Repurposed brick walkway with Flagstone step treads and Railroad tie bracing
Mid-sized trendy staircase photo in Other

Another view of colorful stone in concrete garden walls with rustic railroad tie steps next to them. On the lower steps is a border of rocks in concrete that contrast in color with the garden walls.

Inspiration for a rustic hillside landscaping in Sacramento.

Repurposed brick walkway with Flagstone step treads and Railroad tie bracing
Example of a mid-sized trendy staircase design in Other

This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

Our customer has a contemporary style home and wanted to introduce that same modern flair to their aesthetic improvements outside. They also wished to improve the resale value of their home by creating more curb appeal. Another important request was to select materials that would stand the test of time and would be low maintenance. We replaced old rotting railroad tie retaining walls and steps with new walls and steps that had a very elegant and sleek feel to them. These walls and steps were life time warrantied and offered a beautiful lighter contrast of color to the home’s dark wood façade. LED lighting was built into the new walls and steps to serve three purposes – provide beauty, provide a safety element and also deter potential intruders.

This outdoor stairs starts with a concrete paver in smooth stone and then goes into railroad ties & gravel. Bordering it are drought-tolerant plants in mulch.

A two-level decomposed granite deck with wood retaining walls & steps with succulents and other drought tolerant plants and flowers along with rock borders.

A steeply sloped property needs many retaining walls! This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

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.

Gravel and railroad tie stairs are bordered by drought-tolerant plants in gorilla mulch.

A large with decomposed granite and outdoor carpet. Bordered by railroad tie retaining walls and a wood railing with steel cables. There's a railroad tie and decomposed granite stairway.

A pretty little planting bed near the front door breaks up the expanse of asphalt and adds interest. This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

Repurposed brick walkway with Flagstone step treads and Railroad tie bracing
Example of a mid-sized trendy staircase design in Other

A portion of the backyard drought-tolerant landscape shows a hillside dotted with various low-moisture plants, flowers & mulch along with railroad ties acting as part of a stepped walkway. At the bottom are two different levels of decomposed granite decks.

The site and landscape renovation was part of a major home addition and renovation. Existing railroad tie steps were removed and stone planters, a ramp, and steps were added.

Why can't the side access be beautiful too? Most important is that this was safe and easily accessible for Grandma. This active family needed to overhaul this large property but didn't know where to start. "It's like three acres of boring dirt and weeds", said my client. The steeply sloped property did indeed present unique challenges with ever-present voracious deer, the need for erosion control and bank stabilization, large areas that required planting while still considering water conservation, and the need for beautification and modernization to tie into the aesthetic of the newly renovated home. Concurrently, safety and access to all parts of the property were a consideration. Landscaping goals were accomplished through careful plant selection and judicious use of retaining walls in various styles throughout the property. Generous railroad tie steps were used on sloping side yards. The landscaped portions converge gracefully with the existing oak woodland. Children can play and hide in many fun spots, while my client's elderly grandmother can safely walk around.

Charles F. Bongiorno Jr.
Example of a classic patio design in New York

Two garden walls, a railroad tie one & colorful stones in concrete are part of this hillside project. Concrete steps turn into a railroad tie stairway with a rocks in concrete border. A variety of drought-tolerant plants are visible.