This view is looking up from the wooden deck to the entry gate. The driveway and carport are just beyond. Photos: Gardeners’ Guild
Detail of the entry wood fence, with forged iron “waves” supporting wisteria vine. It replaces the old, damaged fence and is attached to a new wood retaining wall. Photos: Gardeners’ Guild
The decomposed granite terrace above new concrete retaining wall, at the rear of residence. Custom iron railing, perennial plantings and artichokes are along the edge. The old rock wall is partially covered with vines and perennials. The rear of the house and balcony are seen above the wall. Iron post fixtures provide ambiance and illumination. Photos: Gardeners’ Guild
New California Gold flagstone entry stairs, looking down to the wood deck. Below is a wood staircase leading to a flagstone landing, patio and front door of the residence. Old, existing Craftsman-style fixtures were refurbished and used throughout. Photos: Gardeners’ Guild
An entry-level flagstone patio leads to both the front door and a stone sun deck outside the dining room windows. Photos: Gardeners’ Guild
A cut sand-set flagstone path leads from the bottom of the wood staircase to the side of the house, then down a slope on a series of stone steps. Decorative 3/8-in. crushed stone fills the voids for a natural look. More lush plantings on the slope. Photos: Gardeners’ Guild
Looking back across decomposed granite terrace at dusk. The flagstone sitting area is in the background, as is the custom-built garden shed. Photos: Gardeners’ Guild
A rock wall and the main staircase rise above the new flagstone patio and custom storage building. Photos: Gardeners’ Guild
The iron guardrail along the top of the new concrete retaining wall. Lush plantings follow the curves of the wall. It’s nicely accented by the decomposed granite terrace above the wall.
Below the new concrete wall looking up, gives a different perspective of the complexity of the initial sitework involved to develop terraces on the steep slope. With extensive engineering required, the high level of detail and skill is more evident from this vantage point. Photos: Gardeners’ Guild
THE DETAILS: A piece of a multilevel Craftsman style residence built into the hillside, below street level, this project received a 2013 National Landscape Awards of Excellence Grand Award from the Professional Landcare Network. It was involved in a renovation project on the upper floors and other areas of the main house when the exterior landscape project began, which led to much coordination among the owners, landscape architect, landscape contractor and the general contractor. Extensive engineering, both structural and geotechnical, was required, as the main concrete retaining wall was curved and reached 7-ft.-plus in height. This wall was integrated into new and existing levels, staircases and pathways and included extensive piers, steel, drainage and compaction, then finished with lightly textured stucco.
