A shady front yard paver patio in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle under a large Sequoia tree. Corten steel planters with Creeping Jenny and Carex spilling over. The steel gas firepit brings warmth to the seating area wrapped by a cedar built-in bench. Installation by Daniel Gutierrez. Photos by Erin Lau. ... Read More

... Read More

Installation by Sage & Stone. Photos by Erin Lau. ... Read More

We designed for curb appeal and privacy for this Mid-century Modern house in Seattle. A sunken patio, defined by Cor-ten retaining walls, creates an outdoor dining area and fire pit nook. Tall grasses such as Miscanthus 'Yaku Jima' and clumping bamboo will eventually grow over 4' to provide privacy from the street. Other key plants include Blue Oat Grass, Sedums, Carex testacea, Fireglow Japanese Maples and Euphorbia Red Robin. Installed by Greener Living Solutions. ... Read More

A curving path welcomes visitors to this front yard, where ornamental grasses and colorful plants give year round interest. The gravel path is paved with concrete step stones. Plants flanking the path are grown in existing mounds for added height. Installed by Mountain High Gardening. ... Read More

Situated in a narrow side yard between two tall townhouses, this compact urban deck provides shade and sanctuary during the heat of summer. Yes, even in Seattle we need to find refuge from the sun during the middle of summer! And its amazing how much of a micro-climate is created within this space, where the temperature can be several degrees lower from the rest of the yard. Because utility companies still need access to all the meters, those are not hidden, but rather become part of the landscape. Corten steel ribbons create both steps and terraces down to the deck. Shade planting includes Selaginella, Acorus pulsillus, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Heuchera 'Caramel', Cornus 'Cardinal', and ... Read More

A spacious  front yard is transformed to include a contemporary concrete paver patio framed by colorful Northwest planting. A built-in Cedar bench is nestled against Clumping Bamboo. Dark gray Mexican Pebbles fill the gaps between the custom poured concrete pavers. A concrete planter provides height for architectural planting as well as a backdrop for address numbers. Photography by Suzy Bichl. ... Read More

This Seattle backyard originally contained a lawn and an old vegetable garden separated by a picket fence. It was transformed into an open-concept outdoor living space, complete with a gas firepit and concrete paver dining area. The 24"x24" concrete pavers are separated by 3" of dark gravel, and the gathering area has a formed in place concrete fire pit with a gas insert. A no-mow meadow, which includes Creeping Thyme, Geum, Scotch Moss and Leptinella, thrives under the part shade of the Plum trees. Installation by Northwest Landmark. Photography by Suzy Bichl. ... Read More

A collection of various details and features in the landscape. ... Read More

More space was created by retaining and flattening out the hillside of this Leschi back yard. A gravel terrace allows for ample seating room around a fire pit and a new deck off the kitchen facilitates the flow between all the living spaces. New planting provides a lush backdrop to this private back yard refuge. Landscape Contractors: 4 Brother’s Landscaping, Advanced Concrete LLC and Ryan Parshall of Cedar Craft Construction Architecture: Make Design Studio, Nicole Starnes Taylor Photography: Copyright © Erin Lau ... Read More