The staircase, seating area and plantings create an enjoyable garden from an unusable, steep slope.
Red kangaroo paw is bright and warm against the fog and rolling hills.

Painterly Approach

This hillside garden responds to the movement of the wind, flow of the water and warmth of the sun. Undulating landforms and a grassy swale integrate storm water management in an artful way as they divert surface water away from the house.

Following this sinuous swale, the cascading stairway creates a helix-like pattern and links the top of the property to the pool area below. Along this path we nestled a cozy sitting area, perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine and taking in the panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay.

The warm-colored planting palette was a conscious choice to counter the cool breezes and saturate this hillside canvas with painterly sweeps of fiery color. Drought tolerant, low-maintenance, Mediterranean plants attract hummingbirds and bees, providing nectar and habitat. This project is a shining example of functional goals achieved with artistry.

Painterly Approach

This hillside garden responds to the movement of the wind, flow of the water and warmth of the sun. Undulating landforms and a grassy swale integrate storm water management in an artful way as they divert surface water away from the house.

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Following this sinuous swale, the cascading stairway creates a helix-like pattern and links the top of the property to the pool area below. Along this path we nestled a cozy sitting area, perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine and taking in the panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay.

The warm-colored planting palette was a conscious choice to counter the cool breezes and saturate this hillside canvas with painterly sweeps of fiery color. Drought tolerant, low-maintenance, Mediterranean plants attract hummingbirds and bees, providing nectar and habitat. This project is a shining example of functional goals achieved with artistry.

The seating area overlooks the San Francisco Bay.
Boulders were reused after being excavated onsite, and now sit amongst colorful plantings.
There is no property line fence to avoid cutting off the sweeping grasslands and rolling hills.
The soft grasses sound and look like water in the wind.
A conceptual plan shows the brushstroke-like swaths of color.
Red and yellow plantings warm up cool tones of the site.
Lavender provides fragrence and color throughout the garden.
Fog rolls in over the hill toward the garden.
Bright yellow plantings create a visual connection through a gate. Stone pavers are softened with bands of moss.