hardscape

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 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!

Another fun Crestview project! This young couple wanted a back yard that reflected their bohemian-eclectic style and could add additional privacy from the ever climbing construction around them. A place for "hanging out and drinking coffee or beer in the backyard." But what was most exciting, was the air stream they had just purchased and were in the process of restoring. With the end goal of using it as a guest home for family and friends, we were challenged with creating a space that was cohesive and connected this new living space with the rest of the yard.

In the front we had another quark to fix. The sidewalk from their front door to the street suddenly stopped 5 feet from the curb, making a less than inviting entry for guests. So, creating a new usable entryway with additional curb appeal was a top priority.

We managed the entertainment space by using modern poured concrete pad's as a focal. A poured concrete wall serves as a bench as well as creates a visual anchor for the patio area. To soften the hard materials, small plantings of succulents and ground cover were planted in the spaces between the pads. For a backdrop, a custom Cedar Plank wall and trellis combined to soften the vertical space and add plenty of privacy. The trellis is anchored by a Coral Vine to add interest. Cafe style lighting was strung across the area create a sense of intimacy.

We also completed the fence transition, and eliminated the grass areas that were not being utilized to reduce the amount of water waste in the landscape, and replaced these areas with beneficial plantings for the wildlife.
Overall, this landscape was completed with a cohesive Austin-friendly design in mind for these busy young professionals!

This fun and young family moved to this South Austin neighborhood to be closer to friends and family. However, their new home's outdoor entertaining space and lack of landscape felt underwhelming and unwelcoming. The only redeeming feature was their yard backing up to the greenbelt. Our mission was to design a landscape that was not only perfect for their area, but fit their young, fun and busy professional lifestyle.

For the front yard, we complimented the entryway with a mix of modern cut natural stone complemented with water wise plantings. Metal planters, beds of succulents and decomposed granite, as well as other xeriscape features reduced the amount of turf, leaving just enough for their neighborhood movie nights!

In the backyard, we expanded their entertaining space by defining several new spaces; a stone patio for cooking and lounging, a children's play area with climbing wall and custom dragon made out of recycled tires, and a washer pit where they can host local tournaments. As custom gas fire pit act as a focal point for the various areas, and provides light and heat as the days get shorter.  All of this transitions smoothly into the greenbelt. Giving their yard an endless feel.

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. 

There is so much happening on this project we've had to divide it into two parts for ya! Make sure you check out the Front Yard.

Truly, one of Native Edge's Crown Jewels, this project is one of our all time favorites. When the homeowner moved in, this property's dated landscape had become a disjointed overgrown mess. The customer's requirements for this space were to increase the entertainment space, a modern and natural zen feel, better access between the various areas of the yard, and a Art Studio that could double as guest quarters.

We tripped the amount of outdoor entertaining space with three main areas; outdoor living, lounge area, and space for the dogs. A custom gas fire pit comes off the studio area to anchor the entertaining area. The furniture chosen for this section stacks on itself to create a obelisk; when not in use, allows additional square footage for the patio and doubles as an interesting visual.

We brought in our friends at McKinney York Architects to help us design and build this world class studio. For the outdoor shower we designed and built a custom iron shower caddy nick-named "The Butler." The butler stands at attention, discreetly holding your towels and toiletries while you shower. The studio is anchored by a raised turf area to soften the hardscape, and offer a place for the dogs to lay, while the artist is at work!