Beverly & Fairfax Lawn Replacement Design

The goals here included new drought-tolerant plantings in place of the lawn, punctuated by large boulders, a new pathway from the sidewalk, and better access from the driveway.

When I arrived, the clients were considering removing the entire front wall along the front of the house because it was stifling the flow to the front door. The only way to enter the front door was from the driveway, along the back of this wall.

BEFORE

AFTER: New Pathway and Gate in Wall

After some discussion we decided to cut an opening in the center of the wall, preserving a nice part of the architecture of the house while still improving the flow. Taking out the Calliandra, which had become a large hedge along the wall, revealed a very pretty element of Spanish Architecture, and opened up the whole space.

BEFORE

AFTER: New Steps at Sidewalk, Newly Planted

We decided on steps that matched the tile in the front courtyard, and a lovely flagstone pathway.
The plantings are a nice mix of feminine and masculine forms. There will be lots of beneficial insects and Hummingbirds visiting this yard now!

Whimsical Garden in Pasadena

The moment I met with this client, I was so impressed with her love for plants, her love for her garden and her sense of whimsy! What a fun project!

Working within a large range of plant varieties

We started with the homeowner's attempts to create an interesting border along a stepping stone path. Her concept was there, but she needed help bringing it to life.

BEFORE

AFTER

The new stone pathway is of a beautiful almost iridescent gray stone called Tumbled Idaho. We helped her get the lawn rebate, planting Ceanothus in the former lawn area.
We trimmed, relocated, and cleaned up many of her existing plants, and added some repetition of new plant selections to give some structure to all the magical variety!

BEFORE

AFTER

One of the most challenging projects I face is to start with an existing garden that the client wants to keep to some extent. You must work with existing plants, trimming them, possibly relocating them, keeping the spirit of the existing garden, while taking it up a few notches. I find that I must use the limitations of the existing garden to connect with the as yet undeveloped vision that the client has for her yard, and make that vision come to life.

From Front Lawn to Low-Maintenance Front Yard

On this project, I designed a new pathway to improve the flow from the driveway and sidewalk to the front door of the home. We opened up access to the beautiful front archway for a more direct path to the front door. We planted some wonderful drought-tolerant plants, and helped the homeowner get her lawn-removal rebate.

BEFORE: Front Lawn with no path to front door

AFTER: Pathway to Door and New Plantings

Access to the front door through the previously hidden archway makes the property more inviting, brings out the Spanish architecture, and improves access from the sidewalk and driveway. The plant material will fill in over the next 2 to 3 years, giving a lot of privacy from the sidewalk and street.

AFTER: CA Native, Carex Pansa in center of DG circle

We wanted to mix some tough tropicals with ornamental grasses and succulents. It's a fun combination that wouldn't work many places outside of SoCal! As the plants grow in, the homeowner will have a beautiful, yet private view from her front windows, and a nice buffer from the street.