I have begun the build out of a DREAM GARDEN for a client. I was given total creative freedom w/ the incorporation of a few preferences listed below based on the owner's lifestyle. I have not documented every step as there are far too many details.

Property Description: Approx. 14K sq ft flat lot in the hills with city views.

Owner Preferences: Formal Walkway. Incorporate his & hers sheds, & playground. No swimming pool or outdoor bbq/kitchen setups. Minimize lawn. Low maintenance garden. Deter gophers, ground squirrels and other small pests.

Aesthetics | Contemporary Elegance.

Philosophy | "You only live once."

Front of the house w/ a hedge of rose bushes.

The start of a 120' planter

Entering the back yard. Here you can see various 20yr old trees.

I really hate ficus trees. Beautiful but I've had too many issues removing them which is never a simple task.

Owner wants to keep work shed on the left.

Off to the left is some 20yr old bougianvillas and more fruit trees.

There were also 3 self seeded washingtonias beyond the property wall which was leaning because of the bougies... It felt really good to take them out. REALLY GOOD.

AHHHHHH A clean slate/ fresh start.. couldn't we all use one?

Here is a 106' trench that is being dug 2' deep for the new wall that separates this property from two neighbors below.

This is the only way I'm going to remove lawn from now on.

Regrading... now if I could only figure out how to do that back when I was in school.

Trenching for slippers, water mains, irrigation and drains.

Here is a pic before the trenching.

Ripped it.

Another couple hundred ft of trench for running gas, electrical and rerouting water mains. All to code and at appropriate heights of course. It is only laid out this way while we do the plumbing.

Trenches and footings dug for walls and pillars

Demo guy chipped a foot of the driveway skirt so I had to replace the whole thing..

Concrete finishing.

Footings for pillars

The house is not straight w/ the curb so I had to do some tweaks to the pillars to get them to look proper.

Concrete finishing.

Footings for pillars

The house is not straight w/ the curb so I had to do some tweaks to the pillars to get them to look proper.

Are the pillars square with the house? If so, the house is miles out relative to the curb.

What do you have in mind regarding plants?

Trenching for slippers, water mains, irrigation and drains.

Good Gawd man! Lookit the size of that mushroom!!!

All seriousness aside, that is a great looking project with scads of potential.

That looks absolutely amazing!!! Can't wait to see what you have in mind. I will really enjoy watching this mammoth project progress! Thank you.

Cheers!

Tin

Gonzer, seriously - Good Gawd... scads? What - are you channeling Dave???

The ultimate garden design? The pressure´s on Overgrown...please show us the finished garden. Good Luck, Peter

Gonzer, seriously - Good Gawd... scads? What - are you channeling Dave???

Sorry, lost my head there for a moment...won't happen again. I promise!

Here's a quick update.

I will get into the details when the project finishes but we are nearing the end!

The professionals always make it look easy..... until the REST of us try it!

Thanks,

Rusty

Thanks for posting, looks great so keep us informed please.

Regards Mikey.

Wow what a project.... it's really coming along! What kind of cycads did you plant out front there??? Thanks! Jv

I have to admit that I was lost picturing what the pillars in the front were going to ultimately be. Seeing where you took it, I have to say I like it alot. Also like the new facade on the house. Nice brickwork and great overall look. Can't wait to see the front completed and really looking forward to what you end up doing in the back. Looking at the house and backyard I'm assuming most of the lot's square footage (14,000) includes land on the downward slope?? If so, will you be landscaping that area too? I'm kind of surprised with that view that they have now they didn't want a pool or bbq area.

BTW what zone are they in?

Thanks for taking to take the time to show the project as it progresses. I'm enjoying your photos a lot. When the rains let up, we'll be experiencing trenching and such ourselves, so this is kind of a preview for me. BTW you added the comment "Trenching for slippers, water mains, irrigation and drains" on one of the photos. What is/are slippers? Not familiar with the jargon.

Edited December 18, 201015 yr by WestCoastGal

Here's a quick update.

Those palms are all properly bound and gagged.

Show us more, after unbound and ungagged . . .

Nice job and beautiful Archontophoenix cunninghamiana(my favorites)

TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!! i love the archontophoenix!

Looks like it will be a nice touch of landscape and hardscape mixed together. I cant wait to see the pictures of the work in the back yard.

Wow what a project.... it's really coming along! What kind of cycads did you plant out front there??? Thanks! Jv

The cycads that flank the front are Dioon Mejia's. I also have some large encephalartos gratus and natalensis in the mix as well.

wow, that's a huge project! Thanks for posting the pics.

I have to admit that I was lost picturing what the pillars in the front were going to ultimately be. Seeing where you took it, I have to say I like it alot. Also like the new facade on the house. Nice brickwork and great overall look. Can't wait to see the front completed and really looking forward to what you end up doing in the back. Looking at the house and backyard I'm assuming most of the lot's square footage (14,000) includes land on the downward slope?? If so, will you be landscaping that area too? I'm kind of surprised with that view that they have now they didn't want a pool or bbq area.

BTW what zone are they in?

Thanks for taking to take the time to show the project as it progresses. I'm enjoying your photos a lot. When the rains let up, we'll be experiencing trenching and such ourselves, so this is kind of a preview for me. BTW you added the comment "Trenching for slippers, water mains, irrigation and drains" on one of the photos. What is/are slippers? Not familiar with the jargon.

I actually was mistaken.. the lot is 16,000 sq ft, all flat and use-able... it is a VERY nice property. They did not want a pool b/c most people who have them only like the idea of them but rarely get to use it and get their money's worth.. It turns into a money pit for most homeowners and those who can't afford to maintain, neglect it and it looks terrible.

Slips or Slippers are pipes varying from 1" to 4" to allow for access under hardscape. Like a slip to pass lighting cable/irrigation/misc/ etc..

Well, I have to wait out this rain, so here are a couple more teasers.. 450 Linear feet of bull nose concrete finishing w/ seashell additives for a hint of color.

Stamped concrete.

I ended up adding a 7th valve option (not shown in this picture) 1" schedule 40 direct lines to appropriate planter.

This is what the backyard looked a few weeks ago.. It is completely different now but this gives a general idea of where its going.

14 pallets of paving stones just for the backyard.

Edited December 21, 201015 yr by OverGrown

Driveway prepped.

The start of pavers in the back.. Currently finished but was rained out.

Thanks for the cycad answer and the additional teaser pics.... looks like a fabulous project. Very impressive! Jv

Ok, it's been three weeks. Where's the updates???

Ok, it's been three weeks. Where's the updates???

I haven't taken pictures yet, but I will make a new thread of the before and after's instead of photo documenting the whole process...

Wowzers! I can now appreciate that valve work. Nice clean job.

I too am anxiously awaiting to see the completed project. I'm curious what the backyard layout looks like and what finishing touches you used.

I just got word today that our guys will be here Monday morning to start marking and begin the trenching in our yard. I'm so excited. Your pics have been great, giving me an idea of what's to come in the days ahead. Keeping my fingers crossed that we get some continuous dry weather for a while now.

Edited January 14, 201115 yr by WestCoastGal