This front and backyard project features a wide variety of rustic California native plants and natural stone set against clean, angular lines of the hardscape. In front, irregularly sized floating concrete slabs connect the driveway to the bluestone porch seamlessly combining function and aesthetics. In a similar vein, the dry creek follows the underground french drain collecting rainwater and runoff in a cistern below.  Natives California Lilac (Ceanothus) and Redbud (Cercis) bloom pink and lavender in spring while sunny yarrow and verbena extend the bloom season through summer and into fall. 

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In the backyard, the hardscape and non-living features play with the geometry of lines, squares and rectangles. A herringbone dining patio echoes the pattern of the fireplace stonework while horizontal lines flow from railing to fence to planter box. The planting incorporates textural grasses and sedges, calming lavender and yellow blooms and mottled blue-gray boulders to bring a sense of wild to the space. A vibrant yellow-green desert olive (Forestiera neomexicana) serves as a focal point and the bright color is repeated in the electric yellow pots of succulents. Two pergolas book-end the yard creating a sense of intimacy. At night, uplights and pathlights set the mood, and can be programmed in a range of colors for entertaining.