After

The owners of a newly-remodeled home wanted a blooming Mediterranean Style Garden with pastel colored plants in their front yard. So, we created a curving, mortar-less path made of blue stone for a casual Mediterranean look. We planted it with flowers that bloom often in the Palo Alto climate and tall grasses – which also happen to be medium water-usage plants — saving the owners money.

After

This backyard garden space was a dust bowl in the summer, and a mud pit in the winter. The owners wanted to replace the mud pit with an earthy-colored Asian garden, while also creating a small, cozy place for their young daughter to play. We created a sense of enclosure with dense plantings that reflect the Asian sensibility, and color schemes that match the interior of their house. Of course, we also put in a circular lawn, which gives small feet a great place to play.  

After

A young, working couple with boys wanted to transform their tangle of overgrown shrubs into a casual space for entertaining, play and family dining. It was also important that the front garden be sustainable and low water-usage — so they opted for no lawn. We planted rich, Mediterranean hues of blues and grays along with water-friendly, modern grasses and lavender. We also threw in the occasional pot for a spot of color — that requires no water.

After

A couple with three teenage kids wanted a big lawn for neighborhood kids to play on, while also hiding the blank wall by the entry. For their casual, ranch-style home we installed a huge lawn and then appended rose trellises against the blank walls to add depth. Along the pathway we planted shades of purple, and tall grasses to complement their ranch style home — while keeping the whole look very casual.