When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

Greenington’s Folio file cabinet feature clean modern lines which tuck neatly under the Currant writing desk. Tapered splayed legs and recessed pulls give a nod to its mid-century inspiration. Crafted in solid Amber bamboo, Folio’s city scale and slim profile makes it ideal for any home office. Environmentally safe, Amber is not a surface stain, the color is the result of an innovative caramelization process using heat, steam, and pressure to transform the solid bamboo material into Amber’s splendid array of colors. Discover the expert craftsmanship packed into each piece of Greenington bamboo furniture, made using a renewable resource harvested from fully sustainable and rapidly growing forests.

New residence for Jim Dyck adding onto a previously constructed guest house. The overall home provides comfortable living for a retired couple looking to be closer to family and to enjoy the great outdoors. House utilizes many environmental features to deliver a comfortable yet cost-friendly way of living while not infringing on nature's footprint.

Create a casual and sophisticated look with Greenington’s Santa Cruz Queen bed. The sleek modern design and simple clean lines of the Santa Cruz platform bed features a craftsman-built frame in solid Wheat bamboo, with two removable back cushions adding a dramatic focal point to the headboard, angled for good looks and comfortable lounging in bed. Heightening Santa Cruz’s upscale style is a slim black steel support and legs accenting the solid Wheat bamboo side rails and footboard. Environmentally safe, Wheat is not a surface stain, the color is the result of an innovative caramelization process using heat, steam, and pressure to transform the solid bamboo material into Wheat’s light color. The Santa Cruz platform bed is designed for use with a mattress only, which is supported with a solid bamboo European slat system, eliminating the need for a box spring, and providing constant ventilation for your mattress. Available in Queen, Eastern King, and California King sizes. Discover the expert craftsmanship packed into each piece of Greenington bamboo furniture, made using a renewable resource harvested from fully sustainable and rapidly growing forests.

Greenington’s Folio file cabinet features clean modern lines which tuck neatly under the Currant writing desk. Tapered splayed legs and recessed pulls give a nod to its mid-century inspiration. Crafted in solid Amber bamboo, Folio’s city scale and slim profile make it ideal for any home office. Environmentally safe, Amber is not a surface stain, the color is the result of an innovative caramelization process using heat, steam, and pressure to transform the solid bamboo material into Amber’s splendid array of colors. Discover the expert craftsmanship packed into each piece of Greenington bamboo furniture, made using a renewable resource harvested from fully sustainable and rapidly growing forests.

Photography by Jim Tetro This house, built in the 1960s, sits southfacing on a terrific wooded lot in Bethesda, Maryland. The owners desire a whole-house renovation which would improve the general building fabric and systems, and extend the sense of living out of doors in all seasons. The original sixties-modern character is preserved and the renovation extends the design forward into a contemporary, modern approach. Connections to and through the site are enhanced through the creation of new larger window and door openings. Screened porches and decks perch above the sloped and wooded site. The new kitchen and bathrooms allow for opportunities to feel out-of -doors while preparing, cooking, dining, and bathing. Smart passive strategies guide the environmental choices for this project, including envelope improvements, updated mechanical systems, and on-site stormwater management.

Greenington’s Mira console features clean lines of modern design and highlights the vibrant colors of solid Amber bamboo. Tall slim legs and recessed pulls give a nod to its mid-century inspiration. Mira’s tailored profile and streamlined shape works with any look, and make it an easy storage solution that fits where space is a premium. Environmentally safe, Amber is not a surface stain, the color is the result of an innovative caramelization process using heat, steam, and pressure to transform the solid bamboo material into Amber’s splendid array of colors. Discover the expert craftsmanship packed into each piece of Greenington bamboo furniture, made using a renewable resource harvested from fully sustainable and rapidly growing forests.

Greenington’s Folio file cabinet features clean modern lines which tuck neatly under the Currant writing desk. Tapered splayed legs and recessed pulls give a nod to its mid-century inspiration. Crafted in solid Amber bamboo, Folio’s city scale and slim profile make it ideal for any home office. Environmentally safe, Amber is not a surface stain, the color is the result of an innovative caramelization process using heat, steam, and pressure to transform the solid bamboo material into Amber’s splendid array of colors. Discover the expert craftsmanship packed into each piece of Greenington bamboo furniture, made using a renewable resource harvested from fully sustainable and rapidly growing forests.

Create a casual and sophisticated look with Greenington’s Santa Cruz nightstand. The sleek modern design and simple clean lines of the single drawer Santa Cruz nightstand features a craftsman-built frame made from solid bamboo, lacquered in a matte black finish on a strong steel base. Black steel accents complement Wheat bamboo drawers and black lacquer surfaces. The wide solid bamboo drawer is built using English dovetail joinery and uses under-mounted, soft-close glides for easy opening and closing. The drawer is faced in Wheat solid bamboo material, with a drawer box of warm caramelized solid bamboo, and accented with a slim black steel drawer pull. Environmentally safe, Wheat is not a surface stain, the color is the result of an innovative caramelization process using heat, steam, and pressure to transform the solid bamboo material into Wheat’s light color. Each Santa Cruz nightstand is beautifully finished on all four sides and ships professionally assembled. Discover the expert craftsmanship packed into each piece of Greenington bamboo furniture, made using a renewable resource harvested from fully sustainable and rapidly growing forests.

Photography by Jim Tetro This house, built in the 1960s, sits southfacing on a terrific wooded lot in Bethesda, Maryland. The owners desire a whole-house renovation which would improve the general building fabric and systems, and extend the sense of living out of doors in all seasons. The original sixties-modern character is preserved and the renovation extends the design forward into a contemporary, modern approach. Connections to and through the site are enhanced through the creation of new larger window and door openings. Screened porches and decks perch above the sloped and wooded site. The new kitchen and bathrooms allow for opportunities to feel out-of -doors while preparing, cooking, dining, and bathing. Smart passive strategies guide the environmental choices for this project, including envelope improvements, updated mechanical systems, and on-site stormwater management.

Modern and minimal, the Sol side table is crafted in solid Wheat bamboo. Perfectly scaled to tuck next to a chair or sofa, it’s just the right size for your morning coffee, snack, and even your laptop. Sol features a reverse beveled edge tabletop, resting on a slender tapered column and simple base. Easy to move around, this little table provides loads of function in a small footprint! Environmentally safe, Wheat is not a surface stain, the color is the result of an innovative caramelization process using heat, steam, and pressure to transform the solid bamboo material into Wheat’s light color. The finished product displays a beautiful grain pattern with continuous color throughout the entire material. Variation in grain and color enrich the natural beauty of bamboo furniture and make each piece unique. Slight differences in bamboo shade colors are signs that the furniture has been crafted from solid bamboo and is considered a benchmark of quality. Discover the expert craftsmanship packed into each piece of Greenington bamboo furniture, made using a renewable resource harvested from fully sustainable and rapidly growing forests.

100% bamboo made modern, the Studio Plus shelf is storage that works hard while looking gorgeous. The expansive shelf features open styling with deep bamboo shelves stacking four high for tons of storage, supported on two A framed architectural supports which peak in the center at 75” high. The Studio plus shelf offers sustainable design for your home without sacrificing style. Environmentally safe, Amber is not a surface stain, the color is the result of an innovative caramelization process using heat, steam, and pressure to transform the solid bamboo material into Amber's deep color. Creating a beautiful unique grain with continuous color throughout the entire material. Variation in grain and color enrich the natural beauty of bamboo furniture and make each piece unique. Slight differences in bamboo shade colors are signs that the furniture has been crafted from solid bamboo and is considered a benchmark of quality. Discover the expert craftsmanship packed into each piece of Greenington bamboo furniture, made using a renewable resource harvested from fully sustainable rapidly growing forests. Greenington’s Studio Plus collection makes it easy for you to promote sustainability in a lovely and functional way in your home.

Photo © Bruce Damonte Architecture by Judith Mattingly of Mattingly Thaler Architecture
Example of a trendy exterior home design in San Francisco

Greenington’s high performance Rowan Jr. media cabinet allows easy remote access to your media, yet keeps components hidden out of view behind three beautiful louvered doors. The louvered design allows the infrared light to reach your remote-controlled devices inside. Easy to use, the back of the media cabinet is as accessible as the front, via a one piece ventilated rear panel that can be completely removed for clear access to your cables, wiring and media components. Generous flow thru ventilation for heat control. Ships fully assembled. The sleek modern design and simple clean lines of Rowan features a craftsman-built frame made from solid bamboo, lacquered in a matte black finish with solid Amber bamboo doors. Environmentally safe, Amber is not a surface stain, the color is the result of an innovative caramelization process using heat, steam, and pressure to transform the solid bamboo material into Amber’s splendid array of colors. Variation in grain and color enrich the natural beauty of bamboo furniture and make each piece unique. Slight differences in bamboo shade colors are signs that the furniture has been crafted from solid bamboo and is considered a benchmark of quality. Discover the expert craftsmanship packed into each piece of Greenington bamboo furniture, made using a renewable resource harvested from fully sustainable and rapidly growing forests.

Greenington’s Folio file cabinet features clean modern lines which tuck neatly under the Currant writing desk. Tapered splayed legs and recessed pulls give a nod to its mid-century inspiration. Crafted in solid Amber bamboo, Folio’s city scale and slim profile make it ideal for any home office. Environmentally safe, Amber is not a surface stain, the color is the result of an innovative caramelization process using heat, steam, and pressure to transform the solid bamboo material into Amber’s splendid array of colors. Discover the expert craftsmanship packed into each piece of Greenington bamboo furniture, made using a renewable resource harvested from fully sustainable and rapidly growing forests.

Photography by Jim Tetro This house, built in the 1960s, sits southfacing on a terrific wooded lot in Bethesda, Maryland. The owners desire a whole-house renovation which would improve the general building fabric and systems, and extend the sense of living out of doors in all seasons. The original sixties-modern character is preserved and the renovation extends the design forward into a contemporary, modern approach. Connections to and through the site are enhanced through the creation of new larger window and door openings. Screened porches and decks perch above the sloped and wooded site. The new kitchen and bathrooms allow for opportunities to feel out-of -doors while preparing, cooking, dining, and bathing. Smart passive strategies guide the environmental choices for this project, including envelope improvements, updated mechanical systems, and on-site stormwater management.

When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

100% bamboo made modern, the Studio Plus shelf is storage that works hard while looking gorgeous. The expansive shelf features open styling with deep bamboo shelves stacking four high for tons of storage, supported on two A framed architectural supports which peak in the center at 75” high. The Studio plus shelf offers sustainable design for your home without sacrificing style. Environmentally safe, Amber is not a surface stain, the color is the result of an innovative caramelization process using heat, steam, and pressure to transform the solid bamboo material into Amber's deep color. Creating a beautiful unique grain with continuous color throughout the entire material. Variation in grain and color enrich the natural beauty of bamboo furniture and make each piece unique. Slight differences in bamboo shade colors are signs that the furniture has been crafted from solid bamboo and is considered a benchmark of quality. Discover the expert craftsmanship packed into each piece of Greenington bamboo furniture, made using a renewable resource harvested from fully sustainable rapidly growing forests. Greenington’s Studio Plus collection makes it easy for you to promote sustainability in a lovely and functional way in your home.

Casual and elegant, the Studio Plus solid bamboo writing desk features a tailored profile and a streamlined shape to perfectly accent your home or office. A stylish small-space solution, the scale of the writing desk works well when space is a premium. Tucked underneath the generous work surface is a slim center pencil drawer, and finishing the modern look are handsome splayed legs which elegantly taper towards the floor. Environmentally safe, Amber is not a surface stain, the color is the result of an innovative caramelization process using heat, steam, and pressure to transform the solid bamboo material into Amber's deep color. Creating a beautiful unique grain with continuous color throughout the entire material. Variation in grain and color enrich the natural beauty of bamboo furniture and make each piece unique. Slight differences in bamboo shade colors are signs that the furniture has been crafted from solid bamboo and is considered a benchmark of quality. Discover the expert craftsmanship packed into each piece of Greenington bamboo furniture, made using a renewable resource harvested from fully sustainable rapidly growing forests. Greenington’s Studio Plus collection makes it easy for you to promote sustainability in a lovely and functional way in your home.