---
title: "RareField Design/Build — Landscape Contractors | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/rarefield-design-build-pfvwus-pf~151088675
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~151088675.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "RareField Design/Build"
category: ["Landscape Contractors"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/6e93f5b10d30e350_0602-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "766 Valencia Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, California 94110, United States"
latitude: 37.7509
longitude: -122.4153
phone: "(415) 824-1882"
website: http://www.rarefieldsf.com
rating: 5
review_count: 1
followers: 115
last_updated: 2026-09-05
---

# RareField Design/Build

Original Houzz profile: [RareField Design/Build](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/rarefield-design-build-pfvwus-pf~151088675)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Landscape Contractors
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Serves:** San Francisco
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (1 review)

## About

### Houzz Badges

- 25,000 Ideabook Saves

RareField Design/Build is a CA licensed Contracting Firm - Formerly known as Paxton Gate.

Specializing in creative use of small spaces, stonework and fine carpentry, RareField Design/Build assists in every stage of creating your garden, from design and consultation to building fountains, walls, pergolas, lighting, irrigation, maintenance and more. 

Throughout the creative disciplines there are more similarities than disparities. Whether it’s telling a story, creating clothing, arranging music, or building a bridge, there is a common thread that unites all design.  All good design enhances experience. There are cadences, subtleties and bold moves that make the whole greater than the sum of the parts. From commercial spaces and residential interiors to gardens of all shapes and sizes—as well as new avenues of design and creation— we remain dedicated to the kind of exemplary craftsmanship that has been our hallmark for over two decades.

Visit our showroom and retail store!

### Areas Served

- San Francisco

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | RareField Design/Build |
| Address | 766 Valencia Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, California 94110, United States |
| Phone | (415) 824-1882 |
| Website | http://www.rarefieldsf.com |
| License Number | 825875 |
| Followers on Houzz | 115 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/RareField-DesignBuild-230312380316198/timeline/
- Blog — http://paxtongate.com/design\_build

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [RareField Design/Build](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/rarefield-design-build-pfvwus-pf~151088675)
- **Website:** http://www.rarefieldsf.com
- **Phone:** (415) 824-1882

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- Paxton Gate is RRP Certified with the EPA as a lead-safe Certified firm

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 1 review**

### All 1 review

**★★★★★ — caryls, Dec. 2012**

> This is a review I wrote for Yelp - but thought I'd repost here.
>
> The 2-sentence version:
> We LOVED working with Paxton Gate and they did a phenomenal job with our recent backyard overhaul. I'd use them again, and in fact almost as soon as we finished the backyard we signed them up to do our front yard.
>
> The longer version:
> Right after we moved into our house last year, the backyard, which had been cleaned up and lightly staged by the seller, was overtaken by weeds and quickly became unusable. It was a small sloping space to start - with cracked and uneven concrete, a crumbling stucco and wooden gate, a little rotting deck and a super depressing stairway into the garage.
>
> We briefly thought about doing it ourselves, but once we realized there would need to be concrete removal, retaining walls built, soil grading, new drainage and a new gate/fence, etc. we realized it was way beyond our abilities.
>
> The guys from Paxton Gate did everything we needed:
>
> 1\. They came out and met with us to hear about our hopes for the space and incorporated our ideas into the design, while adding a few awesome features that we would have never thought of ourselves
>
> 2\. We got a detailed budget and estimate for the project and they stayed true to it throughout the project
>
> 3\. They were great at communicating with us throughout the project, and also trustworthy and extremely pleasant to work with - both the management and the skilled craftsmen who were at our house every day to doing the work
>
> 4\. They took a small space and made every part of it either usable for entertaining or beautiful to hang out in.
>
> 5\. Their construction skills were top notch: the fencing and garden gate, drainage system, deck, stairs, retaining walls, benches and planter boxes are all beautiful and well-crafted
>
> 6\. The gave us first-class service - since we both work full-time we didn't have the time or the knowledge about how to project manage something like this. They took care of everything from demolition to making sure we understood how to use the timer for the irrigation system they put in
>
> Check out the pictures of the project on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.524075120939921.137933.230312380316198&type=3

## Selected projects

- [Noe Valley Tropical](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/noe-valley-tropical-pj-vj~1323757)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 4
- [Duboce Triangle Terraces](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/duboce-triangle-terraces-pj-vj~1400898)
  - Location: San Francisco, CA
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: TERRACED GARDEN WITH POURED CONCRETE WALLS. IPE DECK. STONE VENEER CUSTOM WATER FEATURE. HORIZONTAL REDWOOD FENCE
- [Ingleside Garden Haven](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ingleside-garden-haven-pj-vj~1323837)
  - Location: San Francisco, CA
  - Photos: 4
  - Description: BASALT PAVERS WITH PLANTED JOINTS, SLIDING BARN DOOR, STEPPED HORIZONTAL FENCING, BUILT-IN BENCH WITH RECLINING BACK, FIRE TABLE WITH BASALT CAP, AND NEW DECK W/ STEEL CABLE GUARD RAIL
- [Mission Micro-Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mission-micro-garden-pj-vj~1333007)
  - Location: San Francisco, CA
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: SMALL GARDEN DETAILED INTO OUTDOOR URBAN RETREAT. IPE AND RECLAIMED TERRACOTTA ROOF TILE DECK. VERTICAL GARDEN. CUSTOM ALUMINUM PLANTERS. WATER FEATURE. HEATED LOUNGE.
- [Mission Skylight Deck](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mission-skylight-deck-pj-vj~1323858)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 2
  - Description: MULTILEVEL DECK WITH ARBOR, AND UP LIT ACRYLIC PANELING
- [Noe Valley Deck and Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/noe-valley-deck-and-garden-pj-vj~1323844)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: MULTI LEVEL LANDSCAPE WITH WOODEN RETAINING WALLS, IPE DECK, SANDSTONE PAVER PATIO, BUILT IN BENCH, SHADE+FULL SUN PLANTINGS.
- [Potrero Alfresco](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/potrero-alfresco-pj-vj~1333009)
  - Location: San Francisco, CA
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: Outdoor living project with firepit and seating area, built-in BBQ, and a custom house and pond for pet turtle.
- [Glen Park Overlook](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/glen-park-overlook-pj-vj~1458562)
  - Location: San Francisco, CA
  - Photos: 6
- [Forrest Hill Oasis](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/forrest-hill-oasis-pj-vj~1323836)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: CUSTOM WATER FEATURE WITH INLAID TILE AND AQUATIC PLANTINGS
- [Le Marais Bakery](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/le-marais-bakery-pj-vj~1323839)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: French bakery located in the marina district of San Francisco.
- [Mission Cedar Tub](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mission-cedar-tub-pj-vj~1323859)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 3
  - Description: JAPANESE CEDAR TUB WITH CUSTOM DRINK RAIL, DECK, EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE, CONCRETE PATIO WITH CHEEK WALLS AND BOARD FORM PLANTERS.
- [Flour + Water](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/flour-water-pj-vj~1323834)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: FLOUR+WATER IS AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT LOCATED IN THE MISSION DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO.
- [Eureka Valley Facelift](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eureka-valley-facelift-pj-vj~1323832)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 1
  - Description: CUSTOM GARAGE DOOR, NEW SIDE WALK, RAISED STONE PLANTERS, NEW ENTRY STEPS
- [Central Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/central-kitchen-pj-vj~1323828)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 6
- [Excelsior Deck & Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/excelsior-deck-and-garden-pj-vj~1333005)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 4
  - Description: SECOND STORY DECK AND STAIRS WITH NEW DOORWAY, REDWOOD ARBOR, BASALT PAVING WITH PLANTED GAPS, AND DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTS
- [Mission Kitchen and Pantry](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mission-kitchen-and-pantry-pj-vj~1323825)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: PRESENTED WITH TWO SMALL, AWKWARD ROOMS, WE OPTED TO COMBINE THE DINING ROOM AND KITCHEN INTO ONE LARGE LIVING SPACE.
- [Mission Skylight Deck](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mission-skylight-deck-pj-vj~1323765)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 2
  - Description: MULTILEVEL DECK WITH ARBOR, AND UP LIT ACRYLIC PANELING

[See all 17 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/rarefield-design-build-pfvwus-pf~151088675)

## Ideabooks

- [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/114314767/list/wish-list) — 1 idea
- [JCLAU](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/114128569/list/jclau) — 2 ideas
- [SMYER Upper Patio](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/112982965/list/smyer-upper-patio) — 2 ideas
- [DRICH Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/110244770/list/drich-bathroom) — 10 ideas
- [RKERN](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/103790667/list/rkern) — 10 ideas
- [9P Inspirations](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75819275/list/9p-inspirations) — 3 ideas
- [JGARD](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/103254944/list/jgard) — 1 idea
- [Cool Stuff](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/58099857/list/cool-stuff) — 28 ideas
- [SKAS Inspirations](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/70795228/list/skas-inspirations) — 23 ideas
- [PIQ](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/79256879/list/piq) — 6 ideas
- [SMYER](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/86714291/list/smyer) — 10 ideas
- [AGAS2 - Roof Deck](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/82063666/list/agas2-roof-deck) — 27 ideas
- [JHANA](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/83977273/list/jhana) — 3 ideas
- [ALUK](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/77277288/list/aluk) — 44 ideas
- [APETT](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/81904946/list/apett) — 14 ideas
- [BMOR](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73320612/list/bmor) — 14 ideas
- [Simmons/Graff Roof Deck](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/76310081/list/simmons-graff-roof-deck) — 23 ideas
- [ATRIL Bathroom Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/76227747/list/atril-bathroom-ideas) — 5 ideas
- [Hardscape - Pavers](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57074727/list/hardscape-pavers) — 3 ideas
- [CHIL2](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/70112119/list/chil2) — 3 ideas

[See all 29 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/rarefielddesignbuild)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Grill area** *(in Photo Questions)*

What is the material for the outdoor work station?

A: Hi, that is a thermalled bluestone.

**Q: Where did you get this hot tub?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Hi. We use Northern Lights Cedar Tubs. Here is a link to their website. http://www.cedartubs.com/

**Q: Fence** *(in Photo Questions)*

What are the horizontal fence boards called? Where did you get them? Are these just decking planks?

A: Hi cosmiclila. Those are 1x8 ipe boards.

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-05.*