Once enclosed by a white picket fence and lawn, this San Luis Obispo garden restored the Arts and Crafts character if the home blending both into the hilled backdrop. Elevating the front yard behind a stone retaining wall paid homage to the typical Arts and Crafts garden style while visually tying into the hills framing the home. The planting aimed to give a wild feel while maintaining order within the architectural symmetry of the home and its hardscape.

To create unity between the front and backyards, an existing block wall was faced with flagstone. The symmetry of the front yard was also reflected in the backyard using a shallow water channel connecting a spilling bowl and far ledge into one continuous water feature. Planting was used for screening and softening the landscape perimeter and adding interests of color throughout the site.

The site called for a California feel and upon completion it embodied a zen-like feel among the Central Coast hillsides.