Murphy's New Yard: Behind the Scenes, Before and During Construction

The Plan.

Two months ago when we tackled this project, the first issue to address were the diseased Myoporum. They had a thrift and even after spraying, it was clear that they were dying. I suggested Pittosporum in their place. They're evergreen and grow fast.

So out they came, along with the plants underneath. The lawn was also removed.

We decided on an outdoor kitchen, wrapping around the existing brick patio where the portable one is sitting.

We also came up with the size and dimension for the pergola.

All the stepping stones were removed and a portion of the left porch would come out.

The plan included a spa, tucked behind the barbeque.

I was also pushing for a fireplace.

A lot of brainstorming, head scratching and trial and error went into the first days of construction.

Construction Phase.

After the initial demo, construction began on the pergola and kitchen.

About 3 feet of the porch was moved, making way for the kitchen.

Ward built an arbor over, mimicking the pergola.

Maureen and I went shopping for granite!

It was now time to address the cottage. We talked about making it a chicken coop with a sitting room.

I suggested replacing the door with new double French doors and creating a cottage retreat.

So, out came all the paint cans, tools and motorcycles!

The new bead board will be painted white, the cement floor will be gray.

A trellis was added to the top of the fence for privacy.

Meanwhile, the design for the fireplace proved to be challenging.

Originally, it would be a half moon brick area, large enough for two chairs.

I came up with the idea of a gravel path that would wrap around the grass, connecting the fireplace to the cottage, the main patio and also behind where the spa is, ending at the gate.

Laying out the border was a huge challenge. I think we tried three times and eventually got it right.

Laying out the border was a huge challenge. I think we tried three times and eventually got it right.

After the gravel went in, Maureen, Martin and I went shopping for plants at Pacific Nursery, a wholesale nursery in South San Francisco.

We bought three birch trees, four Japanese maples, lots of hydrangeas and azaleas, ferns, Mexican sage, and I don't know how many little boxwoods! Roses were previously ordered.

Ahhh, the homestretch!

When the grass gets installed, it is such a good feeling!

We were all very excited!

The only thing left to do now is finish up the painting, furnish the cottage and prepare for the party!

I enjoy designing gardens almost more than interiors! I have no formal education, just trial and error, and experience.

Here are a few tips, along with tried and true plants that grow in my zone:

*Favorite hardscape materials are brick, gravel and decomposed granite.

*Favorite shade loving plants are hydrangeas, azaleas, camelias, impatients and ferns.

*Favorite sun lovers are roses, Mexican sage, lavender, rosemary, geraniums and other bedding plants.

*Trees that do well in my zone are birch, maple, redwoods, locust and olive trees.

*Boxwoods always dresses up a garden.

*Bark or mulch added to the planting beds finish off the garden!

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Murphy's New Yard-- The Final Reveal!

Murphy is very happy with his new yard!

So are his parents, Maureen and Ward!

Let's take a look at the final result:

The cottage has a new life now! It was cleaned out and gutted, then new bead board paneling was added. Double French doors really open up the room, connecting it to the back yard.

I furnished it with "leftovers" from my garage, Maureen's attic and whatever else we could find.

The mirror belonged to Ward's Mom. She would be so happy knowing it found a new home!

The wingback is a flea market find. The table and burlap skirt is from Ballard.

A gravel path connects the cottage to the fireplace. Tiny boxwood borders the new lawn.

Ten white "Iceberg" standard roses border the back fence with Mexican Sage in between.

Pittosporum sits behind the roses and will eventually provide the privacy they lost when the old, diseased Myoporum were removed.

Another "room" to sit on a cool evening and enjoy a glass of wine!

The fireplace surround was faux painted to mimic stone, which was a huge improvement from the way it came out of the box!

New low-voltage lighting was installed front and back.

We're not talking solar here. These lights will last forever!

They are all on a timer to go on at dusk and turn off at a set time later.

The outdoor kitchen sits just outside the back door, making it easily accessible.

Ward built it from scratch!

It has a state of the art barbeque, a real sink and a refrigerator stocked with Diet Dr. Pepper!

The countertop is black granite with a leather-like texture.

Eventually, pink jasmine will cover the arbor.

Behind the outdoor kitchen is a shady, private area where the new spa lives.

The coat rack is ever ready to hold white robes!

New pink hydrangeas, white azaleas and ferns will thrive in this shady area with dappled sunlight.

Sitting in the spa, the trickle of the fountain can be heard.

Mexican Sage surrounds it, since this gets full sun.

An arbor leads you through a "room" which was created to be a potting area, hiding garden tools, etc.

The front yard is beyond the gate.

The pergola was the perfect place for the bridal shower yesterday.

More on that later. . .

Let's take a peek at the front yard shall we!

The house didn't need much embellishing as it has wonderful curb appeal already!

The chimney is magnificent, so my goal was to uplight it at night and plant Japanese maples on either side of it that would grow and soften the façade.

New foundation plants, grass, more tiny boxwoods and low-voltage lights went in.

Flagstone stepping stones are set in the grass, connecting the side yard to the back yard gate, where the gravel begins. We decided on gravel for the back because Maureen loves the sound when you walk on it. It also solves some drainage issues.

More Pittosporum was planted next to the two fences that border the home, eventually growing tall enough to create more separation and privacy. When the new bark went in, dressing all the flower beds, we called it a day and said "done!"

Murphy loves to sit out front, keeping track of the neighborhood!

He loves his new yard!

Stay tuned for more photos of before and during construction, a tablescape and the bridal shower that was held yesterday, catered by my son!

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Tale of Two Fire Pits

There is something primeval about sitting around a fire pit at night. If you are in to camping, it is probably one of the reasons you like it. In California, you can't build an outdoor fireplace that burns wood, but you can have a fire pit. Go figure.

We decided to build one up at our country house in Asti. At first my reason for adding a fire pit was to "break up" the expansive area that I was landscaping. The house had a raised mound septic field that we had to abandon. Originally covered in white gravel, I decided to scrape it off, add soil and plant olive trees around the perimeter, French lavender and Iceberg white roses and rosemary. Adding the fire pit in the middle gave the "mound" a purpose.

The pit was surrounded with a circle of crushed granite for seating and path of granite connected the whole thing to an existing path--the one with the grape arbor. Large rocks found on the property lined it and separated the area from the soil and plantings. Below, the construction in progress before the granite and stone fire pit.

Looking up the path to the circle.

Side view.

The final result. We found a woman in Sacramento who made these American fanback chairs out of redwood. They are perfect.

Sister-in-law Ann wanted a similar look and function for their backyard. After years of neglect and abuse from their two dogs, it was time to do something. I drew up a plan that would create a mini wine country retreat in their suburban backyard. So up came the grass--what was left of it. Down went large rock defining the borders and "rooms". They used a beautiful tan gravel surrounding their pit. Their existing grapes were added to to give the feel of a vineyard. There was also an existing flagstone patio. I suggested a tent for that area with dining table beneath and fanback chairs surrounding their fire pit. Brother-in-law George and his son Sam did all the work. Below, the work in progress and then the final result being enjoyed by family and friends. Now they use their backyard! Late night fires and wine--or s'mores!

Construction crew: George and son Sam. Notice the vineyard to the left. A great way to landscape a sloping yard.

Hazel the dog "helps". She better not dig up any new plants--her specialty!

Under the new tent.

The final result!

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