As you will see from this photo essay, this site went through a total Transformation. Like larva to butterfly, every portion of the site has become a colorful beautiful space that excites the senses and improves the quality of life for the occupants.
The program was to tame a steep-sloped site with water issues and a collapsed retaining wall into an outdoor entreating space. Many of the most important features of the design are not even visible upon completion. The original builder had installed an inadequate retaining wall without drainage or Geogrid reinforcement at the bottom of a steep site. Thus, it failed. So the first requirement was to rebuild the wall and transport the water from the top of the site to below the retaining wall without washing over hardscape or pooling within the site. This was accomplished thru re-building the main retaining wall with a drainage system, grading, and the installation of a set of smaller retaining walls and steps with drainage built into them and surface drains to collect and transport water. Then the fun began with the installation of 38 mature evergreen trees, 6 deciduous trees that created a secret garden atmosphere.

To connect the side yard to the rear yard we installed a set of elegant entry steps to tame the side slope this was the perfect opportunity to install a waterfall that looks natural and fits into its environment. We then installed cultured stone to soften the painted concert foundation walls, crated a 1,200 SF patio with a large BBQ/bar area that seats eight people comfortably, and has room for two people to work the grill and bar. We also built fiberglass 12’ x 16’ Pergola with a gas burning fire pit below with room for a love seat and two armchairs, a curved seat wall to define a sun deck area with 3 chaise lounges, terraced tree planters, and reinstalled perimeter fence. Even though the space was not huge the element™ created a set of outdoor rooms that work together and do not seem cluttered.
In the side yard, we replaced a wooden set of entry steps with a cultured stone elegant entry and a 200 SF patio creating another private secret garden space.
In the front yard we replaced the asphalt driveway with a paver driveway, expanded the entry walk to add a step-off area to exit the cars, and a steppingstone walkway to the side yard, and completely regarded the lawn area to control the flow of water.
This wall all finished off with 2,000 SF+ of sod, 40 small shrubs, and over 300 perennials. 500 spring bulbs and 50 annuals to give density until perennials fill in. and a low voltage lighting system consisting of two stainless steel transformers, 10ea. Cast Bronze walkway lights, 11ea. Stainless steel flush masonry up lights and 55ea. Anodized aluminum spotlights. With the addition of furniture and cushions, this project is complete. The first 41 photos are a journey thru the finished project site top to bottom. But to fully appreciate the transformation photos 42-86 take you through the journey again with before during and after construction photos for comparison