Outdoor entertaining was the primary goal for this West Santa Rosa landscape project. Located a mile or two west of downtown Santa Rosa in a small country subdivision, the property presented a blank slate in the backyard and a plain wall-to-wall lawn in the front yard that lacked interest and character.
The homeowners initially contacted Details Landscape Art to design and build the backyard landscape. A few years later, pleased with the results, they invited us back to renovate the front yard as well.
Outdoor Entertaining Begins with Good Design
The property was flat, very large, and extended nearly six hundred feet behind the residence. Like many country properties in Sonoma County, it also had a healthy gopher population.
To create a sense of intimacy and make the project more manageable, we designed and built a beautiful redwood fence, gate, and arbor across the width of the property, effectively dividing the elongated yard into two separate spaces.
Dividing the outdoor entertaining area with a fence and arbor
Reducing the scale of a large property not only helps manage the budget, but also creates a more comfortable and inviting garden experience.
Along the east property line, we constructed a six-foot, three-railed redwood fence with a 2×6 cap. The homeowners later stained the fence a rich dark brown.
Creating Spaces for Outdoor Entertaining
At the heart of the backyard we designed a stamped concrete patio consisting of two intersecting circles.
The larger circle accommodated an outdoor dining table with an umbrella and seating for four. The smaller circle was designed around a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs.
Behind the fire pit area we built an eighteen-inch seat wall. Constructed of reinforced concrete and faced on both sides with cultured stone, the wall was capped with flagstone and provided additional seating for family gatherings and guests.
Outdoor entertain area included patio, seat wall and fire pit
A well-designed garden should always make entertaining easy and comfortable.
Blending Hardscape and Plantings
An existing deck adjacent to the residence was incorporated into the design. A lawn area connected the deck to the patio, while flagstone steppingstones provided a graceful transition between spaces.
Planting areas were created around the patio, lawn, and walkways to soften the hardscape and provide year-round interest.
Two large Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ trees were strategically placed to provide afternoon shade over the patio and seat wall during warm summer months.
Additional plantings included white roses, westringia, Viburnum ‘Spring Bouquet’, and ornamental grasses that created a beautiful mix of heights, textures, and bloom seasons.
Extending Outdoor Entertaining to the Front Yard
Several years later, the homeowners asked us to renovate the front yard to match the feel of the backyard.
The wall-to-wall lawn was removed, and we designed a curving stamped concrete walkway that connected the front entry to both the driveway and the street, allowing visitors easier access to the home.
The deteriorated side fence was replaced with a matching six-foot capped redwood fence consistent with the backyard design.
Six-foot capped fence in front yard
The remainder of the front yard was planted with a tapestry of low-maintenance shrubs and ornamental grasses. A western redbud ‘Forest Pansy’ served as the feature tree, providing beautiful spring flowers and colorful foliage.
A low-voltage lighting system highlighted the trees and walkways, while a layer of bark provided the finishing touch.
A Garden Designed for Gathering
This West Santa Rosa featured garden demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform both front and back yards into beautiful and functional outdoor spaces.
From patios and fire pits to lawns, walkways, and lighting, every element was designed with outdoor entertaining in mind.
At Details Landscape Art, we believe the best gardens are those that bring family and friends together while remaining beautiful throughout the seasons.