This is an example of why we get professional surveys. We sketched a pool that encroached on some rock outcroppings on the slope, not readily visible from the house. The survey also gave us the exact slope, useful for calculating retaining wall heights, steps, terracing… This was supposed to be four equal sized images, sinceContinue reading “Four options for a new back yard”
Author Archives: mike
Finally! Irrigation AI
Although it’s been a while that CAD programs were supposed to automate the creation of irrigation plans, it looks like they’re finally doing so in a usable way. We can create graphics that auto-calculate (mostly), pipe sizing (mostly), pressure loss calcs (mostly). Why “mostly”? Because the plan is schematic, so pressure loss won’t be what’sContinue reading “Finally! Irrigation AI”
Miles of ideas: remote consults + design
We developed workflows to work remotely because of COVID, but it turns out that they’re great for designing landscapes that are impractically distant. This design would have stuck us in the car for about five hours. This composite image uses multiple data sources, plus input from our client, to create something “close enough” for aContinue reading “Miles of ideas: remote consults + design”
Winery Design: Creating Culinary Destinations
Wineries are for learning, socializing, being entertained. They should be beautiful, artistic and most of all worth repeat visits. A winery can host tastings, lectures, cooking demonstrations, organic gardening, tours, bocce tournaments, weddings, parties, anniversaries… Our goal is to create a unique look and feel, a sense of place, a unique brand that dovetails withContinue reading “Winery Design: Creating Culinary Destinations”
Heat wave flowers
If it’s 108º F, you move out of the sun. But if you’re a plant, you’re stuck. Unfortunately, every summer in Sacramento seems to have more and more days of blasting triple digit heat. This time, it’s different: it rains, too. Last night, lightning ripped across the sky, rain pelted the landscape and yet theContinue reading “Heat wave flowers”
Provence in Sacramento
When you can’t get away as much as you like, create your destination where you live. You can play pétanque, dip in the pool, relax on the deck, entertain, enjoy a glass of Côtes-du-Ventoux with your friends. No arduous plane trip required! Maybe you can even speak a bit of French… Materials: Zellige tiles inContinue reading “Provence in Sacramento”
Romantic style by day and night
That’s romantic as in movie stars and moguls hanging out in an outdoor resort and lounge in Palm Springs. Except this garden is in Sacramento, so no Hollywood types unless they’re friends of the owners. As for the glamour, well, that’s all there! Modern desert style breeze block This lets breezes through, of course. ButContinue reading “Romantic style by day and night”
A tapestry of colors for a front yard
Low-growing plants create a tapestry of color, punctuated by bold agaves, backed by taller shrubs and trees. It’s a great place for hummingbirds and pollinators, too. This garden has been growing for several years now, and has moved into the phase where maintenance centers on keeping the plants in bound as opposed to letting weedsContinue reading “A tapestry of colors for a front yard”
Butterflies in the garden
Our butterfly bush gets numerous visitors as butterflies emerge. The garden also gets the occasional dragonfly who snatches small flying insects in the air and devours them. So far, we’ve had about six species of butterflies and three species of dragonflies. butterflies Butterflies have scaly wings, hence their name in Latin, lepidoptera. So if oneContinue reading “Butterflies in the garden”
Concept for a sloping site
We’ve been busy doing consults. They’re not affected much by social distancing since they’re outdoors and we email back the drawings. Staying home in a wonderful new garden space is not a bad thing! New Style A bold, modern desert look is up next, transforming an ordinary suburban landscape into a bold, water conserving statement.Continue reading “Concept for a sloping site”