News

Early October 2017 took the Tamate Landscaping team to the picturesque streetscapes of Glen Park, San Francisco. The house at 226 Fairmount Street needed a major backyard landscape overhaul. The original landscape of grass, bush and decorative plants left little room for relaxing outside.

Before, from parking area

After talking with the client about the possibilities, we pinpointed the goal. We would completely open the yard up and create an additional outdoor living space that the client could utilize for relaxing and outdoor entertaining.

The Backyard Landscape Project Begins

There was no way we could use the existing grounds. We gutted the entire backyard, including the paved walkway and faded, worn out, white lattice on the side. The old lattice was covered with dying ivy, which we also removed. We removed planters in favor of a more natural, planted aesthetic, to give the whole area an open, relaxing atmosphere. It took a lot of work, but only three weeks later, we have a beautiful backyard landscape, perfect for rest or entertaining, morning, noon and night.

Beautiful Backyard Landscape – Project Complete

We replaced the old pathway with interlocking pavers from McNear, in Slatestone Olevine. The dark color variation really makes the path stand out, in day or night. The pathway runs from the front gate entrance to the house/garden.

After, pathway made from McNear Interlocking Paver in Slatestone Olevine

Two steps down from the parking area, we installed a new redwood deck, large enough for several guests. The deck includes large planter boxes for decorative plants as well as strategic lighting. Step lights and path lights and uprights give the area a soft glow.

After: New redwood deck with large planter boxes, step lights, path lights and uprights

The planter boxes are made of new redwood combined with reclaimed cedar from the site. The two colors really helped pull the shifting gray of the pavers together with the red of the deck.

After: Planter boxes made of new redwood with reclaimed onsite cedar, hold decorative plants and upright lighting

After: Close-up of planter and back plant bed

Fresh, clean redwood lattice replaced the old, faded lattice. Not only does it provide a brighter backdrop, but it also hides the neighbor’s unsightly outer walls. Dying ivy and planters were removed in favor of decorative plants placed directly into the newly mulched plant bed. Back lighting provides additional illumination.

After: Redwood lattice, decorative plants and backlighting

We also replaced the stairs to the house with redwood and reclaimed, onsite cedar. Inset step lighting softens the darkness of the stairs.

After: View of deck, lattice and stair lighting from the path

An additional interlocking paver patio holds a natural gas fire pit, as well as lighting on a 3-circuit remote switch. The fire pit is an iron dish provided by the client, which we customized to accept a natural gas fire ring. The pit is now permanently tied into the gas line, so it can be used at any time.

After: Lower patio, made with interlocking pavers, holds a fire pit made from an Iron dish, customized to accept a natural gas fire ring

After: Close up of natural gas fire pit

I think you’ll agree, the final product is breathtaking!

After, at dawn: Framed redwood lattice screens the neighbor’s wall, illuminated steps lead to the house while the natural gas fire pit provides additional beauty to the landscape