This small backyard in East Sacramento has a gas fire pit surrounded by a curved seat wall, linking to another curved seat wall on a deck that flows around two large sycamores. There’s a cooking area, place for a table, and in time beer kegs in the garage will service a counter through taps installed in the wall.
For patio gardens, plants tend to be overhead canopies combined with peripheral massing to maximize usable space. To accommodate two large trees on site, we created a deck that could float over their roots to provide flat space without excessive excavation in the root zone. Although the finished garden appears simple and elegant, the planning and construction process involved a lot of collaboration with the contractor to make sure all the details fit beautifully.
Working out the details of the curved wood seat wall
You can even include the client’s dog for extra realism
Computer rendering of the deck and seating area
Colorful fabric cushions will top the wall and form backrests supported by cables.
curved seat wall, cushions on the way
Crushed rock will fill in behind; mulch in front. Plants will grow, as the project matures.
The steel header, separating mulch from gravel is screwed to the concrete so it can’t wander.
A level, a drill, screwdriver, clamps, saws and other tools all take turns in the construction process
This was a complicated thing to build, and the fit was constantly checked and adjusted
The curved wood seat wall’s cap pieces needed to vary at the end for strength and appearance.
curved seat wall
All the cracks line up for better unity. The wood has since been stained for more uniform color.
These sedges will grow out of the crushed rock
The plants grow through holes in the weed barrier fabric. The fabric also keeps the crushed rock and soil from mixing.
This FX Luxor transformer will let the owners control the lighting using their cell phones. Want something more subtle? Just call up a program!
Relocated air conditioner behind a low wood screen
Published by mike
Mike is a licensed landscape architect. He's also an artist, photographer and occasional chef. Luciole Design specializes in sustainable, contemporary, modern landscape design - and traditional landscape styles that fit into California's Mediterranean climate. Sacramento, California.
View more posts
