Thank you to these wonderful clients and the opportunity to be with them again in this beautiful space. The textural mix and lovely, soothing water are very satisfying as a complement to their home. Contemporary and interesting without fuss — this defines the garden as well as these accomplished Bay Area academics who retired to a bucolic foothill community. They desired a space that supports their sophisticated and joyful ways. Bluestone paving and thoughtful wood details provide warmth and efficiently support entertaining.

This project began with a narrow, flat backyard that had sat bare for over two years — a challenging site in a 55+ community with limited vegetation and shifting light conditions. The clients wanted to transform it into something visually rich and functionally versatile, and I worked closely with them to develop a design that would meet those goals while supporting easy plant care and drought tolerance.

We collaborated on every detail, blending their vision with my expertise to create a calming space that connects beautifully to their indoor living areas. Years later, I was invited back to visit — a wonderful reminder of how meaningful these relationships and outdoor spaces can be.

“The end result of Monica’s design is an absolute oasis. A joy to contemplate from indoors and a truly relaxing space to enjoy when outdoors. We just love it. And to top it all off, Monica continues to care about our landscape and stays in touch… Can’t imagine a better combination of talented landscape designer and kind human being.”
— JAG & RBG