Xeriscape

This mid-century ranch makeover was designed to create an exciting outdoor living space to compliment the homeowners’ in-ground pool and outdoor movie theatre. We wanted the unique style of the home to extend into their outdoor space. Architectural plants paired with the movement of softer flowers and grasses blend into a visually striking and relaxing space for this young family to entertain and enjoy! Texture was a big influence in this landscape with a mix of hardscape and foliage to fuse the space into a modern rustic charm. Windmill palms, cacti, and yuccas were paired with flowering perennials and ornamental grasses to provide seasonal bursts of color and amplify the southwestern ambiance.

Cafe lights and hitching-post towel racks were selected for a cozy and eccentric Austin flare. Artificial Turf was installed to replace the pre-existing pea gravel to soften the landscape and create a more pet-friendly backyard for their dog to play in. An outdoor kitchen with a raised countertop for extra seating was built within access of two doors for hosting and cleaning convenience. With this backyard makeover, the hosting possibilities are endless!

After these homeowners moved from a modern house in east Austin out to the hill country of Georgetown, they wanted to modernize their landscaping without clashing with their new home. The pre-existing, overgrown beds provided a great shape, so the designer decided to reenforce them with metal edging, and fill them with drought tolerant perennials and structural plants that look great year round. The old plantings had become untamed, shrouding the home and leaving little room to breathe. The new xeriscape was designed to be minimal and sporadic, leaving plenty of room for the new plants to grow into the space. Pea gravel and river rock where the chosen top dressings instead of traditional mulch to keep with the modern theme of the landscaping. Outdoor lighting was added to create depth throughout the property. Not only were they added against the home, they were added to every tree in the front yard, lighting the entire area with a warm, welcoming glow.

These homeowners were looking to up their hosting game by modernizing their property to create the ultimate entertainment space. A custom outdoor kitchen was added with a top of the line Delta Heat grill and a special nook for a Big Green Egg. Flagstone was added to create asymmetrical walkways throughout the yard that extended into a ring around the fire pit. Four rectangular trellises were added along the fence and shed, with an all metal pergola located at the back of the pool. This unique structure immediately draws the eye and adds a playful, artistic element to the rest of the space. The use of various sized rocks, gravel, and flagstone give a rough texture that creates a symbiosis with the metalwork. Silver Falls Dichondra creates a beautiful contrast to the rocks and can be found all over the property along with various other grasses, ferns, and agave. A large area of gravel rests on the side of the house, giving the client room to park a recreational vehicle. In front, a privacy fence was added along one of the property lines, leading into a drought resistant, eco-friendly section of yard. This fence, coupled with a giant boulder, doubles as a safety precaution in case drivers miss the turn and run into their lawn. This updated landscaping adds an effortless flow for guests to move from the front yard to the back while creating a very open, welcoming feel to all who enter.

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.

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.

Our customers for this project were a young, active family new to Austin with a keen eye for design and a love of the outdoors. The main goal of this project was to implement an outdoor living space while also providing an area for their dogs and kids to be active. 

Starting in the front yard, we added a walkway to connect with the street to create a welcoming entrance for guests.  Next we focused on extending their indoor living space into the backyard by implementing elements that they would draw them outside. The new patio and fire pit, built-in seating opportunities, an outdoor shower, and an adjustable louvered pergola help keep the space comfortable for everyday use. A rain water catchment and a raised garden and herb wall create opportunities to interact with their landscape. The inclusion of the custom built play area gives the kids a separate place to play while mom and dad entertain. 

The home was a new construction, with unique yard layout that left us with a series of corners. These customers were conscious of choosing environmentally friendly options to work with nature in their space rather than combat it. We were able to create movement within the yard and soften the structures with native plantings that added energy to the space.  

What we love most about our landscapes is having fun! That is why it is always so great to be a part of a project with such personality!
These homeowners were a fun couple, with great history - picking up electric art and sculptures along the way! Every piece having it’s own story! When we started on our landscape design here, we knew we had to be able to tell a story throughout the landscape.
We created this landscape as a frame to a photo on the wall; to only showcase the customer’s great finds and adventures.
We used simple, timelines materials in order for the landscape style to transition with the homeowners throughout the seasons, and throughout the years to come!