This very large corner site was shrouded in tired and thirsty conventional lawn. Really a bland, uninteresting monoculture—impossible to maintain especially in light of our dwindling resources and our growing understanding about sustainable practices. We chose to approach this project not with the idea that existing lawn is bad, but with respect for what lawn has historically represented: a socially connective tissue. Instead of conventional grass requiring endlessly large amounts of water, chemicals and mowing, this lawn conversion shifts to a naturalistic native meadow mix splashed with wildflowers and drought tolerant native shrubs. It was the clients’ desire to be wrapped by a garden attracting native pollinators and beneficial insects. A wildlife photographer, they wanted the opportunity to open windows and doors and feel immediately connected to a coastal native environment. The handsome new stone walls, stairs and massive boulders became the structural framework containing the loose, coastal sage scrub plant community, holding the landscape together during the dormant months. As we continue to grow our acceptance of and appreciation for climate appropriate California gardens, and embrace the paradigm shift, let us graciously bid adieu to our home’s unsustainable velvet robe.

This very large corner site was shrouded in tired and thirsty conventional lawn. Really a bland, uninteresting monoculture—impossible to maintain especially in light of our dwindling resources and our growing understanding about sustainable practices. We chose to approach this project not with the idea that existing lawn is bad, but with respect for what lawn has historically represented: a socially connective tissue. Instead of conventional grass requiring endlessly large amounts of water, chemicals and mowing, this lawn conversion shifts to a naturalistic native meadow mix splashed with wildflowers and drought tolerant native shrubs. It was the clients’ desire to be wrapped by a garden attracting native pollinators and beneficial insects. A wildlife photographer, they wanted the opportunity to open windows and doors and feel immediately connected to a coastal native environment. The handsome new stone walls, stairs and massive boulders became the structural framework containing the loose, coastal sage scrub plant community, holding the landscape together during the dormant months. As we continue to grow our acceptance of and appreciation for climate appropriate California gardens, and embrace the paradigm shift, let us graciously bid adieu to our home’s unsustainable velvet robe.

Set into the hillside, this modern mountain home is embraced by a native plant palette and natural stonework—gently lit to reveal texture, form, and the peaceful rhythm of the landscape

Nicholas Gingold
Inspiration for a transitional exterior home remodel in Orange County

This very large corner site was shrouded in tired and thirsty conventional lawn. Really a bland, uninteresting monoculture—impossible to maintain especially in light of our dwindling resources and our growing understanding about sustainable practices. We chose to approach this project not with the idea that existing lawn is bad, but with respect for what lawn has historically represented: a socially connective tissue. Instead of conventional grass requiring endlessly large amounts of water, chemicals and mowing, this lawn conversion shifts to a naturalistic native meadow mix splashed with wildflowers and drought tolerant native shrubs. It was the clients’ desire to be wrapped by a garden attracting native pollinators and beneficial insects. A wildlife photographer, they wanted the opportunity to open windows and doors and feel immediately connected to a coastal native environment. The handsome new stone walls, stairs and massive boulders became the structural framework containing the loose, coastal sage scrub plant community, holding the landscape together during the dormant months. As we continue to grow our acceptance of and appreciation for climate appropriate California gardens, and embrace the paradigm shift, let us graciously bid adieu to our home’s unsustainable velvet robe.

This very large corner site was shrouded in tired and thirsty conventional lawn. Really a bland, uninteresting monoculture—impossible to maintain especially in light of our dwindling resources and our growing understanding about sustainable practices. We chose to approach this project not with the idea that existing lawn is bad, but with respect for what lawn has historically represented: a socially connective tissue. Instead of conventional grass requiring endlessly large amounts of water, chemicals and mowing, this lawn conversion shifts to a naturalistic native meadow mix splashed with wildflowers and drought tolerant native shrubs. It was the clients’ desire to be wrapped by a garden attracting native pollinators and beneficial insects. A wildlife photographer, they wanted the opportunity to open windows and doors and feel immediately connected to a coastal native environment. The handsome new stone walls, stairs and massive boulders became the structural framework containing the loose, coastal sage scrub plant community, holding the landscape together during the dormant months. As we continue to grow our acceptance of and appreciation for climate appropriate California gardens, and embrace the paradigm shift, let us graciously bid adieu to our home’s unsustainable velvet robe.

Ken Heyman 21st Century Spanish garden frames 1921 East Bay, Spanish home Simple, pre-cast concrete pavers and Irish Moss mimic Moorish design for outdoor living room Custom wooden bench compliments curve of window and door casings and supports heirloom Wisteria Vibrant, sun and shade loving plants welcome guests to front entry Decorative tile patio and CMU retaining wall, draped with Rosemary, enhance side entry Palms, easy going California natives, and Mediterranean shrubs embrace Spanish theme

Ken Heyman 21st Century Spanish garden frames 1921 East Bay, Spanish home Simple, pre-cast concrete pavers and Irish Moss mimic Moorish design for outdoor living room Custom wooden bench compliments curve of window and door casings and supports heirloom Wisteria Vibrant, sun and shade loving plants welcome guests to front entry Decorative tile patio and CMU retaining wall, draped with Rosemary, enhance side entry Palms, easy going California natives, and Mediterranean shrubs embrace Spanish theme

Ken Heyman 21st Century Spanish garden frames 1921 East Bay, Spanish home Simple, pre-cast concrete pavers and Irish Moss mimic Moorish design for outdoor living room Custom wooden bench compliments curve of window and door casings and supports heirloom Wisteria Vibrant, sun and shade loving plants welcome guests to front entry Decorative tile patio and CMU retaining wall, draped with Rosemary, enhance side entry Palms, easy going California natives, and Mediterranean shrubs embrace Spanish theme

Ken Heyman 21st Century Spanish garden frames 1921 East Bay, Spanish home Simple, pre-cast concrete pavers and Irish Moss mimic Moorish design for outdoor living room Custom wooden bench compliments curve of window and door casings and supports heirloom Wisteria Vibrant, sun and shade loving plants welcome guests to front entry Decorative tile patio and CMU retaining wall, draped with Rosemary, enhance side entry Palms, easy going California natives, and Mediterranean shrubs embrace Spanish theme

Ken Heyman 21st Century Spanish garden frames 1921 East Bay, Spanish home Simple, pre-cast concrete pavers and Irish Moss mimic Moorish design for outdoor living room Custom wooden bench compliments curve of window and door casings and supports heirloom Wisteria Vibrant, sun and shade loving plants welcome guests to front entry Decorative tile patio and CMU retaining wall, draped with Rosemary, enhance side entry Palms, easy going California natives, and Mediterranean shrubs embrace Spanish theme

Ken Heyman 21st Century Spanish garden frames 1921 East Bay, Spanish home Simple, pre-cast concrete pavers and Irish Moss mimic Moorish design for outdoor living room Custom wooden bench compliments curve of window and door casings and supports heirloom Wisteria Vibrant, sun and shade loving plants welcome guests to front entry Decorative tile patio and CMU retaining wall, draped with Rosemary, enhance side entry Palms, easy going California natives, and Mediterranean shrubs embrace Spanish theme

Ken Heyman 21st Century Spanish garden frames 1921 East Bay, Spanish home Simple, pre-cast concrete pavers and Irish Moss mimic Moorish design for outdoor living room Custom wooden bench compliments curve of window and door casings and supports heirloom Wisteria Vibrant, sun and shade loving plants welcome guests to front entry Decorative tile patio and CMU retaining wall, draped with Rosemary, enhance side entry Palms, easy going California natives, and Mediterranean shrubs embrace Spanish theme

The landscaping incorporates native, drought-tolerant plants that thrive in the coastal environment. Thoughtfully arranged greenery enhances the home's exterior while embracing low-maintenance design.

For this landscape design and installation in the Piney Point neighborhood of Houston, TX, our goal was to embrace and enhance the minimalist and modern ethos of the home. Guided by our commitment to sustainability, we consistently salvage elements from the original landscape whenever possible and in this case, we chose to design the landscape around the existing driveway. Our aim was to reinvent the feel of the entrance area entirely. We installed Blackstar gravel and stamped, stained concrete in a clean and simple alternating pattern to infuse texture and depth into the landscape. To add greenery to the property without detracting from the modern feel and simplicity of the design, we installed over 1000 dwarf mondo grass plants in rows, infusing them into the pattern.

This very large corner site was shrouded in tired and thirsty conventional lawn. Really a bland, uninteresting monoculture—impossible to maintain especially in light of our dwindling resources and our growing understanding about sustainable practices. We chose to approach this project not with the idea that existing lawn is bad, but with respect for what lawn has historically represented: a socially connective tissue. Instead of conventional grass requiring endlessly large amounts of water, chemicals and mowing, this lawn conversion shifts to a naturalistic native meadow mix splashed with wildflowers and drought tolerant native shrubs. It was the clients’ desire to be wrapped by a garden attracting native pollinators and beneficial insects. A wildlife photographer, they wanted the opportunity to open windows and doors and feel immediately connected to a coastal native environment. The handsome new stone walls, stairs and massive boulders became the structural framework containing the loose, coastal sage scrub plant community, holding the landscape together during the dormant months. As we continue to grow our acceptance of and appreciation for climate appropriate California gardens, and embrace the paradigm shift, let us graciously bid adieu to our home’s unsustainable velvet robe.

This very large corner site was shrouded in tired and thirsty conventional lawn. Really a bland, uninteresting monoculture—impossible to maintain especially in light of our dwindling resources and our growing understanding about sustainable practices. We chose to approach this project not with the idea that existing lawn is bad, but with respect for what lawn has historically represented: a socially connective tissue. Instead of conventional grass requiring endlessly large amounts of water, chemicals and mowing, this lawn conversion shifts to a naturalistic native meadow mix splashed with wildflowers and drought tolerant native shrubs. It was the clients’ desire to be wrapped by a garden attracting native pollinators and beneficial insects. A wildlife photographer, they wanted the opportunity to open windows and doors and feel immediately connected to a coastal native environment. The handsome new stone walls, stairs and massive boulders became the structural framework containing the loose, coastal sage scrub plant community, holding the landscape together during the dormant months. As we continue to grow our acceptance of and appreciation for climate appropriate California gardens, and embrace the paradigm shift, let us graciously bid adieu to our home’s unsustainable velvet robe.

This very large corner site was shrouded in tired and thirsty conventional lawn. Really a bland, uninteresting monoculture—impossible to maintain especially in light of our dwindling resources and our growing understanding about sustainable practices. We chose to approach this project not with the idea that existing lawn is bad, but with respect for what lawn has historically represented: a socially connective tissue. Instead of conventional grass requiring endlessly large amounts of water, chemicals and mowing, this lawn conversion shifts to a naturalistic native meadow mix splashed with wildflowers and drought tolerant native shrubs. It was the clients’ desire to be wrapped by a garden attracting native pollinators and beneficial insects. A wildlife photographer, they wanted the opportunity to open windows and doors and feel immediately connected to a coastal native environment. The handsome new stone walls, stairs and massive boulders became the structural framework containing the loose, coastal sage scrub plant community, holding the landscape together during the dormant months. As we continue to grow our acceptance of and appreciation for climate appropriate California gardens, and embrace the paradigm shift, let us graciously bid adieu to our home’s unsustainable velvet robe.

This very large corner site was shrouded in tired and thirsty conventional lawn. Really a bland, uninteresting monoculture—impossible to maintain especially in light of our dwindling resources and our growing understanding about sustainable practices. We chose to approach this project not with the idea that existing lawn is bad, but with respect for what lawn has historically represented: a socially connective tissue. Instead of conventional grass requiring endlessly large amounts of water, chemicals and mowing, this lawn conversion shifts to a naturalistic native meadow mix splashed with wildflowers and drought tolerant native shrubs. It was the clients’ desire to be wrapped by a garden attracting native pollinators and beneficial insects. A wildlife photographer, they wanted the opportunity to open windows and doors and feel immediately connected to a coastal native environment. The handsome new stone walls, stairs and massive boulders became the structural framework containing the loose, coastal sage scrub plant community, holding the landscape together during the dormant months. As we continue to grow our acceptance of and appreciation for climate appropriate California gardens, and embrace the paradigm shift, let us graciously bid adieu to our home’s unsustainable velvet robe.