Stone Serenity: Terracing a Sloped Backyard with Bay Views

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)