Landscape Renovation and Lawn Replacement - Mill Valley, CA
The homeowners of this lovely Mill Valley home desired a complete landscape renovation for outdoor living, in their serene setting below the redwoods. We updated the patio areas with natural bluestone, one for lounging and relaxing with a gas fire table and modern furniture. The other for dining. The stepping stones and stairways also used the same natural bluestone. The homeowners' wanted to replace the water-thirsty lawn and chose an artificial turf. Now this area of the landscape has zero maintenance, saves water, and provides a great surface for their active dog, and for the homeowner to practice archery. I designed the two patios with an "irregular edge" to break up the long rectangular shapes and also add visual interest to the design. Between the patios I specified a grey "Granitecrete" surface (similar to decomposed granite, but more durable). Chosen to contrast with the bluestone, it also provides a perfect surface for the BBQ/kitchen area. The homeowner had custom redwood benches with storage created as wall as raised planting beds and shelving for their collection of Protea plants. The Redwood trellis was added for a future outdoor TV screen. The posts will eventually be accented with the planted vines. A lower area in the landscape was designed for another destination in the landscape with a relaxing hanging hammock This area includes Leucadendron (Cone Bush) shrubs along the retaining walls and a Carex Pansa lawn; a CA native grass that spreads with very low water needs. A variety of low-water flowering plants, flowing ornamental grasses, screening shrubs and a few site-appropriate trees complete the landscape design.