Landscape Design
Patio of the Week
Patio of the Week: Stylish Family-Friendly Front Yard
Sleek bluestone sets the stage for outdoor lounging and entertaining for a San Francisco Bay Area family
Situated at the end of a long driveway and surrounded by mature redwood, oak and olive trees, this front yard seating area in the San Francisco Bay Area feels perfectly secluded. Cafe string lights twinkle overhead, and the sun winks between the treetops, illuminating a stylish outdoor lounge overlooking a sweep of lawn and Mediterranean plantings. Where the home’s original carport had been now sits an inviting year-round outdoor living space.
The 6-foot-long natural gas fire feature casts warmth over the low-slung outdoor lounge and — thanks to the wide rim — doubles as a central table.
The homeowners selected all the outdoor furnishings themselves. The stretch of lawn in front of the patio provides play space for family soccer games — on display to anyone relaxing on the patio.
The patio angles away from the home, directing runoff water to a linear drain strip positioned at the edge of the patio next to the lawn.
The homeowners selected all the outdoor furnishings themselves. The stretch of lawn in front of the patio provides play space for family soccer games — on display to anyone relaxing on the patio.
The patio angles away from the home, directing runoff water to a linear drain strip positioned at the edge of the patio next to the lawn.
Wall-mounted lanterns and subtle LED path lights, stair lights and downlights positioned under the pergola illuminate the patio in the evening, along with a string of cafe lights over the lawn.
Thorne selected true-blue bluestone paving in a flamed finish to complement the soothing color palette of the outdoor space. The patio picks up blue-gray colors from the stone retaining walls and contrasts with the cedar’s dark stain and the plantings’ fresh, bright green hues.
The driveway, which ends at the yard, slopes up in the distance.
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Thorne selected true-blue bluestone paving in a flamed finish to complement the soothing color palette of the outdoor space. The patio picks up blue-gray colors from the stone retaining walls and contrasts with the cedar’s dark stain and the plantings’ fresh, bright green hues.
The driveway, which ends at the yard, slopes up in the distance.
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Thorne selected a drought-tolerant mix of ornamental grasses, shrubs and Mediterranean perennials to border the driveway as it runs down to the front yard. In the foreground we see purple-flowering fragrant English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and on the right edge an Arbutus ‘Marina’ tree.
Other plants in the beds include ‘Everillo’ sedge (Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’), Carolina laurelcherry (Prunus caroliniana ‘Bright ‘n Tight’), coast rosemary (Westringia fruticosa), and airy white gaura (Gaura lindheimeri).
Other plants in the beds include ‘Everillo’ sedge (Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’), Carolina laurelcherry (Prunus caroliniana ‘Bright ‘n Tight’), coast rosemary (Westringia fruticosa), and airy white gaura (Gaura lindheimeri).
The team also brought in large specimen olive trees (Olea europaea) to help bridge the difference in scale between the new plantings and the mature trees in the existing landscape. Climbing fig vines (Ficus pumila ‘Minima’) help cover and soften retaining walls.
Purple-flowering Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) and silvery lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’) frame the concrete steps that lead down to the patio and lawn area.
With all trace of the old carport gone, the homeowners now use the front patio as an extension of their living space, enjoying views of the garden and watching their children play. “In addition to the family meals and lounging by the fire table, the patio has become a center staging area where the family cheers on their kids’ soccer games on the weekend,” Thorne says.
Architectural designer: AG Design Studio
Landscape contractor: Ecliptic Landscapes
General contractor: Rolander Construction
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Purple-flowering Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) and silvery lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’) frame the concrete steps that lead down to the patio and lawn area.
With all trace of the old carport gone, the homeowners now use the front patio as an extension of their living space, enjoying views of the garden and watching their children play. “In addition to the family meals and lounging by the fire table, the patio has become a center staging area where the family cheers on their kids’ soccer games on the weekend,” Thorne says.
Architectural designer: AG Design Studio
Landscape contractor: Ecliptic Landscapes
General contractor: Rolander Construction
More on Houzz
Read other stories about patios
Browse patio photos for ideas and inspiration
Hire a landscape contractor to help with your next project
Patio at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with 5 children
Location: Piedmont, California
Size: 960 square feet (89 square meters); 24 by 40 feet (patio only)
Landscape architect: David Thorne Landscape Architect
Landscape architect David Thorne and his firm oversaw the larger landscape renovation of the grounds surrounding the 1950s-era home in Piedmont, California, purchased by an architectural designer and her husband. A patio area for outdoor living and entertaining, plus a space where the couple’s five children could play, were high priorities.
After the team explored a number of location options for the patio, the front yard won out. “The location is well-screened and well-set-back from the street,” Thorne says. “This position gets the best afternoon light as well.”
The patio’s design features a slightly elevated 24-by-40-foot outdoor entertaining area, which includes a lounge centered around a fire feature, an outdoor dining area beneath a cedar pergola and an outdoor kitchen with a small bar area (not shown) just off the home.
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