This landscape puts the front lawn where it belongs… in the back, with the kids and dogs and balls and games. The front garden walkways are used by the same kids to roller skate, razer, draw with chalk, and skateboard jump. We used a combination of seating rocks and California Meadow Grass (Carex pansa) to create an informal front garden that is kid-friendly, without sacrificing an ounce of curb appeal. There is no place that kids are not allowed, and very little that they can damage. In the rear of the garden, the new entertainment deck is surrounded by raised concrete garden beds, so that the family can enjoy growing their own herbs and vegetables right near the barbeque. The massive stone light fixtures were designed as permanent sculptural components, as any small garden lights were bound to be annihilated in the back yard play space. We were pleased to hear that the Historic Preservation Board of Palo Alto gave our fence and arbor special mention as a part of their annual awards presentation.
Landscape design, supervision & photography: Chris Jacobson
Landscape architecture: Beverly Sarjeant, GardenArt Group Associate
Landscape installation: Sam Gomez