Four options for a new back yard

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”

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”

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”

It’s all about the views!

A series of superimposed view paths cross the back yard in two directions: fire, water, landscape, entry. Fire from the master bedroom to the fire pit, water from the house to the golf course pond, passing over the pool and spa, landscape from a sitting place under a tree to a formal citrus orchard. BeContinue reading “It’s all about the views!”

Views to impress

This is a view lot, so views should be impressive both on and off the property. From the master bedroom, two vanishing edges. From the great room, the long axis of the pool. From other rooms, the cool spa / water lounge. To complete this, lots of low, structural plants and ornamental grasses. Not allContinue reading “Views to impress”

The plants are in!

Our project in Davis is coming along nicely as plants and irrigation fill in the design. Without the plants (and some other elements) it was much more stark – click here to see our last set of images. Next come the rest of the irrigation, then bark and lighting. Then it’s time to relax andContinue reading “The plants are in!”

The ultimate pool house!

This is the pool house that’s got it all: entertainment, dining table, bar counter, storage space, showers, and restroom. The kitchen boasts a wine conditioner, beer taps, warming drawers, a gas grill and lots of storage. There’s radiant heating for cold nights and a ceiling fan for warm days. Not to mention a great view ofContinue reading “The ultimate pool house!”

A new landscape takes form in Davis

The concept was to have overlapping hardscape – concrete and flagstones – alternate with vegetation and water. This project is a remodel, so we wanted the new landscape to look as though it was designed with the pool. Sweeping curves nestle around the pool, leading the eye to a sitting area at the back ofContinue reading “A new landscape takes form in Davis”