Although my client was an avid gardener, his backyard was neglected and unused. The top layer still sported a black top from his children’s basketball days and the concrete block retaining walls were forlorn. I wanted to take advantage of the existing topography to create a dining “room” destination at the back of the yard. An attractive wood pergola and fence and gorgeous stone walls make you feel like you are in the south of France. Five enormous CorTen vegetable beds house a cornucopia of vegetables. Add to that the many fruit trees (we added two additional), berries and the grape vines that will grow over the pergola and you have a food grower’s heaven. A natural water features starts at the top level and meanders down to a pond below. Giant boulders frame a fire pit and small and large logs are used for seating.