Back Garden Ideas and Designs
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The back garden presented some unique challenges due to its significant level differences. Limited access made the space nearly unusable for our clients. The original hardscaped terracing needed significant updating and rebuilding due to partial collapse. We were tasked with adding functional seating, installing a water feature, and developing a safe way to access the bottom part of the garden. Learn how we were able to access all three levels of the serenity garden:
The area was divided into two terraces on different levels to avoid an overwhelming 'bunker-like' impression.
Our team completely removed the old structures and installed new retaining walls that have been built from gabion stone baskets.
We installed stainless-steel water shelves extending from chevron-patterned Siberian larch decorative screening.
A daily-use patio of porcelain slabs was installed to create a large dining area at the top terrace. A darker shade of slabs creates a line cutting through the whole area, creating a visual axis ending at the water feature.
The middle terrace is more like a chill-out zone with a custom floating bench and additional mobile seats that you put on top of the gabion wall, making it ideal for more sheltered, private gatherings.
Stairs from the middle terrace lead to the bottom garden, contrasting the highly developed upper garden. The bottom garden is a wilderness haven with extensive planting and a decent-sized frog pond. The new upper garden can be considered an observation point situated on the edge of the wilderness.


The landscape of this home honors the formality of Spanish Colonial / Santa Barbara Style early homes in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix. By re-grading the lot and allowing for terraced opportunities, we featured a variety of hardscape stone, brick, and decorative tiles that reinforce the eclectic Spanish Colonial feel. Cantera and La Negra volcanic stone, brick, natural field stone, and handcrafted Spanish decorative tiles are used to establish interest throughout the property.
A front courtyard patio includes a hand painted tile fountain and sitting area near the outdoor fire place. This patio features formal Boxwood hedges, Hibiscus, and a rose garden set in pea gravel.
The living room of the home opens to an outdoor living area which is raised three feet above the pool. This allowed for opportunity to feature handcrafted Spanish tiles and raised planters. The side courtyard, with stepping stones and Dichondra grass, surrounds a focal Crape Myrtle tree.
One focal point of the back patio is a 24-foot hand-hammered wrought iron trellis, anchored with a stone wall water feature. We added a pizza oven and barbecue, bistro lights, and hanging flower baskets to complete the intimate outdoor dining space.
Project Details:
Landscape Architect: Greey|Pickett
Architect: Higgins Architects
Landscape Contractor: Premier Environments
Photography: Sam Rosenbaum


Glencoe IL Formal sideyard garden walk leading to rear yard pool oasis. French inspired theme. By: Arrow. Land + Structures. Landscape Architects and Builders----The sideyard path leads visitors towards the rear yard poolside retreat. Sideyards present an opportunity to create an an articulated approach that pulls you in towards your destination.


The inviting fire draws you through the garden. Surrounds Inc.


Turning into the backyard, a two-tiered pergola and social space make for a grand arrival. Scroll down to the first "before" photo for a peek at what it looked like when we first did our site inventory in the snow. Design by John Algozzini and Kevin Manning.
Back Garden Ideas and Designs
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