This photo was taken late summer when the drought tolerant rudbeckia black eyed susans are in full bloom. See also nanho blue butterfly bush and russian sage combined with annuals. Note the stepping stone steps that provide access from the driveway to the middle terrace then all the way up the hill to a bench that overlooks this lush butterfly garden. From there, the paths meander thru the woods and provide hours of nature play and exploration. A very interesting pollinator garden that supports wildlife. Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

After years of enjoying their backyard, the clients of this property enlisted our firm to improve the original landscape we had completed over ten years ago. Our goal was to update the patio and further develop their backyard by creating a garden with a variety of color and texture. Over time the existing patio had settled, plantings grew, and an existing Oak thrived. During the initial home and landscape construction our clients were particularly concerned about the health of the mature Oak located just off the home. Special care was given when the patio was first built. Precautions were again taken in working around the Oak as the existing patio was removed and replaced. Surrounding trees and shrubs had grown and enclosed the backyard limiting access. This required almost all work and transport of material to be done by hand. The old concrete paver patio was replaced with bluestone. Existing mortared limestone around the edges of the patio levels were cleaned and tuck-pointed. A new stoop was constructed with mortared limestone risers and bluestone treads. A built-in grill and fireplace further updated the backyard space. The fireplace was designed to follow the organic curve of the patio. Mortared limestone and bluestone material were repeated on all elements, tying them together. Along with the updated patio, many additions were made in transforming the modest backyard into a lush garden. Masses of annuals, ornamental grasses, and perennials along with mixed shrubs created sweeps of color and texture in front of a new arborvitae hedge and other existing trees and shrubs. After careful planning and execution the completed landscape gave our clients the updated landscape they desired. The completion of the project was a rewarding and fulfilling experience as we transformed a good past project into a fantastic new project.

Wisteria Pergola walkway. Photo by Ketti Kupper.
Photo of a small side yard landscaping in Los Angeles with a pergola.

Ultimate backyard escape. Never mowed. Watered once a week. Gorgeous mediterranean garden for a contemporary lifestyle.
Inspiration for a large mediterranean drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel flower bed in Los Angeles for summer.

Naturalistic meadow.
Design ideas for a large rustic drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel garden path in San Diego.

Ryann Ford
Inspiration for a mid-sized asian gravel retaining wall landscape in Austin.

This lush and colorful hillside was once a barren, dry slope full of weeds and briars. We created the river rock stone terraced walls mainly to retain the truckloads of good garden soil that we added so that this hill could be planted successfully. The curved design is very attractive and the rustic style blends well with the log cabin architecture of the house. We also added large boulders nearby. You can see a few to the far right. Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

After years of enjoying their backyard, the clients of this property enlisted our firm to improve the original landscape we had completed over ten years ago. Our goal was to update the patio and further develop their backyard by creating a garden with a variety of color and texture. Over time the existing patio had settled, plantings grew, and an existing Oak thrived. During the initial home and landscape construction our clients were particularly concerned about the health of the mature Oak located just off the home. Special care was given when the patio was first built. Precautions were again taken in working around the Oak as the existing patio was removed and replaced. Surrounding trees and shrubs had grown and enclosed the backyard limiting access. This required almost all work and transport of material to be done by hand. The old concrete paver patio was replaced with bluestone. Existing mortared limestone around the edges of the patio levels were cleaned and tuck-pointed. A new stoop was constructed with mortared limestone risers and bluestone treads. A built-in grill and fireplace further updated the backyard space. The fireplace was designed to follow the organic curve of the patio. Mortared limestone and bluestone material were repeated on all elements, tying them together. Along with the updated patio, many additions were made in transforming the modest backyard into a lush garden. Masses of annuals, ornamental grasses, and perennials along with mixed shrubs created sweeps of color and texture in front of a new arborvitae hedge and other existing trees and shrubs. After careful planning and execution the completed landscape gave our clients the updated landscape they desired. The completion of the project was a rewarding and fulfilling experience as we transformed a good past project into a fantastic new project.

The garage becomes part of the garden by the use of a natural espalier... Grewia Occidentalis. Photos by Caitlin Atkinson
Photo of a small transitional drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone landscaping in San Francisco with a fire pit for summer.

This is an example of a transitional landscaping in DC Metro.

Photo by Ketti Kupper.
Photo of a small backyard landscaping in Los Angeles.

Photo by Ketti Kupper.
Design ideas for a small backyard landscaping in Los Angeles.

This is an example of a small eclectic drought-tolerant and full sun backyard brick landscaping in San Francisco for spring.

Photo by Ketti Kupper.
This is an example of a small backyard landscaping in Los Angeles.

The architect and designer Guy Derwent was approached by his client with a clear and compelling brief: to completely transform a grand Victorian terrace house they were planning to renovate. The client envisioned something far beyond a standard renovation – this was to be a bold and dramatic reimagining of a family home that could grow with them over time. With the property having remained largely untouched for more than fifty years, the architects saw an opportunity to unlock its potential and deliver a contemporary design that would contrast beautifully with its Victorian heritage. The existing layout consisted of a series of small, disconnected rooms to the rear of the house. To respond to the client’s need for openness and flexibility, the architect proposed a radical restructuring of the ground floor: The rear rooms were completely removed Suspended timber floors were lowered by up to two metres to align with the garden Two bold extensions were added The first extension filled in the side return with a London stock brick facade and a glazed roof, while the second – a striking black steel and glass pavilion was glazed on three sides and placed along the garden elevation. This new pavilion redefined the building’s relationship with the garden. Its steel-framed glazing created a seamless dialogue between interior and exterior, offering a sense of immersion in the surrounding landscape. At the heart of the plan sits a dramatic, five-metre-tall dining space that acts as a transition from the original entrance hall into the new addition. A large, circular cast-glass window, framed in steel, provides a visual and spatial link between old and new, allowing light and movement to travel through the depth of the home. Throughout the project, a series of black metal elements were introduced as sculptural interventions – each marking moments of transformation within the house. These included the bespoke steel framed circular window, a custom metal staircase, a cylindrical support column, and the striking steel and glass garden pavilion. Together, they formed a coherent architectural language that underscored the project’s bold intent. Our steel windows and doors played a vital role in delivering the project’s vision. The architects chose steel for its refined sight lines and distinctive material character, which helped bridge the gap between the historical context of the building and the bold new additions. The black steel frames provided a crisp contrast to the pale London stock brick and added definition to the glazed pavilion, reinforcing the sense of architectural precision. In particular, the fine steel profiles of the garden room allowed the extension to feel both lightweight and immersive, blurring the boundary between the house and its garden. The architect drew inspiration from the Bauhaus Movement, particularly the work of Walter Gropius, whose approach to functional beauty and industrial materials informed the design of the garden pavilion. Here, our glazing system was used not just for transparency, but as an expressive architectural element. The carefully proportioned panels help to conceal the roof thickness and reinforce the pavilion’s industrial yet abstract character – a deliberate nod to product design and modernist detailing. Sustainability was an important factor in the selection of materials. Our steel systems, made from 99% recycled content and 100% recyclable, aligned with the project’s broader environmental goals. The architects noted that this commitment to material longevity and circularity was central to their decision to use steel. The durability and recyclability of the windows and doors ensured the project met both aesthetic and ethical criteria. This London terrace house now stands as a celebration of contrast – between heritage and innovation, solidity and transparency, tradition and transformation. Our steel windows and doors were not simply components; they were essential tools in crafting a home that is as bold and expressive as it is functional. The result is a home designed for modern family life, where light, space, and materiality come together in perfect harmony.

Native sages and Mediterranean wild mints and lavenders dance together under a canopy of palo verde, citrus and strawberry trees. Jasmine, bougainvillea, figs, olives and a sizable vegetable garden and orchard round out the planting profile. Not to mention the ultra low-water NO-MOW lawn. Used regularly for dogs & soccer.

This newly planted garden is now very colorful and thriving in the presence of deer. Most all of our gardens in the hilly areas of the peninsula are designed and planted with deer in mind.

This butterfly garden and bird sanctuary is seen here in late spring. Dianthus, verbena, and daisies that are flowering here are combined with other drought tolerant shrubs, herbs and annuals that provide 4 seasons of lush color. Terraced stone walls on this steep sunny hillside retain the garden soil needed and provide access to all 3 levels. Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

Another view of the upper patio with Sonoma fieldstone and blue stone circular bench that serves as a retaining wall and provides ample seating for visitors. The majestic oak tree is a primary focal point in this setting and frames the distance hillsides and a bay view. Decomposed granite patio and pathways. Design and Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design http://www.digyourgarden.com