This sloped hillside has been transformed into a beautiful tapestry of colors and textures present in every season. I specified drought tolerant plants and shrubs that are low-water, low maintenance and deer resistant. Located in Novato, CA - Marin County. Some photos were taken just after installation and others 2 couple of years later.

While the Southern California drought is keeping homeowners water usage to a minimum, there are an abundance of plants that thrive on minimal water. A combination of drip irrigation systems and drought tolerant plants can keep your exterior spaces green and beautiful as well as water efficient. This image features our design a few months down the road. With the addition of a few spring flowers, this front yard is officially ready for the Spring and Summer season.

Innis Casey Photography
Photo of a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant backyard gravel landscaping in Los Angeles.

Inspiration for a large modern drought-tolerant and shade front yard gravel retaining wall landscape in Los Angeles.

Design ideas for a mid-sized southwestern drought-tolerant front yard gravel landscaping in Phoenix.

project type: new construction architect: lake + flato architects location: scottsdale, az date: winter 2009 area: 4,500 sf
Inspiration for a southwestern patio remodel in Phoenix with a fire pit

Aitken & Associates Landscape Architects Installation by www.SalazarCustomConcepts.com
This is an example of a mid-sized mediterranean partial sun and drought-tolerant front yard concrete paver landscaping in San Francisco.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary drought-tolerant and partial sun stone landscaping in Los Angeles.

To create a low maintenance, water wise landscape, we removed existing lawn and concrete walkway. Installed Angeles Block pavers in Tuscan, Desert Gold gravel and Boulders, Drought tolerant Aloes, Agaves, Phormium and Callistemon. And installed Drip Irrigation under the gravel.

Dan Solomon
This is an example of a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant and partial sun front yard concrete paver landscaping in Los Angeles for summer.

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Mixing succulents with grasses and pittosporum create a colorful yet soft edge garden. Daniel Bosler Photography
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun front yard landscaping in Los Angeles.

Succulents, grasses and low-water shrubs with vivid foliage give this coastal garden a rich, textured look with minimal maintenance. Exterior colors and furniture selection by Julie McMahon. Photos by Daniel Bosler

A Trex deck was on the top of their list for the backyard with a decorative screen on the sides of the pergola for privacy. Asymmetrical steps up to the deck add a little playfulness to the deck which despite its generous size, doesn’t overwhelm the small yard. A constrained color palette of black, white and gray in the hardscape give the landscape a crisp and sophisticated appearance but the colorful drought-tolerant plant palette softens the look

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary drought-tolerant and partial sun front yard gravel landscaping in Orange County.

John Prouty
Example of a mid-sized trendy backyard concrete paver and rectangular water slide design in Phoenix

This classic San Francisco backyard was transformed into an inviting and usable outdoor living space. A few steps down lead to a lounging area, featuring drought-friendly and maintenance-free artificial grass as well as a cozy, custom-built natural gas fire pit surrounded by a Redwood bench. Redwood fencing, low-voltage LED landscape lighting, drip irrigation, planting and a water feature completed the space.

Photography by Studio H Landscape Architecture. Post processing by Isabella Li.
Photo of a small contemporary drought-tolerant backyard gravel landscaping in Orange County.

A mediterranean look in the desert with lantana added for color and softness. Pascale Sucato
Design ideas for a southwestern drought-tolerant and desert front yard landscaping in Phoenix.