---
title: "Boxleaf Design, Inc. — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/boxleaf-design-inc-pfvwus-pf~1543662289
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1543662289.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Boxleaf Design, Inc."
category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/8063f30f005aa803_9869-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "San Francisco 94123, United States"
latitude: 37.7999
longitude: -122.4342
phone: "(914) 629-6986"
website: http://www.boxleafdesign.com
rating: 5
review_count: 7
best_of_houzz_awards: 13
followers: 448
last_updated: 2026-08-11
---

# Boxleaf Design, Inc.

Original Houzz profile: [Boxleaf Design, Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/boxleaf-design-inc-pfvwus-pf~1543662289)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers
- **Location:** San Francisco
- **Serves:** San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos, Hillsborough, Mill Valley, Larkspur, Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, Corte Madera, Tiburon, Sausalito, Belvedere, Brisbane, Muir Beach, Belvedere Tiburon, Hawaii, Wodside
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (7 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 13 awards (2013–2023), for Design, Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Star Houzzer
- Houzz Influencer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 100,000 Ideabook Saves

Boxleaf Design provides landscape design solutions for high-end residential and small commercial projects.  We work with our clients to create custom installations, tailored specifically for their needs and environmental context.  Our work can be seen throughout the Bay Area from Santa Cruz to Wine Country and beyond.

### Services Provided

- Landscape Design
- Garden Design
- Hardscaping
- Landscape Plans
- Patio Design
- Drought Tolerant Landscaping
- Site Planning
- Pool Landscaping
- Custom Fire Pits
- Custom Water Features
- Swimming Pool Design
- Gazebo Design & Construction
- Deck Design
- 3D Rendering
- Drafting
- Rooftop Deck Installation
- Green Roofing

### Areas Served

- San Francisco
- Oakland
- Berkeley
- Palo Alto
- Menlo Park
- Los Altos
- Hillsborough
- Mill Valley
- Larkspur
- Tamalpais-Homestead Valley
- Corte Madera
- Tiburon
- Sausalito
- Belvedere
- Brisbane
- Muir Beach
- Belvedere Tiburon
- Hawaii
- Wodside

### Typical Job Cost

$300,000 - 2 million

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Boxleaf Design, Inc. |
| Address | San Francisco 94123, United States |
| Phone | (914) 629-6986 |
| Website | http://www.boxleafdesign.com |
| License Number | Licensed LA 6347 |
| Followers on Houzz | 448 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/boxleafdesign
- LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=tab\_pro
- Blog — http://boxleafdesign.com/blog

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Boxleaf Design, Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/boxleaf-design-inc-pfvwus-pf~1543662289)
- **Website:** http://www.boxleafdesign.com
- **Phone:** (914) 629-6986

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- Best of Houzz 2013-2017; Best Renovation Project, City of Piedmont 2012; 1st place Re:Vision Dallas Competition; 2009, 1st place USGBC Emerging Green Builders Competition, 2006

- **Best of Houzz:** 13 awards (2013–2023), for Design, Service.

**Affiliations**
- [American Society of Landscape Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/american-society-of-landscape-architects-pfvwus-pf~2014062207)

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 7 reviews**

*Aspect averages:*
- Work Quality: 50.0
- Communication: 50.0
- Value: 50.0

### All 7 reviews

**★★★★★ — Palo Alto Builders, Oct. 2025**

> Palo Alto Builders has collaborated with Boxleaf on several projects now. Besides having great taste in design, we've enjoyed the great team collaborative effort and communication that Boxleaf provides.

**★★★★★ — Joan Hausman, July 2015**

> Relationship: Client
> Project Date: November 2014
> Project Price: more than $100,000
> We had a great experience working with Sarah Warto and her team at Boxleaf Design on a major landscape/hardscape remodeling project in our back yard. Highlights:
>
> •Sarah was very talented in designing a unique solution that had architectural integrity with the rest of the surrounding area
> •The selection and placement of plants was very creative – colors, heights, flowering times
> •She was very willing to work with us and her recommended contractor to reach our budget
> •Her recommendation of a contractor was absolutely terrific
> •Her work was very timely
> •She is very knowledgeable and also charming to work with
>
> We’re very pleased to recommend Boxleaf Design with great enthusiasm and absolutely no reservations!
>
> Joan and Warren Hausman

**★★★★★ — Ireko, June 2015**

> We had a great experience working with Sarah Warto and her team at Boxleaf Design on a major landscape/hardscape remodeling project in our back yard. Highlights:
>
> •Sarah was very talented in designing a unique solution that had architectural integrity with the rest of the surrounding area
> •The selection and placement of plants was very creative – colors, heights, flowering times
> •She was very willing to work with us and her recommended contractor to reach our budget
> •Her recommendation of a contractor was absolutely terrific
> •Her work was very timely
> •She is very knowledgeable and also charming to work with
>
> We’re very pleased to recommend Boxleaf Design with great enthusiasm and absolutely no reservations!
>
> Joan and Warren Hausman

**★★★★★ — flvetteth, June 2015**

> Creative, modern, sophisticated design. Consistently professional and detail oriented. Great care and follow through from design through installation. Highly recommend.

**★★★★★ — Liza Hausman, March 2014**

> Sarah was wonderful to work with. She listened and really understood everything we disliked about our yard and addressed each piece in a beautiful and creative way.  I would never in a million years have been able to come up with the amazing plan and ultimately final space that is our yard - hiring a pro makes a difference! She was very open to collaborating and incorporating our ideas. I really appreciated her efforts to "value engineer" elements of the plan that were over budget to execute, and she made a big impact by having relationships already with a carpenter who was able to build an arbor at half the price of other bids we received, and with contractors we could afford. She's also a lovely person and fun to work with. Highly recommend.  Photos coming . . .

**★★★★★ — Gary Rancatore, Dec. 2013**

> The project was to replace the entire backyard and courtyard,  The property is a waterfront location that is viewed from my home and by boaters on the waterside.  Working with Boxleaf was a wonderful experience.  They understood my needs and wants, presented multiply options and provided a stress free environment.  The project included grading, drainage, stone work, lighting, trellis, pots and landscaping.  My  family and friends  constantly praise the transformation and detail of my yard along with boaters stopping to share how much they enjoy seeing it.   I personally have enjoyed my yard for nine months and wouldn't change anything.

**★★★★★ — Dan Rose, May 2013**

> Sarah Warto was our landscape designer on a historic remodel in Palo Alto.  We tore the house down to the studs and completely replaced the landscape on a large corner lot.  Sarah was a joy to work with and produced a brilliant result.  One of our friends is on the board of directors of Gamble Garden in Palo Alto, and she praised our landscaping - which is a high compliment.  Sarah is on her to way to becoming one of the top landscape architects in the Bay Area.

## Selected projects

- [Bluff-Side Transformation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bluff-side-transformation-pj-vj~1613322)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 21
- [Palo Alto Contemporary Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-contemporary-residence-pj-vj~628103)
  - Location: Palo Alto, CA
  - Photos: 29
  - Description: A modern oasis for a young vibrant family. This formerly tired backyard space was completely transformed to fit the needs of a family who loves to entertain and spend warm evenings enjoying the outdoors. The design started with the concept of creating a large "outdoor room". This was achieved by adding the new trellis structure, which serves as an extension of the interior living room. The trellis is outfitted with electric heaters, a retractable shade canopy and focal lighting on the posts. New…
- [Atherton Seasonal Landscape](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/atherton-seasonal-landscape-pj-vj~2576437)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 10
- [Oakland Hills Entertainment Space](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oakland-hills-entertainment-space-pj-vj~2576514)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 12
- [Pacific Heights Historic Applegarth](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pacific-heights-historic-applegarth-pj-vj~2576387)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 8
- [Urban Kitchen & Play Space](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-kitchen-and-play-space-pj-vj~2576405)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
- [Sonoma Weekend Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sonoma-weekend-retreat-pj-vj~1169157)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 12
  - Description: Escape from the city at this perfect 5 acre weekend retreat. Designed for the ultimate in outdoor entertaining, there is poolside dining, an elevated lounge area with a view of the vineyards beyond, cozy fire pit surrounded my mature oak trees and ample vegetables for herbs and vegetables. Special consideration was paid to use low water plantings (traditional lawn very sparingly), and deer-resistant plants. Installed by: Dexter Estate Landscapes
- [Stanford Entertaining Space](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stanford-entertaining-space-pj-vj~2576474)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
- [Palo Alto Historic Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-historic-home-pj-vj~382593)
  - Location: Palo Alto, CA
  - Photos: 28
  - Description: Situated in old Palo Alto, CA, this historic 1905 Craftsman style home now has a stunning landscape to match its custom hand-crafted interior. Our firm had a blank slate with the landscape, and carved out a number of spaces that this young and vibrant family could use for gathering, entertaining, dining, gardening and general relaxation. Mature screen planting, colorful perennials, citrus trees, ornamental grasses, and lots of depth and texture are found throughout the many planting beds. In eff…
- [Menlo Park Reflecting Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/menlo-park-reflecting-garden-pj-vj~2576419)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 6
- [Eichler Low Water Landscape](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eichler-low-water-landscape-pj-vj~1610664)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 21
- [Presidio Terrace Xeriscaping](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/presidio-terrace-xeriscaping-pj-vj~85612)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: Located in a prestigious San Francisco community this garden is the foreground to a modern adobe-style home. The space is modern, sculptural, low water, low maintenance and provides year round interest. A Corten steel wall creates crisp edge and a low barrier to keep curious pets at bay. Elegant Chondropetalum grasses contrast with the sculptural forms of the succulents dotted throughout this front yard. The space is anchored by a stunning, low-branched, Arbutus marina tree, dripping with bracke…
- [Noe Valley Refresher](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/noe-valley-refresher-pj-vj~1063746)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 6
- [California Coastal](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/california-coastal-pj-vj~1169068)
  - Location: Santa Cruz, CA
  - Photos: 7
- [Shaded Entry Courtyard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shaded-entry-courtyard-pj-vj~260157)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 3
  - Description: This small but dramatic entry courtyard makes use of dynamic shade tolerant plants such as, ferns, heuchera, scotch moss and Japanese Maple, to create an inviting and unique Asian inspired arrival experience. Bluestone paving, added in an ashlar pattern, starts to break apart at the edges making way for the vibrant scotch moss.
- [Waterfront Living on the Bay](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/waterfront-living-on-the-bay-pj-vj~260021)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 19
  - Description: Designed to maximize the breathtaking Bay Area sunsets and take full advantage of active waterfront living. The client, an avid rower and boater, now has a space that caters to an active lifestyle and balances relaxation and entertaining. This is all about the VIEWS! Bluestone paving bands, designed to resemble "deck board", draw the eye directly to the open water channel. Plantings are low-maintenance and kept to the periphery to open up the water views from the house. Its now the perfect place…
- [Custom Living Wall Sculpture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-living-wall-sculpture-pj-vj~128856)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: The “Cracks and Crevices” wreath is a completely original and custom design made in collaboration with Concreteworks. It showcases the sculptural potential of eco-friendly GFRC- Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete as a backdrop for succulents an Tillandsias (aka air plants). This living sculpture will thrive indoors or out and can be changed seasonally. Hope you enjoy the photos almost as much as we did creating it :)
- [Piedmont Family Oasis](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/piedmont-family-oasis-pj-vj~85605)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: A traditional home was given a modern rear yard fit for, gourmet cooking, family gatherings and active play. Optimizing the natural slop of the yard, we created two distinctive zones for both adults and kids. The "adult zone" houses an full outdoor kitchen and a comfortable custom built-in dining table. The kids take reign of the open lawn area and the paved pergola, where they can throw the ball and ride bikes. Subtly striated, the Ipe wood fence creates a soothing enclosure to the property. Th…
- [Berkeley Planned Mixed Use Complex](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/berkeley-planned-mixed-use-complex-pj-vj~85615)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 6
- [Internal](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/internal-pj-vj~338458)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 83

[See all 21 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/boxleaf-design-inc-pfvwus-pf~1543662289)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Is the stone including the pavers, Bluestone? Stone between pavers?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Yes, this is blue select bluestone in a flamed finish.  The gaps are filled with pea gravel.

**Q: Details on shade material** *(in Photo Questions)*

How is it installed? Does it move up and down? Permanent or come and go?

Thanks!

A: The shade is permanently installed on a track (side to side).  It is manually moved from side to side to open it up, or add shade.  You can see the manual "handle" on the right side of the photo.

**Q: Agave in the metal planters** *(in Photo Questions)*

I love this look. What type of agave are these and how do you avoid filling the entire planter with dirt? I filled mine up with bags of packing peanuts as I couldn't figure out an easier solution. Thank you.

A: These planters were designed custom, so we specified for a shelf to be installed about 1/3 of the way down from the top.  Otherwise, you could use blocks of styrofoam, lava rock or pumice.

**Q: Are those plants along the fence camellia japonica?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Prunus laurocerasus

**Q: Can you tell me where you got/how can I make the round arbor?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Its the Gracie arbor from Terra Trellis

**Q: patio roof and canopy** *(in Photo Questions)*

I love the patio wooden roof structure and the retractable canopy design. How much does that cost in San Jose CA?

A: The wooden trellis was designed and constructed custom and cost about 15k.  The canopy system is manufactured by Shade Tree Canopies.  You can contract them directly for pricing.

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-11.*