Small Space

These homeowners came to us with a solid foundation to go on, but wanted the space to be more practical for their lifestyle while still being a little eclectic. They had just completed a recent landscape job with a previous firm, but wanted to add some important finishing touches to fully encompass what they had been dreaming of for their space. Privacy from their backyard neighbors, new grass with irrigation, and a fenced in area out front for their dog were their top priorities.

These modest homeowners were looking for drainage solutions, low maintenance plantings, and an entertainment space they could enjoy outside. Mowing the grass had been a pain in the past, so with this design we decided to remove it entirely. Instead, more native grasses were utilized to take in water and reduce erosion. A new fence modernized and updated the space and allowed the interior of the backyard to be leveled providing more opportunities for design elements like a floating bench and custom built fire pit.

This yard was transformed from a bland builder basic to a fun and lush xeriscaped entry way. To make the yard feel bigger, we removed the driveway and used gravel from end to end, creating an open, borderless planting and patio space across the entire front yard. For extra security and privacy, a fence was added along the front, which features an automatic gate for easy use as they come and go. With the limestone facade being one of the customers least favorite features of the house, we planted fig ivy vines to grow and cover it.

This project is another example of how to maximize small spaces. This customer's small Brentwood yard was centered around their new plunge pool. However, the existing pavers and layout left much to be desired. We reworked the pavers to create usable spaces and clean lines, and a vines and lighting work with the custom pergola to increase the privacy and add a soft vertical element to encourage the intimate feel of the space. Two other structures block the pool equipment and AC compressor from sight. This reduces the visual weight of these areas and allows the eye to focus on the crown jewel of the space... the pool.

These customers thought their space was too small to utilize in the way they wanted. We introduced the idea of small spaces needing to be simple, yet impactful in every material and placement chosen. To make the space feel larger, we emphasized the visual height of the space with tall pottery, trellis work, and an herb planter wall, while taking advantage of unused space under the stairs to create storage. The large concrete patio pavers also assist with the illusion of a larger space. The entire space centers around a custom designed iron planter and fire pit combo for night time lounge entertaining.

After their brand new construction was completed, this family had a beautiful and comfortable home that truly fit their needs. However, this new construction lacked an outdoor living space, which left the backyard feeling stark and bare. With this blank slate, we were able to create a relaxing environment for this family to enjoy.

Faced with the challenge of using every square-inch of this small space, Native Edge was able to design a landscape that left this family worry-free. We incorporated a low maintenance composite decking system, modern raised metal planters, and a bubbling urn water feature to tie this peaceful landscape together. The poor drainage of the lot gave us the opportunity to create a striking cat walk and drainage feature, which left ample room for their vegetable and herb garden hobby. There is even a nook for the family dog to enjoy!

This duplex has a very modern aesthetic with focuses on clean lines and metal accents. However, the front courtyard was undeveloped and uninviting. We worked with the client to tie the courtyard and the property together by adding clean, monochromatic details with a heavy focus on texture. 

The main goal of this project was to add a low-maintenance outdoor living space that was an extension of the home. The small space and harsh sun exposure limited the plant pallet, but we were able to use lush plant material to maximize the space. A monochromatic pallet makes for a perfect backdrop for focal points and key pieces. The circular fire-pit was used to break up the 90 degree angles of the space, and also played off the round pottery. 

This customer had grown tired of constantly fighting her yard. Though it was small, it's steep slope proved to make keeping it in tip top shape an impossible task. Slopes are never easy for grass to grow on. For one, our already infrequent rain does not have a chance to reach the roots as gravity pulls the water down hill before it can soak into the soil. The struggling grass also created an erosion problem where the customer was finding more and more dirt piled along the fence. Finally, the slope of the yard was simply not a comfortable space for friends and family to use as overflow space when the patio was full.

Our solution was to introduce a series of level terraces. These terraces allowed the grass to capture water, slowed down water flow to prevent erosion, and provided additional useable space for her guests to enjoy.

With a passion for entertaining both children and adults, this family needed a flexible and usable space. Additionally, recent construction had changed the family's greenbelt view, into an industrial eye sore.  Taking cues from the modern interior decorating of the house, we revitalized this tired and tiny back yard into an open and flowing oasis of fun and functionality.

A low maintenance, drought tolerant plant palette was a must for this busy family, and is reflected in our plant choices of ornamental grasses and agaves. A custom constructed swing complements and anchors the play area, without visually invading the overall esthetic of the yard. The swings construction will easily accommodate a hammock as the children get older.  The implantation of bamboo screening hides the new industrial area by blending the space into the surrounding greenbelt. Custom cedar benches provide additional seating and are complimented by large custom metal planters to anchor the space. Removing large areas of struggling grass and replacing it with limestone and black gravel, creates a perfect area for larger groups to mingle.   With distinct areas for children play, adult seating and  "free range socializing" this small space is ready for big parties.