Create a mosaic patio with mixed materials
Finding that just-right yard accent doesn’t mean you have to spend hours scouring Pinterest for inspiration. Sometimes the answer is right under your nose—in the materials you already have and maybe a few new ones. This decorative mosaic patio is a perfect example. Note the mortared brick edges, dry set flagstone, and—the focal point of […]
How to build a pergola bench
Why have just a bench or just a pergola when you can have both? This pergola bench is a clear-cut solution for those with a small outdoor space because it doubles as a trellis for your plants and a place to lounge. Moreover, it brings a landscape up a notch and is great for breaking […]
DIY modern bench
Don’t get me wrong. When it comes to hardscape materials, I love using natural stones, pebbles, or luxury pavers to elevate a yard. But there’s nothing quite as versatile as good ‘ole concrete. Case in point: The concrete and wood bench you see here. For starters, concrete is affordable. It’s also strong. For slabs, walkways, […]
Low-maintenance modern landscape ideas
A “modern” landscape design doesn’t have to translate to “expensive” and high-maintenance. Sure, the word might make you think of something shiny and new. But the simplicity of a modern landscape can make it quite budget-friendly in the installation process and in the long-run. That’s thanks to defining features like clean lines, subtle accents, and […]
5 must-have California native plants
As California homeowners have fawned over and fallen for showier foreign plants through the years, California native plants seem to have gone to the wayside. Hurting the case for California native plants even more is that many homeowners don’t understand how to manage them, given they adapt to seasonality. (If done right, adding irrigation and […]
Bamboo 101
Bamboo isn’t just a panda’s snack. It’s a beautiful and versatile plant that has many uses in the urban landscape. You can install it as a privacy screening to block out nosy neighbors, or use it as a hedge. But, in my eyes, the biggest pro of all is how it can add architectural interest […]
3 tips for building a DIY creekbed
There are so many reasons to consider a dry creekbed in your yard. I love it as a way to create definition and interest in an outdoor space. It also brings a natural look by creating pockets for plants and accent boulders. However, maybe the most important thing is its ability to slow down and/or […]
Brady Bunch Landscape Renovation
It’s not often one gets asked to be part of such an amazing and historic project by HGTV’s project manager Dyal Eastman. Working on the Brady Bunch Renovation was like working on a cultural history project —with a lot of cameras! Sara’s job was to reference the historic photos from the late 1960s to identify […]
The benefits of front yard trees
Working in landscaping for so many years has taught me that sometimes people just prefer to remove trees than just work around them. This happened with one of our potential clients. They wanted to remove their 50-year-old magnolia tree, flatten the yard and replace it all with one layer of gravel. Although this might seem […]
Mexican-inspired panel wall and deck design
You might think that a pattern coming from a Mexican beach blanket can’t make sense in a yard, but here I’ll teach you how a small detail like that can bring a yard together. Sometimes when you have a yard that’s completely neglected it’s hard to envision it differently! Demolishing and rebuilding everything might sound […]
