Grass plus pyramids equals one dramatic lawn in Laguna Beach By Kathleen N. Brenzel | Photography by Bret Gum PYRAMIDS ARE MADE for climbing. That's what architect Ryan Singer realized the first time he clambered atop one of the two 8-footers shown here. "I could see everything—the ocean and the house I designed—from a fresh perspective," he says. "It was amazing." Then he did what any kid would want to do: "I sat down and slid to the bottom." The pyramids flank an entry walk in front of a home in Laguna Beach, California. Made of hard-packed clay soil (excavated during a driveway remodel) and covered by plastic mesh, each rises from a 12-foot square in-ground concrete retaining wall. Drip tubing beneath the mesh irrigates the soft fescue grass. So how do you mow a nearly vertical lawn? It's not so hard as it looks: Start with a reel mower near the base, and then take a little off the top with a string trimmer.

Modern Landscape

Full View Of Backyard

Big Rock Landscaping

Outdoor lighting, including the cozy light from the fire pit, make this space a perfect retreat every evening.

After adding a paver approach on the driveway parking area, two Rivercrest Pillars flank your entry on to the Unilock Umbriano Paver Walkway. Ledgestone Coping at each step makes an inviting transition up the step to the stoop level, with Rivercrest SRW along the sides of the steps. Don Distel Photography

Paver Driveway

James Martin Associates

Request Free Quote A home’s landscape improvements start at the curb. Often a driveway entrance is the first impression, and so not to be overlooked is the driveway itself. Often times the material choice can make all of the difference. Common, traditional and cost effective materials are the classic stand-bys of asphalt and concrete. However, pavers present an opportunity to dress the driveway in a more expressive way. They can be used as a border framing traditional materials, as an apron arrival feature, or as a full complete field. Photographs by Linda Oyama Bryan

Hampton inspired small acreage

Huber Outdoor Design and Construction

Hampton inspired landscape - stage 1 - PVC fence

Going Native in Bel Air

Urban Oasis Landscape Design

We’ve used the core principles of sustainable design and firescaping in this breathtaking garden: permeable hardscape elements, proper grading and infiltration zones that solve the existing drainage problems and absorb the stormwater runoff, a plant palette of predominantly California native plants and an ultra-low water Kurapia lawn, organic soil building, and efficient drip irrigation with a smart timer.

Hardscape & Landscape - Amazing Design | Build

EMC General Contractors

Партерный цветник в дизайне сада

Ландшафтная мастерская Алены Арсеньевой

Живая изгородь из трех уровней. Первый уровень, самый низкий - спирея японская Голден Принцесс высажена перед барбарисом Турберга Голден Ринг и туей западной Смарагд. Самая высокая часть живой изгороди из пузыреплодника калинолистного Дьябло и Лютеус. Низкая часть живой изгороди хорошо смотрится на фоне газона и прикрывает нижнюю часть пузыреплодника, которая всегда оголяется.

Redefining Luxury Landscape Products

Techo-Bloc

Techo-Bloc, North America’s leading manufacturer of innovative concrete paving products, believes in style with substance making R&D both a core competency and a passionate pursuit. To that end, we build production facilities of the highest caliber and equip them with the latest technology including our own inventions. We ensure the landscape and masonry products we design and produce are functional, durable, and astonishingly beautiful. Find everything you’ll need to design your outdoor space at www.techo-bloc.com or call 1.877.832.4625.

1 Acre in Gilbert & A Complete Landscape Transformation - Lush Outdoor Living

Shearon Design Collective

1 Acre in Gilbert that needed a complete transformation from bad grass and desert plants to this lush dream home in prime Gilbert! Raised planters and hedges surrounding existing trees, new pavers, fire features - fireplace and fire pits, flower beds, new shrubs, trees, landscape lighting, sunken pool dining cabana, swim up bar, tennis court, soccer field, edible garden, iron trellis, private garden, and stunning paver entryways.

Harrington - Lake Minnetonka

Landscape Renovations, Inc.

Torrey Highlands , San Diego, Ca.

Exterior Designs Landscape

Paver sidewalk leading from the driveway to the backyard.

Green View Design and Landscape

Paver sidewalk added between driveway and backyard. Photo by Line Design Graphics. Visit Our Garden Center: 4706 Liberty Road Greensboro,NC 27406

Lansing Sustainable Landscape

Professional Gardener & Landscape Services, LLC

This property was design and installed in 2008. This is the first comprehensive Sustainable landscape in the State of Michigan. This comprehensive sustainable landscape features permeable paver driveway and walkway, porous concrete city sidewalk, large rain gardens, rain barrels, and recycled products such as recycled concrete for the base material and finished compost in the planting beds. Everything listed was installed over the course of 6 weeks and the homeowner has loved the fact that they have created a landscape that greatly helps the environment. This project was completed in the Old Westside Neighborhood by Sexton High School. As you can see in the pictures provided, we drastically changed the front of this home and the gardens have grown into very lush plantings. Specimen plants include (3) Weeping Alaskan Cedar, (1) Large Weeping White Pine, and (1) Weeping Beech. The plantings have created 4 season interest.

Recent Projects

SouthEast Sports & Play

Lawrence Manor Backyard Sunken Patio

Green Apple Landscaping

Torrey Highlands , San Diego, Ca.

Exterior Designs Landscape

Harrington - Lake Minnetonka

Landscape Renovations, Inc.

Garden Design Ideas with Concrete Pavers

Get Inspired by Gardens on Houzz

A lot of the time when you get home from a long day at work, all you want to do is wind down. Where better to do this than in your very own garden at home? If you do it right, a great garden design can send you right into holiday mode. But where to start? There’s so many styles to choose from when it comes to garden design. Whether you want to create a tropical, modern, contemporary, beach style or country garden - or something else entirely - the large garden image gallery on Houzz has got you covered. Get inspired and collect your ideas to narrow down your desired garden style and features.

How to Create a Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a garden and if it’s appropriate for your climate. You may want to consider adding a deck or other landscaping features, but the plants you choose will mostly dictate your style and what kind of ongoing maintenance is required. Don’t worry if your backyard isn’t very spacious - there are many plants that can thrive even in a small space and allow you to turn your space into a little paradise of your own, regardless of size.

Decide which plants to use

The greenery you choose is critical to your look. For example, if you’re trying to create a tropical garden palm trees and bamboo are your go-to options. Other popular options are golden cane palm trees and fern for ground cover. From there you can add some colour with bright flowers like frangipani, hibiscus or bromeliads. All these are actually quite hardy plants, so once established, your tropical garden is actually quite easy to maintain. Use this structure and apply it to your style. Research which plants you need to set your base for a garden and go from there.

Add some decor

If the plants don’t quite do it for you yet, or if you want to add some extra wow-factor, consider adding some extra features. Even if you can’t accommodate a swimming pool, hot tub or pond, you could look at smaller water features. Simple rocks can also have a great effect, while statues and gnomes will add some extra character. Don’t forget to add some furniture so you have a nice place to sit and enjoy your garden!

Need some help?

Once you know what you want your garden to look like, it may be hard to make it a reality on your own. If that is the case for you, consider consulting a professional to help you with your garden design. Every photo you find on Houzz will lead you to the local pro that did the job, so you won’t have a problem picking the perfect person to help! Whether you need a gardener in Brisbane, a landscape architect in Melbourne or a fireplace installer in Sydney, you can be sure to find one on Houzz.