by Arterra LLP Landscape Architects
San Francisco, CA, US 94107 · 233 photos
Small City Garden
http://www.arterrallp.com

The overall design for this city garden has a rhythmic movement, which comes from the composition of forms, the billowy sway of the plants in the breeze and light bouncing off the reflected surfaces. The garden is designed to engage the viewer as participant in a trans-formative place, even if the journey they choose is purely visual.

Michele Lee Willson Photography

 
This photo has 7 questions
jillybean330 wrote:
furniture, trees - Where is the furniture from and what are the tallest trees? Thank you! »
· Comment · 11 months ago
Arterra LLP Landscape Architects I believe the furniture came from DWR and the trees are Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum'
9 months ago · ·
star1514 nice
3 days ago ·
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splourde wrote:
Is that poured concrete or limestone? »
· Comment · 12 months ago
Arterra LLP Landscape Architects The photo kind of washed is out, but it is a limestone.
11 months ago · ·
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lauren4 wrote:
Landscap fire bowl - Where can this fire bowl, pit, table, not sure hat you would call it be purchased »
· Comment · 13 months ago
lauren4 It is exactly what I am looking for. Really beautiflul Design!
13 months ago ·
Arterra LLP Landscape Architects Thanks!
13 months ago ·
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dpatefield wrote:
grasses - What kind of grasses are these? Thank you. »
· Comment · 13 months ago
Arterra LLP Landscape Architects The bushy one on the right is Carex tumulicola.
I believe the grasses in the front are Stipa arundinacea
And the grasses in the center are Chondropetalum tectorum
13 months ago ·
dpatefield Thank you so much for your timely response!...
13 months ago ·
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Julie Powers Design wrote:
What are you using to contain the river rocks? »
· Comment · 13 months ago
causer659 Thank you for your response. It's greatly appreciated and makes me a believer again!
Sincerely,
causer659
9 months ago ·
thegreen1 looks like cor-ten steel (weathering steel). I love it!
7 months ago ·
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Gregory Haynes wrote:
What type of tree is that in the back? »
· Comment · 2 years ago
Arterra LLP Landscape Architects Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum'
9 months ago ·
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Janice Garcia wrote:
where to find the metallic sphere? up to 4 feet diameter? »
· Comment · 2 years ago
Janice Garcia thank you. Anyone know of a place to get larger size spheres?
2 years ago ·
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What Houzz contributors are saying:
A table height concrete firepit positions the flame at eye level and makes an attractive focal point when kicking back in comfy patio furniture. When not lit up, it can be used as a table.
A majority of fire pits today are gas, so there is no hassle building the fire. And if you use concrete logs or other nonflammable material instead of wood, there is no smoke. This is great not only for your lungs, but also for the environment. See more fire pit ideas.
added by Marianne Lipanovich to Lay of the Landscape: Modern Garden Style
Geometric shapes as well as concrete and gravel are hallmarks of contemporary design. These pavers, with their alternating lengths, create interesting movement within the space while still leading to the fire pit focal point at the end of the yard. Grasses soften the look without overpowering the space or looking too frilly. Dark furniture with a contemporary look is unobtrusive enough to almost recede into the fence line.
The idea of contrast is expressed in this attractive outdoor living room. The smooth bands of poured-in-place concrete contrast nicely with the surrounding pebble and gravel mulch and the trio of reflective orbs. There is unity in the palette: The chocolate-brown furniture reflects the similarly dark fence; the plants are mostly green and grassy. The overall mood here is serenity and harmony.
What Houzzers are commenting on:
added by sophiah to Santiago Garden (43 hours ago)
1) Fence with square trellis on top of fence 2) Minimalist planting 3) Firepit
added by Victoria Norman to Backyard brainstorming (4 days ago)
Firepit, pavers
added by Grace Rio to Garden designs (4 days ago)
Lounge in the garden
added by jillianherlihy to What to do for the backyard? (4 days ago)
everything
added by jackiesimpkins to jackiesimpkins's ideas (4 days ago)
linear concrete slabs irregularly place
added by doritlessard to doritlessard's ideas (5 days ago)
landscape very cool
added by Sally Haff to sally_haff's Ideas (5 days ago)
modern firepit
added by caragaul to caragaul's Ideas (6 days ago)
Grasses
added by theinnersanctum to theinnersanctum's Ideas (6 days ago)
Like the long pavers and the plants
added by birdikin to Patio Ideas (6 days ago)
stones and paving for seating
added by amylim41 to amylim41's ideas (7 days ago)
landscape
added by laurieannestein to laurieannestein's Ideas (7 days ago)
Landscape globes
added by lyndalucero to Landscape Ideas (9 days ago)
concrete with grass
added by Waterwise Botanicals to fergusandmax's ideas (10 days ago)
Modern - Concrete Pavers and Pebble
added by ysvcoh to New House (10 days ago)
nice fencing
added by stephroyer to Garden (12 days ago)
firepit
added by bcarmel to Wooten (12 days ago)
firepit 3
added by Valerie Cope to Out (13 days ago)
ornamental grass
added by aapopukk to aapopukk's Ideas (13 days ago)
Aed
added by Austex Landscape to Austin's home ideas (14 days ago)
Square
added by Envi Landscape to interest points (14 days ago)
modern Asian fire
added by noclue to Garden (2 weeks ago)
stones
added by Shaunessy Jones to shaunessy_jones's ideas (2 weeks ago)
like the trellis element at top of fence
added by darlene9 to darlene9's ideas (2 weeks ago)
For Kevin and mariessa
added by Kristen Hoffmann_Messenger to kristen_hoffmann_messenger's Ideas (2 weeks ago)
Sitting are
added by kblake3452 to kblake3452's Ideas (2 weeks ago)
Westover exterior
added by James S to bigbully's ideas (3 weeks ago)
tree and plants
added by onishani to Landscape Ideas (3 weeks ago)
feasable
added by itzelm to Exterior Ideas (3 weeks ago)
awesome!
added by curleywee1 to pollagarraun (3 weeks ago)
Modern patio kitchen garden
added by Jeanne Ettrick to jettrick's ideas (4 weeks ago)
Cool firepit
added by Alyssa Green to Landscape Ideas (4 weeks ago)
I love this design, especially the chrome gazing balls!
added by jeby to jeby's ideas (4 weeks ago)
Tree in background
added by googiesque to lamoire's ideas (4 weeks ago)
garden landscape
added by clarketelf to clarketelf's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Yes!
added by ABC Landscaping Inc. to Outdoor Living (4 weeks ago)
very contemporary
added by rachelfluker to rachelfluker's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
The tree
added by Jennifer Goodman to jhousergoodman's ideas (4 weeks ago)
like the use of gravel/rocks/simple sculpture and uplighting
added by daisylove55 to ton yard (4 weeks ago)
concrete & gravel combo for sitting area
added by angelaedwards1227 to angelaedwards1227's ideas (4 weeks ago)
fire pit in the garden
added by jkeenandesign to Landscape Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Trees
added by Carlos Camacho Jr to ccamacho001's ideas (4 weeks ago)
I like the firepit and seating area
added by scravis to scravis's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Firepit
added by 2ndname to Backyard (4 weeks ago)
Gravel bed
added by 434gilpin to 434gilpin's Ideas (4 weeks ago)
Great fence
added by rysse212 to pergola (5 weeks ago)
hardscape
added by ramblaorienta to ramblaorienta's ideas (5 weeks ago)
love this
added by pimpmyyard to pimpmyyard's ideas (5 weeks ago)
Fence n trees
added by melimello to Patio Ideas (5 weeks ago)
the trees are Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum
added by debra111 to front landscaping (5 weeks ago)
modern landscaping
added by yort1 to yort1's ideas (5 weeks ago)
Firepit
added by hevsmith22 to Garden (5 weeks ago)
love the different stone texture and difference grasses in amongst stones
added by joannerolland1955 to joannerolland1955's ideas (6 weeks ago)
Patio idea
added by ah_rashad1 to ah_rashad1's ideas (6 weeks ago)
Landscape 03
added by hatrick12 to hatrick12's ideas (6 weeks ago)
The large steppingstones.
added by csabhunt to Backyard Entertainment Area (6 weeks ago)
Slabs & Stone
added by Backcountry Builders inc. to garden (6 weeks ago)
like the tree
added by johntiger to outside back veranda (6 weeks ago)
The chairs table stone work
added by Susan Overton to james garden (6 weeks ago)
Firepit
added by ninjasunnyd to Xeriscape (6 weeks ago)
ooooh cool mix of diff media
added by stlancaster to Side Yard (6 weeks ago)
firepit and fence
added by coriadamson to coriadamson's Ideas (6 weeks ago)
Square
added by nancybgreene to nancybgreene's ideas (6 weeks ago)
interesting modern space
added by jabowes to jabowes's ideas (6 weeks ago)
Love all
added by Brian Shute to Outdoor Spaces (6 weeks ago)
Very serene
added by debt71 to flower pots (6 weeks ago)
beautiful, low maintenence
added by anjaneen to anjaneen's Ideas (6 weeks ago)
Zen yard two
added by variegata to variegata's ideas (7 weeks ago)
tree uplight
added by lind73 to Interior (7 weeks ago)
yard
added by corlenewight to Landscape Ideas (7 weeks ago)
no grass for along the side of the house
added by colinwatana to Landscaping (7 weeks ago)
Different rocks and mulch
added by rachelgwillmott to Landscape Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Pebbles + Pavers + Garden + Lights
added by assanne to assanne's Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Bonne ide !!!!!!!!
added by bobcallans to bobcallans's ideas (7 weeks ago)
uneven step area and ornamental grasses
added by aleiba to walkway (7 weeks ago)
mixture of large pebbles and small gravel option
added by clarez123 to firepit and what not (7 weeks ago)
mix of hardscapes.
added by cathycabbott to landscape (7 weeks ago)
Geometric puzzle layout
added by Beth Steel to BAYSIDE (7 weeks ago)
Outside seating area - conversation/fire pit
added by beauadamson to beauadamson's Ideas (7 weeks ago)
Fire
added by monina36 to Landscape Ideas (8 weeks ago)
the way tiles are aid out in different sizes
added by southviewcottages to Garden (8 weeks ago)
Patio
added by amastrapa to Lake house ideas (8 weeks ago)
Fire pit ideaThe overall design for this city garden has a rhythmic movement, which comes from the composition of forms, the billowy sway of the plants in the breeze and light bouncing off the reflected surfaces. The garden is designed to engage the viewer as participant in a trans-formative place, even if the journey they choose is purely visual.Michele Lee Willson Photography
added by artVIA l lifestyle design crossroads to Random ideas (8 weeks ago)
Low shrubs, stone and pebble mix and fire feature
added by tonifurrer to tonifurrer's ideas (8 weeks ago)
concrete & firepit
added by jmorrisonsmith to jmorrisonsmith's ideas (8 weeks ago)
Interesting idea
added by Design Within Reach to Spring Forward. (8 weeks ago)
A modern outdoor set-up is perfect for the late spring/early summer months. It makes us want to curl up and roast a marshmallow.
added by boez to boez's ideas (8 weeks ago)
Cozy
added by Vision gardens to paving (2 months ago)
internal planting area
added by trishtownsell to trishtownsell's Ideas (2 months ago)
fence
added by Kitty Minions to Patio Ideas (2 months ago)
side
added by grandmasTAN to fire (2 months ago)
smokin' grass
added by russnats to russnats's ideas (2 months ago)
Zen fire pit
added by verenafriedrich to Exterior design (2 months ago)
contemporary corner
added by lookylooky to SF Home (2 months ago)
SF Garden - Fireplace and seating
added by jzee to landscaping (2 months ago)
pavers and gravel
added by rkrjart to Gravel landscaping (2 months ago)
Large spheres, carpet gravel, May corner.
added by stepid to Exterior/Landscape (2 months ago)
small oasis seating I like cement pavers allowing grass or rocks/pebbles to nest between an unoffensive fire pit is cool, but not necessary
added by ckennedy7 to Tucson (2 months ago)
love the firepit table
added by gretchgunner to outside (2 months ago)
levels
added by pswan to landscape ideas (2 months ago)
mixture of slab stone and grasses
added by O'Connell Landscape to Firepits (2 months ago)
Square poured in place firepit, well framed by furniture, stepping stones and grasses.
added by cwiebe001 to cwiebe001's Ideas (3 months ago)
Backyard
added by hkoleszar to outdoor spaces (3 months ago)
cool firepit & furniture
added by cathfrancois to cathfrancois's Ideas (3 months ago)
Coin apéro
added by marlyshinders to Landscaping ideas (3 months ago)
grasses
added by michalvas to Garden (3 months ago)
pavers
added by Linda Collins to Outdoors (3 months ago)
Fire pit
added by jtwilley to jtwilley's Ideas (3 months ago)
Wall
added by Greg Gorby to greg_gorby's ideas (3 months ago)
fire pit, paving
added by gingingirl to gingingirl's ideas (3 months ago)
tree in the back
added by ancia1966 to ancia1966's Ideas (3 months ago)
Fire
added by cboychuk to Front Landscape (3 months ago)
Balls
added by douglashill to douglashill's ideas (3 months ago)
Another firepit
added by tonahill to Backyard (3 months ago)
Firepit separate from seating/grill
added by istiklal to istiklal's Favorites (3 months ago)
Cakil taslarina dikkat
added by she55i to Landscape Design (3 months ago)
love landscape
added by lesvella to patio (3 months ago)
Firepit
added by kesqueda to Outdoor Spaces (3 months ago)
Cool
added by C_Edward Buffington to cedwardbuffington's ideas (3 months ago)
Simple
added by callarman to bedroom patio (3 months ago)
bedroom patio idea
added by bleonhardt to bleonhardt's Ideas (3 months ago)
I like the different rocks and lengths stone
added by msstratmore to Landscape (3 months ago)
Firepit
added by jennitodd to jennitodd's ideas (3 months ago)
Like the grasses, stones and the uplighting on the tree
added by nitaashpatel to nitaashpatel's ideas (3 months ago)
Fair plaice
added by lindasgardner to lindasgardner's ideas (3 months ago)
stone entry area
added by Jennifer Robb to back yard (3 months ago)
like the fire pit
added by Urban Oasis to kelly (3 months ago)
contemporary seating and fire pit
added by jconrad1 to pool area (3 months ago)
Gravel with grasses
added by Urban Oasis to Garden (3 months ago)
Clean modern lines
added by The Pond Pros Of Southern California to coll pleasing to the eyes. walkways patios modern contemporary and crat (4 months ago)
the cool lines of th concrete walklway/patio with the native type grasse's. I think that this look is very pleasing to the eye by itself and especially when used along side the equsite look of contempory and or craftsmen style homes . I like it!
added by lacima to La Cima (John's ideas) (4 months ago)
take advantage of cement that we already have (maybe for a portion of side yard)
added by sandramanning to sandramanning's ideas (4 months ago)
nice
added by Rochelle Greayer to earthy contemporary (4 months ago)
earthy contemporary front page
added by Jane Tracy to Jane's garden ideas (4 months ago)
Grasses and balls
added by ginakalliris to ginakalliris's ideas (4 months ago)
wow feature garden landscape outdoor living
added by msalem10 to msalem10's Ideas (4 months ago)
fennnce
added by bretherton to bretherton's Ideas (4 months ago)
2photo with dark stones in between
added by tonycalcao to Exterior Favorites (4 months ago)
Side yard.
added by perspective landscaping inc. to 748 (4 months ago)
777
added by perspective landscaping inc. to 969 (4 months ago)
999
added by perspective landscaping inc. to 111 (4 months ago)
88
added by perspective landscaping inc. to 33 (4 months ago)
55
added by perspective landscaping inc. to 22 (4 months ago)
WWW
added by perspective landscaping inc. to VISTER (4 months ago)
FF
added by witriguy to witriguy's ideas (4 months ago)
Cozy backyard area....maybe a little too modern.
added by Sabrina Merchant to sabrina_merchant's ideas (4 months ago)
tree
added by malaikaclelland to malaikaclelland's ideas (4 months ago)
square and concrete
added by jillxian to back yard ideas (4 months ago)
love the stones
added by Melissa Papka to Outdoor Life (4 months ago)
great back yard, patio, sitting area
added by gr8pape to gr8pape's Ideas (4 months ago)
Mix of rock and grasses
added by andrewmccarty to andrewmccarty's Ideas (4 months ago)
Fireplace
added by riley2005 to Outdoor Lanscape (4 months ago)
Like this
added by johanwol to johanwol's ideas (4 months ago)
Idee 2
added by garygrundyturner to garygrundyturner's Favorites (4 months ago)
Fire pit functionality
added by andyesnq to barb's yard (4 months ago)
grasses, stone and rock on ground
added by Lorinda Berg to lorinda_berg's ideas (4 months ago)
vuurplek
added by jlo47 to jlo47's ideas (4 months ago)
River rock idea
added by kadams721 to Exterior/landscaping (4 months ago)
Geometric shapes as well as concrete and gravel are hallmarks of contemporary design. These pavers, with their alternating lengths, create interesting movement within the space while still leading to the fire pit focal point at the end of the yard. Grasses soften the look without overpowering the space or looking too frilly. Dark furniture with a contemporary look is unobtrusive enough to almost recede into the fence line.
added by vivi_dan to landscape ideas (4 months ago)
spheres
added by anne_elizabeth to anne_elizabeth's ideas (4 months ago)
square fireplace, surrounded with cozy seating
added by tracydonovan to tracydonovan's Ideas (4 months ago)
Idea
added by pinkie01 to pinkie01's Ideas (4 months ago)
Back yard
added by ttwells to back yards (4 months ago)
modern seating area
added by cdunba to cdunba's ideas (4 months ago)
pavers
added by mp97 to landscape (4 months ago)
Ornamental grass and rock= low maintenance. Would add some color
added by Jennifer King to jennifer_king713's ideas (4 months ago)
plants
added by pamfei to yard (4 months ago)
shiny orbs
added by Jeff Shieh to jeff_shieh's ideas (4 months ago)
table
added by Jasleen Katyal to Exterior (4 months ago)
landscape-1
added by VVM Designs to Design ideas for Borg Project (4 months ago)
Firepit with Conversation area
added by maridobles to maridobles's Ideas (4 months ago)
jardin casa
Good mixture of pavers & landscaping here.
added by staceyjarmon to pools (5 months ago)
Steps with stones in between
added by lmennes to lmennes's Ideas (5 months ago)
Landscaping
added by landscapechris to landscapechris's ideas (5 months ago)
contrast with poured concrete, pebbles, gavel, orbs.
added by saryan to garden / pinebud (5 months ago)
fence, sitting area.. beach rocks and concrete blocks. no grass..
added by lsaubs to lsaubs's ideas (5 months ago)
outdoor stepping stones
added by tamrablair to Feigelman's project (5 months ago)
very cool with the viewing balls in their too
added by aimeehouse to Landscape (5 months ago)
pavers with gravel and stones
added by kevindukes to landscaping (5 months ago)
Plants fireplace
added by krastana to krastana's ideas (5 months ago)
Minimal but nice
added by staceyjarmon to water features (5 months ago)
Stone dividers
added by jaredmcgonigle to jaredmcgonigle's ideas (5 months ago)
stone ideas
added by tnunis to tnunis's Favorites (5 months ago)
Back yard
added by talia14 to talia14's Ideas (5 months ago)
Fire pit
added by ryanjames0712 to ryanjames0712's Ideas (5 months ago)
Like silver balls and fire pit the garden design is nice to
added by thcao to 699 - Outside (5 months ago)
pavers, stones, alternating legnths and grasses
added by sunrisemahon to sunrisemahon's Favorites (5 months ago)
Grasses
added by Erica Cameron_Morrow to ericamorrow's album beautiful designs (6 months ago)
Transitions, grass
added by kajahh to Landscape (6 months ago)
l6
added by txbermudez to txbermudez's ideas (6 months ago)
garden