Designed with Terralinda Design, Inc.

This modern backyard retreat harmoniously blends contemporary design with Japanese garden influences, creating a serene yet functional space for the whole family.

The landscape is anchored by an expansive lawn of lush, green grass, providing ample space for children to play and a large dog to roam freely. This open area serves as a counterpoint to the more structured elements of the design, balancing active use with aesthetic appeal.

Surrounding the lawn, a palette of purple and white flowers creates a sophisticated color scheme. Plantings including Lavender, Salvia, and Russian Sage provide waves of purple, while white flowering shrubs like hydrangeas and gardenias offer a crisp contrast. Ornamental grasses in various heights add texture and movement to the landscape.

Modern, poured-in-place concrete pavers form pathways and patios throughout the garden. These large-format pavers, with their clean lines and smooth finish, contrast beautifully with the softer textures of the plantings. The pathways meander through the space, encouraging exploration and providing definition to different areas of the garden.

A spacious deck wraps around the residence, crafted from weather-resistant composite material in a warm, neutral tone. This deck serves multiple purposes:

It provides seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

Offers a generous seating area outside the primary suite for private relaxation.

Facilitates easy circulation around the home.

A focal point of the garden is the reading nook nestled under the spreading branches of a mature deodar cedar. This intimate space features aan angular deck slightly elevated from the ground. Subtle lighting is integrated into the deck, creating a cozy atmosphere for reading or contemplation.

The design allows for future expansion, with designated areas for an outdoor kitchen and a hot tub. These spaces are thoughtfully positioned to maintain the garden's flow and aesthetic while adding functionality.

This landscape design successfully creates a multi-functional outdoor space that respects Japanese garden principles of balance and harmony while incorporating modern aesthetics and practical features for an active family. It offers areas for play, relaxation, and entertainment, all within a cohesive and visually striking design.

Photos by N. Warren and L.K.

Designed with Terralinda Design, Inc.

This residential landscape project combines modern aesthetics with functional design to create an inviting and dynamic outdoor space:

The property is defined by a low, open slat fence that provides a sense of boundary without sacrificing visibility or airiness. This modern fence, constructed of horizontal wood slats with generous spacing between them, allows glimpses of the landscape beyond while still offering a degree of privacy.

Gabion walls serve as both structural and decorative elements throughout the landscape. These wire cages filled with locally sourced stones add texture and a raw, industrial edge to the design. They're used to create retaining walls, and a base for an outdoor seating area, this element also provides some play possibilities for 2 active boys!

The hardscaping is dominated by large, poured-in-place concrete pavers and entry walkway. These sleek, minimalist pavers create clean lines and a smooth surface for the entry to the home. Their oversized format (approximately 3' x 5') contributes to the modern feel and provides a striking contrast to the more organic elements of the design.

A generous lawn area is incorporated to accommodate children's play. This open, grassy space is strategically positioned to be visible from the house, allowing for easy supervision. 

Nestled against the house is a modern gravel area with boulders and minimal plantings. These boulder and gravel combinations serve as low-maintenance, drought-tolerant alternatives to traditional planted beds in some areas. This is yet another element that provides scope for active play.

Rain chains replace traditional downspouts, adding both function and beauty to the home's exterior. These copper chains guide rainwater from the roof to the ground, creating a mesmerizing water feature during rainstorms. At the base of each rain chain, a small bed of river rocks helps to manage water runoff and prevents erosion.

Additionally, a generous rain basin with appropriate plants helps gather and sequester water during heavy rain events. 

This landscape design successfully blends modern materials and techniques with natural elements to create an outdoor space that is both visually striking and highly functional for a family with active children. It offers areas for relaxation, play, and entertainment while maintaining a cohesive, contemporary aesthetic that complements the home's architecture.

Designed with Terralinda Design, Inc.

This landscape project transforms a backyard into a safe, functional, and beautiful space for aging in place. The design features a series of accessible trough-style raised planters at comfortable heights for easy edible gardening without bending. These planters are filled with a mix of vegetables, herbs, and compact fruit trees, promoting healthy eating and gentle activity.

Adequate lighting is strategically placed throughout the yard, illuminating pathways, seating areas, and garden features to ensure safety during evening hours. Motion-activated lights near the house provide additional security.

A new, spacious shed offers ample storage for gardening tools and outdoor equipment, reducing clutter and minimizing trip hazards. 

A dedicated pollinator garden bursts with native flowering plants, creating a vibrant ecosystem that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds for the patio right outside the primary suite. This low-maintenance area provides year-round visual interest and supports local biodiversity.

Balancing these features is a large, open lawn area perfect for a dog to play and exercise. The lawn is surrounded by smooth, wide pathways that allow for easy navigation with a mobility device if needed in the future.

Comfortable seating areas with supportive furniture are placed in shaded spots, encouraging outdoor relaxation and social gatherings. The overall design prioritizes accessibility, safety, and engagement with nature, creating a backyard retreat that supports active, independent living as one ages.

Designed with Terralinda Design, Inc.

This residential landscape project transforms a small backyard into a multifunctional outdoor living space, blending modern elements with classic garden design:

The centerpiece of the backyard is a sleek, modern patio constructed of poured-in-place concrete pavers. These large-format pavers, with their smooth finish and clean lines, create a contemporary foundation for the main lounging area. The patio is designed to comfortably accommodate seating for 4-6 people around a central fire pit. This fire pit, a modern gas-powered design serves as a focal point and gathering spot for cool evenings.

Adjacent to the patio, a small wooden deck provides an elevated seating area. This deck, built from warm-toned hardwood or a high-quality composite material, offers a slight change in elevation that helps define separate zones within the compact space. Overhead, a triangular shade sail in a neutral color provides protection from the sun, creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere. This area is perfect for a small dining set or a couple of comfortable lounge chairs, ideal for morning coffee or quiet reading time.

Contrasting with the modern elements, a tiny Parterre garden adds a touch of classic formality to the space. This miniature formal garden is characterized by its symmetrical design and geometric patterns, typically formed by low hedges, in this case Teucrium is used.. Within these defined spaces, a variety of aromatic herbs and edible plants are cultivated, such as:

Lavender and rosemary for fragrance

Thyme and sage for both scent and culinary use

Compact varieties of tomatoes or peppers for edibles

Dwarf fruit trees in containers to maximize the use of vertical space

This Parterre not only provides visual interest but also engages the senses with its scents and textures, while offering fresh herbs and produce for the kitchen.

To tie the different areas together:

A narrow pathway of smaller pavers or stepping stones leads from the main patio to the deck and Parterre garden.

Strategic lighting is incorporated, including subtle LED strips along the deck steps, solar-powered lanterns for the Parterre, and perhaps a statement pendant light above the deck.

Container plantings with a mix of ornamental grasses, succulents, and flowering perennials add softness and color to the hardscaped areas.

This design efficiently uses the limited space to create distinct areas for relaxation, dining, and gardening. The combination of modern materials in the patio and deck with the classic formality of the Parterre garden creates a unique and personalized outdoor retreat that feels both contemporary and timeless.

Designed with Terralinda Design, Inc.

Installed by Caliscaping.

This dynamic landscape project caters to a growing family's diverse needs, centering around a playful circular lawn that serves as the heart of the design. Radiating outward from this central green space are several distinct "rooms," each with its own purpose:

An adult lounging area features comfortable seating and a fire pit, perfect for relaxation and quiet conversations.

A heritage rose garden showcases a collection of fragrant, classic varieties, offering a touch of romance and tradition. Nestled in among the roses are a variety of plants that will attract pollinators.

An edible garden with raised beds and espaliered fruit trees caters to the family chef, providing fresh produce and herbs year-round.

A covered patio adjacent to the house serves as an outdoor dining and entertaining space with ample seating for family gatherings.

Connecting these areas are curving pathways that echo the central lawn's circular shape. A custom shed, designed to complement the home's architecture, provides storage for toys, bikes, and gardening equipment.

This thoughtful design creates a harmonious outdoor space that grows with the family, offering areas for play, relaxation, gardening, and entertainment. The circular theme promotes a sense of unity while allowing each family member to find their own favorite spot in the garden.

This postage stamp backyard was transformed into a sleek and usable space for family with young children. With the garage turned into an office the driveway was no longer needed. We used this opportunity to add a fruit tree and lush plantings to make the walk from the gate to the office more pleasant. A new deck leads to the lower patio dining area with climate appropriate, low-maintenance plants.

Design created with Sarah Herman Landscape Design. Pictures taken by Sarah Herman.

Using the clients love of hot, contrasting color this barren front yard is now a bright spot on a street in El Cerritto.

Designed with Planted Earth Design.

Designed with St. John Landscapes

This streetscape landscape project for a church creates an inviting and vibrant entrance using California native plants that are both low-water and low-maintenance. A majestic palm serves as the centerpiece, providing a dramatic focal point visible from afar. Structural elements are provided by colorful Leucadendrons and architectural Agaves and Yuccas., while clumps of grasses add texture and movement. This design not only attracts people with its beauty but also demonstrates environmental stewardship through its use of water-wise, locally adapted plants. The result is a welcoming, sustainable landscape that reflects the church's connection to its California setting.

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