Start with a synthetic lawn, and make it a big lawn. Extend the space under the deck, clean it up and take advantage of the shade. Use every inch of the space. Entertaining is important, especially in the evenings, so let’s have some pools of light to make things cozy. Oakland 2022

This Green Alchemy client had a short concrete pad off the double glass doors that stopped at doors length. After that it was weedy, patchy grass, a deteriorating fence and lack luster planter beds. A new garden was designed for the active family. Dad likes to work out, the kids like to kick balls around and rough house, mom likes to make their environment enjoyable for friends and family.

So a new fence went up, contemporary and horizontal, which helped to widen the space.

The planter bed was lifted into a raised planter box giving the garden interest, structure and height variance. The planter box was clad with TerraMai’s ‘Lost Coast Faux Sugi Ban’ product, a salvaged redwood material.

The old concrete was removed and a new, expanded patio of tinted concrete was installed that expanded the feel of the space and made a definite connection between the interior and exterior of the house.

TerraMai’s ‘Lost Coast Faux Sugi Ban’

The ever popular, Heated Helios Lounge needed an outlet and the outlet needed to blend in (and be soccer ball proof.)

And, last but not least, dad got his pull up bar.

A Green Alchemy client moves into a contemporary style home that features a glum and frumpy garden space.  The prominent feature of this home is a folding glass wall that invites the inside and outside areas to seamlessly merge.  

The clients have a young daughter who needs room to play.  Vegetable gardening, grilling and entertaining were all priorities.  

Finding happiness in minimal clean lines.

A new-to-us home with an up and running toddler gets a Green Alchemy landscape.

The clients want a design that will allow them to spend time in their garden with family and friends.  They want their garden to be kid friendly and interactive.

Blocking out the neighbors was not as big a concern as blocking the noise from the nearby freeway.  An arbor is constructed and a sprawling vine is planted to help block the noise, define the space and provide support for down lighting.

A natural stone tile patio was installed to provide room for bigger gatherings.

Thought the design work was completely, budget allowed only the back to be installed. Green Alchemy was asked back two years later to complete the front.

This Green Alchemy client had a dilemma. The backyard is small, narrow and filled with a giant stone outcropping. The houses above peer into the space. What to do? Climb the boulder of course!

This Green Alchemy client had a dreary deck off the kitchen that was exposed to the street and neighbors above.

These clients love, love, love to cook for their friends so a more sophisticated, yet cozy, design was needed. A beautiful Italian porcelain tile was installed along with an area of synthetic lawn. The retaining walls were faced with matching porcelain cladding. Beautiful Zuri composite was used for the steps and trim. Stainless steel railings with glass infill allow the view to be part of the ambiance. A state of the art fireplace and lighting system allow for the party to linger past dusk.

This Green Alchemy client has a lot of people, or all ages, coming and going through the front entry. The front garden needed practical and stylish hardscape, a bin enclosure and a fence that presented a boundary not a barrier.

This Green Alchemy client has three children under the age of 10. The back yard was ugly and the garage was too small to park a car. So the garage was remodeled as a family room and the back yard was tiled over. To bring in more nature, vines were grown on surrounding walls and trees and plants were tucked in along the edges.

Green Alchemy meets up with a couple that have a new-to-us-home, a two year old son and a baby on the way.  They need help and they need it yesterday.  The baby is due in a few months and a celebration is planned with family and friends arriving from near and far.  Their outdoor spaces had been put on hold but now they need them more than ever.  Not a problem, Green Alchemy’s got you covered.

A confined space gets an airy design.

A tile wall for privacy.  A blacksmiths art for beauty.

A cozy outside nook for alone time or for intimate gatherings.

This garden gets a fresh start. 

Green Alchemy takes out the old retaining wall, constructs a pressure treated wall with drainage, and then faces it with smooth horizontal redwood  boards.  The cap is a black limestone with textured edges.  The wall is three feet tall.

A short fence like structure set back from the retaining wall provides a nice backdrop for a planting of assorted succulents.

These Green Alchemy clients entertain often. But everyone always hung around the kitchen because the garden had nothing to offer. After creating paths with stone benches, nooks under arbors and adding lush plantings, the draw was huge.

A work in progress. This Green Alchemy garden has come a long way. From rock, rubble and slope to a fantastic level area of synthetic lawn, seating nook, drought tolerant plantings and secure stairs that the whole family can enjoy. And a closed in gate updates the look while providing privacy and security.

Something for themselves, but also something to make it nice when the kids come home to visit.