A WOODLAND RETREAT

Albany, CA | From an overgrown backyard lot emerges a restful woodland retreat. A small wooden deck at the back of the home gives way to a grassy play area, natural stone fountain, and wooden bench swing to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Creating a setting that encourages play and casual entertaining for their active, social family was a primary goal for the owners of this Craftsman era home.

At one corner of the site, stepped colonnades with Craftsman-style detailing lend proportion to a garden previously dwarfed by towering structures and neighboring trees. A sandstone patio and, elsewhere in the garden a rustic stone seatwall, couple form with function while native dry-woodland plantings are site-suitable and lend a lush feel, providing a peaceful backdrop of handsome natural elements for enjoyment of this renewed space.