with nature and not dominate it. In this project we did just that. These home owners loved the view of the mountains from their back yard in Santa Barbara, the way the warm colored sand stone boulders peak through muted greens of the Chaparral. We designed this landscape to be of its place. Sourcing local sandstone boulders like to ones found in the mountains behind the house we used then to build a low retaining wall. By breaking the sloping land into two flatter sections we are able to slow down the speed at which water evacuates the property giving it a chance to soak into the soil. This allows the landscape to work like a natural mini water shed, keeping the storm drains and then the oceans overwhelmed with polluted water and providing more water to the plants with less irrigation. When it came to the plants, the clients wanted low water color and texture. To celebrate the fact that the house is located in Santa Barbara county we wanted to incorporate the muted green tones, with pops of colorful foliage. Using a mix of course lots of California native plants and Mediterranean adapted plants we created a plant plate that is beautiful, low maintenance and flutters with native fauna such as bird, and butterflies and bees.

Photo of a midcentury front yard xeriscape in San Francisco with a retaining wall and river rock.

Design ideas for a large traditional backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Kent with a retaining wall, river rock and a stone fence.

This dry stream bed helps to direct driveway water in the proper drain path and adds an beautiful accent to the landscape
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun driveway in Denver with a retaining wall and river rock.

Lowered seating view bespoke design to allow a chiminea or fire pit for group seating on steps and purpose made seating. Lowered to allow privacy and snug/ warm position in the ground out of the wind. Designed based on a coastal sand dune.

A formal and thoughtfully sized ‘Cavalier’ zoysia lawn defined with custom steel edging. Photographer: Greg Thomas, http://optphotography.com/

Large transitional front yard garden in Minneapolis with a retaining wall and river rock.

Our client contracted us to design and build a functional and interesting water front project that had to be family friendly!! They wanted a cozy fire pit area that also contained a 3 piece natural rock bubbler. They also wanted a spa area with lounger space for sunbathing as well as a beach area for sandcastles and beach toy storage. No expense was spared with a custom pergola, natural rock retaining and steps as well as landscape lighting and well placed trees and shrubs. Concrete edge and aggregate beds make for a low maintenance dream yard!!

Multiple tiers are created using natural stripstone retaining walls. This allows for practical, level areas that were previously not useful. Multiple levels create areas of interest as the eye travels from tier to tier.

This project was a full make over of a small city front yard. The steps were failing and problematic slope in front at the side walk. We redesigned with a dry stalked wall, relocated the steps and added new landscaping. The owner then installed a new driveway.

The existing excavated limestone boulders were strategically repositioned to not only serve as functional components but also as visually striking features to the modified design of the dry creek pathways and planted areas. The trees are viewed as an opportunity to utilize dark Whittlesey mulch to provide contrast, water retention, and tie in to other defined beds and oak clusters on the property. The front walk is comprised of sawn limestone pavers surrounded by crushed limestone rock mulch and accented by river rock dry creek bed that follows through to the backyard. The existing overwhelmed downspouts were replaced with rain chains, which not only effectively managed the water flow but also added a touch of elegance that matched the home's style. To work in tandem with the rain chains, 8” limestone block splash pads were installed beneath them to act as splash pads. The limestone block beautifully matches and enhances the existing architecture of the property, as well as the materials used throughout the landscaping.

These clients bought a Mid-century house with a vintage landscape that left something to be desired. Both the clients as well as myself have a great appreciation for midcentury design and its clean lines but the majority of the landscapes found in Mid-century housing developments across America miss the mark when it comes to more current sensibilities. The midcentury American philosophy was that man should exert dominance over the land and that hedge trimmers and lawn mowers are mans best friends. Today more enlighten landscape designers strive to create landscapes that work with nature and not dominate it. In this project we did just that. These home owners loved the view of the mountains from their back yard in Santa Barbara, the way the warm colored sand stone boulders peak through muted greens of the Chaparral. We designed this landscape to be of its place. Sourcing local sandstone boulders like to ones found in the mountains behind the house we used then to build a low retaining wall. By breaking the sloping land into two flatter sections we are able to slow down the speed at which water evacuates the property giving it a chance to soak into the soil. This allows the landscape to work like a natural mini water shed, keeping the storm drains and then the oceans overwhelmed with polluted water and providing more water to the plants with less irrigation. When it came to the plants, the clients wanted low water color and texture. To celebrate the fact that the house is located in Santa Barbara county we wanted to incorporate the muted green tones, with pops of colorful foliage. Using a mix of course lots of California native plants and Mediterranean adapted plants we created a plant plate that is beautiful, low maintenance and flutters with native fauna such as bird, and butterflies and bees.

Our customers main reason for this project was erosion control, we built this basalt wall to help retain the soil. We also planted lots of Vinca Minor to help with retention as well!

Photo of a midcentury front yard xeriscape in San Francisco with a retaining wall and river rock.

Dry river creek, with contain water with retaining wall, fresh sod installed as well as new irrigation zone.
Photo of a mid-sized modern front yard partial sun xeriscape in Atlanta with a retaining wall and river rock.

Rain garden
Inspiration for a contemporary front yard full sun garden in Other with a retaining wall and river rock.

This unique garden features wall built from concrete recycled from an old patio.
Design ideas for a small asian backyard partial sun garden for spring in Los Angeles with a retaining wall and river rock.

Custom boulder retaining wall with planting beds along the side yard.
This is an example of an expansive traditional side yard garden in Minneapolis with a retaining wall and river rock.