This is an example of a project that came with a host of challenges, but ended with a result that makes everything worth it. The biggest challenge: How do you design a space with all the amenities one could want for outdoor living and entertaining within a tiny, San Francisco-sized backyard? Answer: You get creative with different levels of decking and use every square inch! In this city backyard I was able to create an elegant extension of the home. The Ipe wood deck creates a luxurious foundation for a classy outdoor room under the ample beams of the open air pergola. A stone fireplace adds texture and warmth, and a stocked outdoor kitchen is an enjoyable place to cook up a delicious dinner under the stars. On the lower level, a pizza oven gives yet another option for the aspiring chef. Pots spilling with foliage and flowers soften the hard elements of wood and stone. We even had enough space at the far end of the yard for a small garden and flagstone path. This yard is a dream for the city dweller who wants to escape into his or her own backyard every once in a while.