Patricia Michael, MFA
Landscape Designer and Permaculture Consultant |
|
|
|
This property is a modest home in a residential neighborhood which backs up to wild land in a creek bed. Patricia has been fortunate to be able to work with the homeowner over several years to realize her vision.
|
| Before |
After |
 |
 |
Typical foundation hedge plants and one interesting tree with a split trunk on a standard lawn.
|
Patricia removed all the lawn except a path. Native and adapted evergreen and blooming plants form islands of texture and color. The new porch provides a more welcoming covered entry.
|
 |
 |
The back yard, too, was basically one big lawn.
|
A circular garden is the centerpiece of the back yard now, with curved footpaths and keyhole gardens throughout. The beds are full of herbs and flowers. Visible to the right is a trampoline, a favorite of neighborhood children.
|
 |
 |
Looking toward the creek. The previous owner had fenced the lawn off from the wild land.
|
Patricia removed the fence, opening the backyard onto the creek. This stone footpath past the circular garden leads to stairs descending into the creek bed.
|
 |
 |
This storage shed was cramped and difficult to use because the door swung inward, using up lots of interior space.
|
Patricia installed sliding doors and a porch, making the space much more attractive and usable.
|
| Design Considerations |
 |
 |
Topographical map. The red arrow points to the subject property. The rear of the property descends rapidly to a broad creekbed, including a natural stone pavement and islands of trees and brush.
|
One of Patricia's design sketches for the back yard. The final result does not match this exactly, but the main shapes and contours are preserved.
|
| Additional Views |
Another view of the new front porch.
|
Front yard detail: Katie's Aralia.
|
Back yard detail: hibiscus flower in summer.
|
View from the creek. Patricia installed stonework to protect the creek bank. The back yard is up the bank to the right.
|
Datura provides night-blooming aromatic flowers outside the bedroom in summer.
|
The landscape has a definite sub-tropical feeling.
|
Back to top
Back to Portfolio |
Send mail to our webmaster with questions or comments about this web site. |
