Drainage Solutions & Curb Appeal Transformation This project focused on solving a persistent drainage issue that was impacting both the usability and appearance of the property. Standing water and poor grading were creating functional problems while diminishing the home’s overall curb appeal—an issue many homeowners face when water isn’t properly directed away from the home. Fowler Outdoor Co. approached the project with a design-build mindset, addressing the root cause of the drainage problem through proper grading, water management, and structural solutions. By integrating effective drainage systems with thoughtfully designed hardscape elements, the team was able to redirect water flow, protect the property, and create a more stable foundation for the landscape. Beyond functionality, the transformation elevated the front yard’s appearance with clean lines, intentional materials, and a cohesive layout that complements the home. The result is a space that not only performs better during heavy rain but also delivers a polished, welcoming first impression. This project is a great example of how solving underlying issues like drainage can completely transform both the look and long-term performance of an outdoor space.

The family of a local firefighter purchased a raw 15.7 acre ranch in the woody, rolling hills of Thousand Oaks to build their 4ksf, 1-story home with a view of the valley to the NE beyond. The husband and wife team, with an abundance of energy and fortitude, tackled every hurdle with optimistic determination and persistence, including the myriad of agency regulations, construction supervision, and material selections & purchases. They came to ENRarchitects with a developed seed of an idea and a manila file full of handmade sketches. Together we continuously refined the ideas and produced the final design, documents and engineering to obtain timely permits and competitive bids from subcontractors and suppliers. The owner’s diligence in research and negotiation paid off significantly in a completed budget that was less than half the typical general contracting rate. The welcoming home, features 4 bedrooms, 3-1/4 baths, kitchen, laundry & pantry, living, dining & family rooms, office, and a 3-car garage with a stall for the speedboat. With the latest in high-density insulation, foil-backed roof sheathing, energy efficient windows, the energy usage is very low, especially considering a whole house fan keeps the usage of the A/C system to a minimum, and a pellet-burning iron stove supplements the furnace. The result is a beautiful oasis, perched in the hills, with ever-changing views in every direction.

Nutsedge is one of the more prolific and persistant weeds we have here in North Texas. They thrive in compacted, poorly draining soils or beds that are overwatered or have irrigation leaks. If you've had an increasing problem with nutsedge then your soil is probably too compacted and may be staying too wet. For more info on nutsedge visit our ID Guide https://soilsalive.com/resources/identification-guide/nutsedge

Evergreen background for deciduous ilex verticillata, the native red berried sparkle berry. Leaves persist til November. Bright red berries on bare stems in winter! copyright 2015 Virginia Rockwell

Aronia's berries have turned bright red by early October and persist through the winter.
Photo of a full sun side yard landscaping in New York for fall.

We are here to tackle the most cluttered spaces in your house! Whether it’s a closet in the basement where things have been accumulating for years or your entire house has been overrun with clutter, we can help! In addition to getting you on track, we are available for ongoing maintenance to make sure that your new organizing strategies persist over time. Price $75 per hour or prepaid 6 hours for $400

This full yard remodel was designed to enhance both function and curb appeal. Custom patina metal planters were installed in the backyard and front yard to add visual interest and a modern, timeless touch. Faux turf was incorporated to replace high-traffic areas and eliminate persistent muddy spots, creating a clean and low-maintenance landscape solution. Special care was taken to preserve existing mature trees, with custom turf cutouts around established trunks to allow for proper growth and drainage. The result is a cohesive, pet-friendly outdoor space that stays green year-round while maintaining the natural character of the property.

The border garden takes on golden and amber hues in fall. Plumes of ornamental grasses provide fabulous texture that persists after summer blooms fade.

Most of our smaller chain pendant lighting originated in the early 1900s and endured for a decade or two. The Quimby was one of the more unusual chain pendants in that it persisted through the 1930s, bearing witness with each passing year to the lasting appeal of clean, pure lighting designs. Try them in a row over your bar, or singly over your sink.

The Eagleston Holly has shiny medium-green leaves with multiple soft spines that are accented in the fall with clusters of bright red berries which persist throughout the fall and winter. Trees provided, planted, and delivered by Treeland Nursery.

Kaplan Architects, AIA Location: San Francisco, CA, USA This project was the third remodel for this client which involved a complete reorganization and renovation of their existing master bathroom. We were hired evaluate the existing layout of the space, take measures in the redesign to mitigate a persistent leak in the space below the bathroom, and develop a complete and detailed interior design of the remodeled bathroom. The client was also interested in develop any aging in place measures we could implement with the new design changes. We developed a new layout which reorganized the space. The project includes a separate tub and walk in shower area. We created various storage areas which included custom built in medicine cabinets, storage over the wall hung toilet, and a vanity cabinet custom designed for the new space. We also developed the lighting design for the renovated space which included custom lighting between the mirror areas above the vanity. General Contractor: L Cabral Construction, San Francisco, CA Mitchell Shenker Photography

Deciduous winterberry is a native shrub which provides a fall and winter feast for birds. Beginning in August, the berries turn from green to red, providing autumn colour; the berries persisting into winter. Care must be taken to plant both at least one female (which carries the berries) and a male (which provides the pollen), and to choose cultivars which are appropriate pollination partners.

This Louisville home in the Boulder Area had old, cracked and warping cedar siding on it. The homeowners were struggling to maintain it and had a persistent problem with woodpeckers. They like the look of natural wood but wanted something that would outlast their time in the home and would allow for minimal upkeep. We suggested a unique product that we love, which happens to meet both of these requirements: James Hardie siding from WoodTone RusticSeries. This product is a James Hardie lap siding product that has a factory finish from a third-party finishing company, WoodTone. The base product, James Hardie HardiePlank lap siding, has a 30-year warranty. WoodTone's process for finishing this product gives it the look of stained wood with the benefit of a 15-year finish warranty. The homeowner selected the color Costal Gray for the body and James Hardie's Arctic White for the trim. We also installed James Hardie ColorPlus fascia and vented soffits in the color Arctic White. How do you think it turned out?

Set on a narrow hillside lot overlooking the San Francisco Bay in Point Richmond, California, Bay Heirloom is a Mid-Century Modern family home restored, modernized and adapted for contemporary living. Oriented south-southwest toward the Marin Headlands, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the residence captures shifting Bay light throughout the day, from fog-muted mornings to vivid, glowing sunsets. The home was built by Karlyn Neel’s grandfather, the owner of the construction company Flo-Crete, one of the Bay Area’s early concrete pumping firms. Flo-Crete completed the foundation and structural concrete work, with family photographs documenting the original cinderblock walls and pours. The firm also contributed to major regional infrastructure projects, including the Transbay BART tube and Candlestick Park, situating the house within a broader legacy of Bay Area construction. Growing up, Neel spent considerable time in the home, developing an early appreciation for mid-century modern principles. Instead of parting with this family heirloom, she purchased the home from her grandfather’s estate. While her grandfather continued to live in the Point Richmond house, Neel purchased a Mid-Century Modern residence in Palm Desert. In contrast to the Bay Area’s cool temperatures, salt air, and persistent winds, the desert home is shaped by heat and sun and requires a different material response. A substantial renovation she led there emphasized thermal performance, filtered light, and restrained detailing. The experience later informed the restoration of her Bay Area family home. What began as a modest Mid-Century Modern update expanded when decades of exposure to marine conditions revealed leaks and significant structural and seismic deficiencies. Neel was determined to honor her grandfather’s perseverance and without hesitation pivoted to a much more intensive project. Addressing these challenges required close coordination between Neel, Klopf Architecture and Kasten Builders, with architectural restraint and construction precision guiding each intervention. Rather than alter the home’s defining features, the project focused on reinforcing the structure from within. Discreet beams were embedded along the rear facade and in an upstairs wall, strengthening the building while maximizing the wall of glass facing the Bay and opening the wall between the kitchen and the living space. These structural interventions allowed the space to open fully to the Bay without visual interruption, with the kitchen repositioned as the social and functional core of an open, continuous living space. The building envelope was updated using weather- and corrosion-resistant materials appropriate to the marine environment. The house unfolds vertically from the street, beginning with a modest garage level and workshop, with the main living spaces located below. Original slate flooring at the entry was preserved, along with select furnishings and artwork collected by Neel’s grandfather, anchoring the restored interior in its past. A restrained palette of black accents and pale, natural finishes replaces darker wood tones, reinforcing openness and calm. A naturally illuminated stair connects to the lowest level, where a former basement was transformed into a guest suite and family room opening onto a deck. From there, steps lead directly to a small concrete boat ramp at the water’s edge. Throughout the project, decisions were guided by continuity rather than transformation for its own sake. Lessons drawn from both desert and coastal climates informed a material strategy rooted in performance and restraint. Bay Heirloom stands as a measured evolution of a family house, structurally renewed and carefully modernized, grounded in the discipline and care that first shaped it. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Angela Todorova and Fernanda Bernardes Landscape Architect: Huettl Landscape Architecture General Contractor: Kasten Builders Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2022 Location: Point Richmond, CA

Octobery Glory Maple planted in a backyard by Treeland Nursery. In the fall October Glory Maples produce a deep orange to red fall color that persists well into November. Visit our website to learn more. https://www.tree-land.com/tree-finder/tree/october-glory-maple/?

Our clients were persistent with keeping the original feel, style, color, and design as when the home was originally built. We still increased the size of this kitchen by removing load bearing walls and moving windows around. Finally we achieved this classic design keeping all the original features of the cabinetry, flooring, and marble backsplash, but using modern construction techniques for a lasting product.

Drainage Solutions & Curb Appeal Transformation This project focused on solving a persistent drainage issue that was impacting both the usability and appearance of the property. Standing water and poor grading were creating functional problems while diminishing the home’s overall curb appeal—an issue many homeowners face when water isn’t properly directed away from the home. Fowler Outdoor Co. approached the project with a design-build mindset, addressing the root cause of the drainage problem through proper grading, water management, and structural solutions. By integrating effective drainage systems with thoughtfully designed hardscape elements, the team was able to redirect water flow, protect the property, and create a more stable foundation for the landscape. Beyond functionality, the transformation elevated the front yard’s appearance with clean lines, intentional materials, and a cohesive layout that complements the home. The result is a space that not only performs better during heavy rain but also delivers a polished, welcoming first impression. This project is a great example of how solving underlying issues like drainage can completely transform both the look and long-term performance of an outdoor space.

We are here to tackle the most cluttered spaces in your house! Whether it’s a closet in the basement where things have been accumulating for years or your entire house has been overrun with clutter, we can help! In addition to getting you on track, we are available for ongoing maintenance to make sure that your new organizing strategies persist over time. Price $75 per hour or prepaid 6 hours for $400

Scott & Catherine Buley, HTT&T. High Tech Turf & Trees, LandscapeMakeover.biz, Rain Garden Nursery. Photo again, in November 2016, showing how Fall colors persist.