Browse completed landscape design projects by ornamental land design. Beautiful, site-specific gardens in the Sacramento Region and Bay Area.

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Brick Pathway to Garden Bench Framed by Roses

Once a plain lawn with scattered shrubs, this backyard has been reimagined into a richly layered sanctuary that invites both solitude and connection. Winding pathways of reclaimed brick from the 1920s and 1930s weave through the garden, guiding visitors into a sequence of distinct landscape “rooms.” Each area offers its own atmosphere, with a varied mix of perennials, fragrant roses, colorful seasonal plantings, and structural shrubs that bring contrast, texture, and year-round interest.

A cozy bench nestled beneath the trees offers space for quiet retreat, while another bench closer to the house, accented with colorful pillows, creates a welcoming spot for conversation and gathering. A new garden studio, designed as both office and creative space, blends seamlessly into the landscape, with a discreet outdoor shower nearby that adds spa-like luxury and enhances the sense of escape.

The covered patio extends the home outward, featuring a beautiful space for al fresco dining alongside a custom fountain whose gentle sound adds calm to the setting. Thoughtfully placed art and subtle lighting further enrich the garden’s ambiance, allowing it to shift gracefully from day into evening.

Balancing natural beauty with purposeful design, this garden is more than an outdoor space. It is a series of inviting destinations, a living extension of home that nurtures both spirit and senses. 



Photography Credit: Julia Aue Photography (https://www.juliaauephotography.com/)

Calm in the Canopy: A Garden Retreat of Green and Brick

From Utility to Tranquility Side Yard

This full-yard transformation creates a warm, inviting, and highly usable outdoor retreat. From the very first presentation, the design resonated with the clients’ vision so much, they moved forward with it exactly as shown, without any revisions. At the heart of the backyard, a gently layered meadow garden brings softness, movement, and a sense of calm. Though still in its early stages, the meadow is designed to fill in over time with a rich variety of colors, textures, and heights—creating an ever-changing natural tapestry that offers seasonal interest and visual depth. Surrounding this central feature are thoughtfully selected drought-tolerant plantings that provide structure and year-round appeal. A sculpted, raised concrete patio serves as a strong architectural anchor, while curved gravel pathways and a custom cable trellis add character and flow.

Sustainability was thoughtfully integrated into the design by reusing materials already on site. Pavers from a small, underused patio in the back corner were repurposed to create a meaningful new pathway that connects the front yard, side yard, and backyard—enhancing circulation while reducing waste. Existing architectural boulders were repositioned to create natural accents and anchor planting areas throughout the garden.

One side yard now features a once-overlooked large pottery piece, relocated from an inconspicuous spot in the backyard to become a striking focal point. It’s now framed by lush, low-maintenance plantings and a casual stepping stone path that guides movement through the space. The other side yard was redesigned with a new concrete base and custom gate to neatly conceal garden equipment and refuse receptacles—addressing functionality with care and subtlety.

The front yard was transformed from a patchy lawn and a single tree into a welcoming, water-wise garden featuring a thoughtful mix of drought-tolerant and native plantings. Green-hued boulders, which deepen to a rich, vibrant tone when wet, were strategically placed to add sculptural interest and a subtle touch of surprise—enhancing the garden’s texture and connection to the natural environment.

Designed for everyday living and effortless entertaining, this landscape now feels like an extension of home... thoughtfully crafted, quietly joyful, and ready to be loved for years to come.




Photography Credit: Julia Aue Photography (https://www.juliaauephotography.com/)

Warm Welcome Outdoors: Full Space Redesign

Cut-Out Trellises Top the Pergola & Give Privacy at Outdoor Kitchen

This inviting outdoor retreat was designed to reflect the clients’ desire for a space that feels both modern and tropical. At its center is a raised concrete patio with wide, sculptural treads that double as casual seating and gathering spots. A striking architectural pergola, custom-designed by our firm, anchors the space, with a cutout trellis top that casts dynamic, shifting shadows throughout the day.

Light and shadow are used intentionally as part of the landscape’s art and architecture, adding movement, depth, and visual interest. The same trellis detail is repeated behind the outdoor kitchen, creating continuity while acting as a stylish screen from neighboring views.

Planting areas contribute to the tropical atmosphere and soften the clean lines of the hardscape. Integrated lighting brings the space to life after dark, extending its use and highlighting key features. Just beyond, the patio connects seamlessly to a newly built teen hangout room at the back of the detached garage—transforming the area into a versatile hub for relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying the interplay of design and nature.



Elevated Elegance: A Calming Outdoor Oasis

Terraced Serenity with a Bay View

Before the redesign, this hillside backyard was steep, overgrown, and largely unusable—a tangled, busy space that offered little opportunity for enjoyment or connection. Through thoughtful transformation, the landscape has been reimagined into a serene sanctuary where nature and architecture harmonize to create inviting, functional spaces.

A series of carefully crafted terraces carve gently into the hillside, providing tranquil areas for lounging and relaxation while capturing breathtaking views of the bay. Stone retaining walls anchor the design, both stabilizing the earth and introducing elegant architectural elements that define the space with subtle strength and timeless beauty. Winding stone steps and gravel pathways weave through the garden, guiding visitors on a leisurely journey from one peaceful moment to the next.

At the pinnacle of the yard, a hanging bench invites quiet contemplation or intimate conversation, perfectly positioned to overlook the shimmering bay below. It’s a place to pause, breathe, and take in the expansive view—framed by thoughtfully layered plantings and dappled sunlight.

The material palette centers around a neutral, grounding stone hardscape that allows the vibrant plantings to shine. Carefully selected to suit each unique microclimate within the garden, the plants bring seasonal color, texture, and life, softening the architecture and enhancing the sense of calm throughout the landscape.

Thoughtful lighting design is woven seamlessly into the architecture, casting a warm, inviting glow that extends the garden’s tranquility well into the evening hours.

This transformed backyard is more than a landscape. It is a living retreat that balances beauty and function, history and modernity, stillness and movement. It invites moments of peace and connection, becoming a cherished extension of home that nurtures the spirit and soothes the soul.





















(Designed while working with MLA)

Stone Serenity: Terracing a Sloped Backyard with Bay Views

From the Front Door: Layered Landscape with Soft Mounding and Fresh Plantings

This front yard underwent a full transformation—from a flat, unremarkable lawn with basic foundation shrubs to a sculpted, welcoming landscape with layered interest. The standout feature is a curved stone wall that adds structure, elegance, and a natural focal point from the street. A gentle mound was introduced to break up the flatness and give the space shape and movement. New plantings were thoughtfully chosen for texture and year-round appeal, and a fresh layer of mulch adds polish and contrast.

Throughout the installation, neighbors walking by stopped to comment on the transformation, often saying how much they loved the updated look and how it enhanced the entire street.

The Art of the Entry

Sonoma Guest House Approach

Set on a large rural property in Sonoma, this project was all about finding the right balance—creating spaces that feel designed and intentional while preserving the natural beauty and openness of the land.

The entry experience was carefully considered, with rows of olive trees flanking the long driveway to create a sense of rhythm and arrival. This simple gesture sets the tone for the rest of the landscape—structured, welcoming, and connected to its surroundings.

Between the main home and guest house, we added a hand-built stone wall with a gate to create a sense of quiet separation. It allows for privacy without cutting off visual connection, giving both spaces their own identity while keeping them part of a larger whole.

At the main house, a new raised concrete patio offers a place to gather, relax, and take in the expansive views of the wine country. Oversized treads provide integrated seating and invite people to linger. Built-in planters soften the structure and add warmth and life to the space.

Beyond the patio, we created a series of seating areas nestled among inviting plantings—designed to feel comfortable and natural. Closer to the home, the planting is more structured, with defined forms and intentional groupings. As the landscape extends outward, the design gradually loosens. Plantings become more naturalized, eventually blending seamlessly into the surrounding open land.

This project is an example of how thoughtful landscape design can bring structure and comfort to large spaces without losing a sense of place or the connection to nature.

Stone & Soil: A Large Scale Landscape Transformation in Sonoma

Planting Among the Stones

This project restored a creekside landscape that had been overtaken by non-native plants. While working within the complex constraints of federal, state, and local environmental regulations, and in close coordination with biologists and other consultants, we were still able to create a richly planted, beautiful space that reflected the client’s vision.

The design incorporates a wide range of locally adapted native plants, including species traditionally used by Native American communities. The palette was selected for its ability to bring seasonal color, thrive in riparian conditions, support pollinators, and stabilize the creek bank.

Overlook and seating areas offer quiet places to take in the landscape. The result is a space that feels grounded and alive, responsive to both the site’s environmental needs and the client’s desire for beauty, color, and meaning.





Photography Credit: Julia Aue Photography (https://www.juliaauephotography.com/)























(Designed while working with MLA)

Creekside Sanctuary: A Native Plant Restoration

Details

Each detail adds to the whole, creating an inviting atmosphere that draws you in and encourages you to stay. The textures of plants, stone, water, wood, and light come together to shape a space that feels complete and welcoming. These images highlight some of the important details within the designs, each one contributing to a place you want to remain in and enjoy.





Photo Credits: Photos by Julia Aue Photography (https://www.juliaauephotography.com/) unless otherwise stated

Hillside Rural Retreat

This hillside landscape blends Mediterranean elegance with resilient, fire-wise design. Drought-tolerant and firescaping plantings provide beauty and protection, while vibrant poolside gardens infuse color and texture. A curated mix of Mediterranean flora enhances the terrain, creating a lush yet water-efficient retreat that thrives in the climate. This design balances safety, sustainability, and timeless style for a stunning outdoor escape.

Scenic Horizons: Planting Design for a Hillside Home with Breathtaking Views

Rooftop Deck: Planting and Lighting Concept Plan

This rooftop deck was designed to make the most of the bay views while providing a variety of spaces for residents to spend time, whether gathering with friends, reading in the sun, or enjoying a conversation over drinks. The layout includes lounge seating, curved benches and firepits, and high-top tables, creating options for both larger groups and more private moments.

Plantings were selected to soften the space and bring structure, helping to define different zones while adding privacy, texture and seasonal interest. The lighting plan supports safe movement throughout the deck and also enhances the mood as the sun goes down, casting light, creating texture, and providing an architectural element to the walking and gathering areas.

A custom rooftop paving system balances durability with a modern, design-forward feel. Materials, furniture, and planters were chosen to work together visually, giving the space a modern, cohesive look that’s calm, functional, and refined.


































































(Rooftop deck design completed while contracted to MLA.)

Modern Rooftop Retreat: Privacy, Dining, and Relaxation

Moraga Project (in the works)

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The Work

Every space has a story. The right design helps tell it.