the bamboo is a clumping variety called Bambusa eutuldoides viridi-vittata , Asian lemon bamboo. This variety is a clumper and you do not need to contain it, however, do allow an 8'by 10' area for its ultimate growth. Bamboo does require constant maintenance and you will need to do some research for the specific variety you choose. Once planted, it will become a beautiful focal point and add a stunning tropical accent. Photo Credit: Sherwood Cox

From a railroad tie retaining wall one goes up to a large railroad tie planter. Then there's a series of concrete steps with a metal railing leading up to the concrete patio.

Photo by Langdon Clay
This is an example of a large contemporary partial sun side yard retaining wall landscape in San Francisco with decking.

Photo by Langdon Clay
Inspiration for a small contemporary side yard deck remodel in San Francisco with an awning

A decomposed granite (DG) & railroad ties stairs with a wood and wire railing at the bottom.
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Los Angeles.

Railroad tie & gravel stepped-walkways and paver retaining walls is part of an incomplete project Drought-tolerant plants & mulch will be added to the drip irrigation that is partway set up.

A close-up of the natural stone staircase with John Creech Sedum growing along the edges. Dining space and the grill can be seen on the upper level, left of the staircase. On the right side of the staircase a gas fire pit is also convenient to the back door.

A side view of the railroad tie garden walls along with new concrete steps and walkway. A part of a redwood fence in the background.
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Los Angeles.

Inspiration for a rustic hillside landscaping in Sacramento.

This brownstone, located in Harlem, consists of five stories which had been duplexed to create a two story rental unit and a 3 story home for the owners. The owner hired us to do a modern renovation of their home and rear garden. The garden was under utilized, barely visible from the interior and could only be accessed via a small steel stair at the rear of the second floor. We enlarged the owner’s home to include the rear third of the floor below which had walk out access to the garden. The additional square footage became a new family room connected to the living room and kitchen on the floor above via a double height space and a new sculptural stair. The rear facade was completely restructured to allow us to install a wall to wall two story window and door system within the new double height space creating a connection not only between the two floors but with the outside. The garden itself was terraced into two levels, the bottom level of which is directly accessed from the new family room space, the upper level accessed via a few stone clad steps. The upper level of the garden features a playful interplay of stone pavers with wood decking adjacent to a large seating area and a new planting bed. Wet bar cabinetry at the family room level is mirrored by an outside cabinetry/grill configuration as another way to visually tie inside to out. The second floor features the dining room, kitchen and living room in a large open space. Wall to wall builtins from the front to the rear transition from storage to dining display to kitchen; ending at an open shelf display with a fireplace feature in the base. The third floor serves as the children’s floor with two bedrooms and two ensuite baths. The fourth floor is a master suite with a large bedroom and a large bathroom bridged by a walnut clad hall that conceals a closet system and features a built in desk. The master bath consists of a tiled partition wall dividing the space to create a large walkthrough shower for two on one side and showcasing a free standing tub on the other. The house is full of custom modern details such as the recessed, lit handrail at the house’s main stair, floor to ceiling glass partitions separating the halls from the stairs and a whimsical builtin bench in the entry.

Railroad tie garden walls in the front yard along with a redwood fence and gate.
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Los Angeles.

Design ideas for a rustic hillside landscaping in Sacramento.

Mid-Century Remodel on Tabor Hill This sensitively sited house was designed by Robert Coolidge, a renowned architect and grandson of President Calvin Coolidge. The house features a symmetrical gable roof and beautiful floor to ceiling glass facing due south, smartly oriented for passive solar heating. Situated on a steep lot, the house is primarily a single story that steps down to a family room. This lower level opens to a New England exterior. Our goals for this project were to maintain the integrity of the original design while creating more modern spaces. Our design team worked to envision what Coolidge himself might have designed if he'd had access to modern materials and fixtures. With the aim of creating a signature space that ties together the living, dining, and kitchen areas, we designed a variation on the 1950's "floating kitchen." In this inviting assembly, the kitchen is located away from exterior walls, which allows views from the floor-to-ceiling glass to remain uninterrupted by cabinetry. We updated rooms throughout the house; installing modern features that pay homage to the fine, sleek lines of the original design. Finally, we opened the family room to a terrace featuring a fire pit. Since a hallmark of our design is the diminishment of the hard line between interior and exterior, we were especially pleased for the opportunity to update this classic work.

A view down the long outdoor stairway made with railroad ties and decomposed granite (DG). It leads down to a unique deck with DG and outdoor carpet and a wood railing with steel cables. Next to the deck is a railroad tie retaining wall.

Two railroad garden walls in the front yard. A redwood fence to the side of the house.
Photo of a traditional landscaping in Los Angeles.

This is an example of a contemporary drought-tolerant garden path in New York with decking.

Whit Preston
Inspiration for a contemporary family room remodel in Austin with a two-sided fireplace

View of the newly finished switchback steps, looking down the hillside toward the seating area. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Inspiration for an eclectic landscaping in Charlotte.

Granite steps with bluestone landings were installed to replace the old dilapidated railroad tie and stone steps. Landscape lighting was added to make the new access to the dock both welcoming and safe.