Photo of a large contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone garden path in Santa Barbara for spring.

Inspiration for a large rustic drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel garden path in Santa Barbara for spring.

Design ideas for a large rustic drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel garden path in Santa Barbara for spring.

Photo of a large contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone garden path in Santa Barbara.

A large custom built 3-bin compost bin is tucked into a corner of the yard. Patricia Larenas, Urban Artichoke
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary partial sun backyard mulch vegetable garden landscape in San Francisco.

This is an example of a large contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel garden path in Santa Barbara for spring.

Concrete pavers with small mexican pebbles. Mondo Grass and FX Luminaire pathway light. The front areas of this landscape in Bel Marin Keys, Novato, were transformed from a tired, water thirsty-lawn into a contemporary setting with dramatic concrete pavers leading to the home's entrance. A variety of low-water plants for sun and part shade complete this project front yard transformation. Installed in February 2014. More plant updates early 2015. The back areas of this transformation is featured in a separate project: Modern Water-Side Landscape Remodel http://www.houzz.com/projects/456093/Modern-Water-Side-Landscape-Remodel---Lawn-Replaced--Novato--CA

This front garden echoes the classic lines and Mediterranean feel of the home’s architecture. A thirsty lawn was replaced with vibrant aloes, agaves, and low water shrubs. An area of decomposed granite doubles as an informal play court. Photo by Daniel Bosler

Design ideas for a large rustic drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel garden path in Santa Barbara for spring.

Lawn replaced with colorful plants and contemporary pavers. The front areas of this landscape in Bel Marin Keys, Novato, were transformed from a tired, water thirsty-lawn into a contemporary setting with dramatic concrete pavers leading to the home's entrance. And a new driveway design featuring large concrete slabs and small black pebbles set in resin in between. A variety of low-water plants for sun and part shade complete this project front yard transformation. Installed in February 2014. The back areas of this transformation is featured in a separate project: Modern Water-Side Landscape Remodel http://www.houzz.com/projects/456093/Modern-Water-Side-Landscape-Remodel---Lawn-Replaced--Novato--CA

Lagoon-side property in the Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Entertaining and enjoying the views were a primary design goal for this project. The project includes a large camaru deck with built-in seating. The concrete steps and pavers lead down to the water's edge. I included a sunken patio on one side and a beautiful Buddha statue on the other, surrounded by succulents and other low-water, contemporary plantings. I also used Dymondia ground cover to create a natural pathways within the garden. Featured plants: Achillea 'Coronation Gold (Yarrow), Euphorbia 'Blackbird', Lavenders, Lion's Tail and Penstemon heterophyllus. Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. Design Eileen Kelly

Matthew Millman
Design ideas for a transitional garden path in San Francisco.

Lawn replaced with colorful plants such as Orange Sedge, Phormiium, Bulbine frutescens 'Hallmark', and Rubus ground cover, along with and contemporary pavers that create a welcoming front entrance in Bel Marin Keys, Novato. The landscape design transformed the tired, water thirsty-lawn into a contemporary setting with dramatic concrete pavers leading to the home's entrance. And a new driveway design featuring large concrete slabs and small black pebbles set in a permeable resin in between. A variety of low-water plants for sun and part shade complete this project front yard transformation. Installed in February 2014. The back areas of this transformation is featured in a separate project: Modern Water-Side Landscape Remodel .

The lower area of the front yard garden was dominated by a thirsty, weedy lawn and the slopes leading to the house were mostly unplanted. Stone steps were designed to take the owners and visitors to a shaded sitting area under a spreading Jacaranda tree. Foreground: Euphorbia 'Copton Ash', Snow In Summer, blue sedge, Safari conebush, Westringia 'Morning Light' and Dianella 'Cassa Blue'. Slope plantings include Torch Aloe, Pride of Madeira, Euphorbia myrsinites, Spreading Sunset Lantana, Tree aloe and Bronze Baby Newe Zealand Flax. Photo: Billy Goodnick

Design ideas for a huge contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone garden path in Santa Barbara for spring.

San Francisco, CA - Lawn replaced with artificial turf, bluestone flagstone patios, pathways and site-appropriate plantings. San Francisco, CA - Before photo of the water-thirsty lawn. See after photos of the transformation http://www.houzz.com/projects/811419//small-san-francisco-landscape-remodel - lawn replaced with artificial turf and a beautiful new design with contemporary planting beds and low water plantings, bluestone patios and pavers. © photos and design, Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Lagoon-side property in the Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Entertaining and enjoying the views were a primary design goal for this project along with replacing the lawn with CA native and low water plants and a total renovation. The project includes a large camaru deck with built-in seating. The concrete steps and pavers lead down to the water's edge. I included a sunken patio on one side and a beautiful Buddha statue on the other, surrounded by succulents and other low-water, contemporary plantings. I also used Dymondia ground cover to create a natural pathways within the garden. Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. Design Eileen Kelly

Inspiration for a large transitional drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel garden path in Santa Barbara for spring.

Lagoon-side property in the Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Entertaining and enjoying the views were a primary design goal for this project. The project includes a large camaru deck with built-in seating. The concrete steps and pavers lead down to the water's edge. I included a sunken patio on one side and a beautiful Buddha statue on the other, surrounded by succulents and other low-water, contemporary plantings. The plant medley includes Sea Lavender, Blue Oat Grass, Bulbine - Snake plant, Parrot's Beak and others. Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. Design Eileen Kelly