Some yards don't need a tweak. They need a reset. We took this one down to a blank slate and rebuilt it as a low-maintenance, low-water courtyard made for actually being outside. What went in: light broom-finish concrete with modern control joints for clean lines, Daytona 103oz turf that stays green without a drop of water, and a Del Rio pebble garden threading through it all. We layered in drought-friendly plants, succulents, and trees, each set in amended soil and fed by a smart drip system that waters only what's needed. Then the details that make it feel finished: a 42" incense cedar courtyard fence with double gates, a 5.5-foot modern backyard gate, and low-voltage ESUNN lighting on a smart transformer, so the whole space carries into the evening. Built once, built right, and easy to live with from here on out.

Certified Florida-friendly landscape renovated by removing all gravel, amending the soil, creating a butterfly and pollinator cottage garden with blueberries, flowers, herbs, natives, shrubs, and native Parsley hawthorn tree.

Pennsylvania Blue Flagstone patio; part of a larger installation (a lawn conversion) which also included drip irrigation, outdoor LED lighting, soil amendments and new plants.

Some yards don't need a tweak. They need a reset. We took this one down to a blank slate and rebuilt it as a low-maintenance, low-water courtyard made for actually being outside. What went in: light broom-finish concrete with modern control joints for clean lines, Daytona 103oz turf that stays green without a drop of water, and a Del Rio pebble garden threading through it all. We layered in drought-friendly plants, succulents, and trees, each set in amended soil and fed by a smart drip system that waters only what's needed. Then the details that make it feel finished: a 42" incense cedar courtyard fence with double gates, a 5.5-foot modern backyard gate, and low-voltage ESUNN lighting on a smart transformer, so the whole space carries into the evening. Built once, built right, and easy to live with from here on out.

Some yards don't need a tweak. They need a reset. We took this one down to a blank slate and rebuilt it as a low-maintenance, low-water courtyard made for actually being outside. What went in: light broom-finish concrete with modern control joints for clean lines, Daytona 103oz turf that stays green without a drop of water, and a Del Rio pebble garden threading through it all. We layered in drought-friendly plants, succulents, and trees, each set in amended soil and fed by a smart drip system that waters only what's needed. Then the details that make it feel finished: a 42" incense cedar courtyard fence with double gates, a 5.5-foot modern backyard gate, and low-voltage ESUNN lighting on a smart transformer, so the whole space carries into the evening. Built once, built right, and easy to live with from here on out.

Certified Florida-friendly landscape renovated by removing all gravel, amending the soil, creating a butterfly and pollinator cottage garden with blueberries, flowers, herbs, natives, shrubs, and native Parsley hawthorn tree.

Scott & Catherine Buley, HTT&T, High Tech Turf & Trees, LandscapeMakeover.biz, Rain Garden Nursery, New grass seed growing in rapidly over this extensive area. The aeration whole spacing is approximately 1" by 1" after repeated passes that plugged on a 2" x 2" pattern just deep enough to create protected seed pockets. The pockets hold seed, water, soil amendments including starter fertilizer, lime, gypsum and loosened soil that. Seed placement is so good we barely "dust" a small percentage of the surface with turf mulch. Only used where more visible seed remains on the surface.

Low water plantings, Apple trees, seasonal repeat flowering, ground covers and organic mulch and compost soil amendment. LED path lights create a meandering feel to this walkway to the separate dining patio.

Architect: Grouparchitect. Contractor: Barlow Construction. Photography: Chad Savaikie.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary rooftop balcony deck remodel in Seattle with no cover

We helped the health of this 100 year old grapevine by improving yields and increasing overall plant health with companion planting, heavy pruning and organic soil amendments.

I decorated the powder room by lining the room with stained cork (Also great for acoustics in a powder room!) I used this backdrop to display illustrations of The Constitution of The United States of America, inscribed and illustrated by the master calligrapher Sam Fink who brings to life the issues underlying the triumphs of this abiding document. Each amendment, each article, each word thoughtfully placed in the Constitution has been given Sam’s profound touch, creating a full-color masterpiece. Each document was pinned to the cork wall with Buffalo nickel tacks for an added ‘American’ touch.

Boulders create a horseshoe-shaped outdoor room for the fire pit, with large boulders as a retaining wall with low water plantings, flowering vines, Apple trees, seasonal repeat flowering, succulents and organic mulch and compost soil amendment.

Edible garden in rich soil amended with compost. Falon Mihalic

All the plant material was removed, the beds were amended with compost, and a narrow, spring blooming ornamental tree was installed offering spring and fall color, evergreen shrubs were planted for creating a foundation and providing winter interest, spring flowering shrubs offer color not only in the spring, but great fall color as well. Long-blooming perennials were added for a punch of color for most of the summer providing a welcoming entry!

Ornamental grasses sway in the hillside breeze. A four-season lawn has specially prepared soils, amendments and finely tuned grading allowing firm, green, healthy lawn year-round... perfect for the furry members of the family. Photography by: Joe Hollowell

A bubbling boulder water feature murmurs soothing sounds. Linear pavers lead the garden stroller from place to place alongside a rain garden filled with swaying grasses that spans the side yard and culminates at a gracefully arching pomegranate tree, The transformation was completed with a bold and biodiverse selection of low water, climate appropriate plants that make the space come alive. branches laden with impossibly red blossoms and fruit. The elements of a sustainable habitat garden have been designed into the ¬lush landscape. One hundred percent of rainwater runoff is diverted into the two large rain gardens which infiltrate stormwater runoff into the soil. After building up the soil with tons of organic amendments, we added permeable hardscape elements, a water feature, native and climate appropriate plants - including an exceedingly low-water Kurapia lawn - and drip irrigation with a smart timer. With these practices we’ve created a sumptuous wildlife habitat that has become a haven for migratory birds & butterflies.

I decorated the powder room by lining the room with stained cork (Also great for acoustics in a powder room!) I used this backdrop to display illustrations of The Constitution of The United States of America, inscribed and illustrated by the master calligrapher Sam Fink who brings to life the issues underlying the triumphs of this abiding document. Each amendment, each article, each word thoughtfully placed in the Constitution has been given Sam’s profound touch, creating a full-color masterpiece. Each document was pinned to the cork wall with Buffalo nickel tacks for an added ‘American’ touch.