All the living areas in this modern house looked out on a broken, leaking pool and a wilderness of nandina and chain link fence. Pruning up the photinia hedge (it hides power lines), adding a curved stucco wall and a simple pot with an agave improved the view 100%. The pool was replumbed and...

A poured concrete wall provides seating, and simple black gravel improves the growing conditions for this magnolia. In cool weather the owners bring out a firepit and a few more chairs and relax in their front courtyard.

Simple concrete pads lead through the gravel. Three wide new steps replaced the original two steep ones, creating a more gentle and inviting entry.