In the foothills of Goleta in a family friendly neighborhood, our clients acre lot presented some interesting challenges. Half the property had an inaccessible steep, sloping backyard with a viewing deck towards the top, and an orchard of several mature citrus trees. Rickety and uneven wood steps needed replacing with a much more inviting approach to venture up and through the unused space. We proposed and built stone steps with enough landings to comfortably transition to three meandering paths that cut across the slope at different points and circulate around the orchard and the viewing deck. Upon completion, the client asked for more- several secondary interconnecting pathways of smaller stepping stones adding whimsy and a sense of playfulness. Billy Goodnick designed a plantscape of easy care, Santa Barbara sage, bougainvillea, a lush green groundcover, succulents and natives to fill the hillside.
Billy also worked with the client in designing the front yard- a major transformation of flagstone steps, landings and path as well as a warm, rich color palette of mostly Australian, and South African plants including kangaroo paw, pin cushion, coneflower, and lion’s tail. The hardscape and plantscape complement the Spanish architectural elements of the home.