Outdoor Kitchen Island Transforms Residence Our clients wanted to create an outdoor dining/cooking experience in their backyard that would be a destination for large parties & family gatherings. Our clients definitely did not want a “cookie-cutter” outdoor kitchen island! They envisioned a spacious bar top that would allow for guests to relax on bar stools & give plenty of countertop space for serving & preparing food. They also wanted a variety of cooking utilities including

Our clients loved their sprawling ranch estate for lots of reasons: a cooler coastal climate, beautiful views, & quiet evenings away from the city. A number of years ago, we were privileged to help them redesign the landscape surrounding the property’s main residence. We installed thousands of square feet of lush synthetic turf, dozens of beautiful Oak trees & created a series of meandering walkways around the property for daily exercise & walking their many dogs. One area of

Our clients were desperately wanting more from their backyard. They did not have enough space to entertain, the plants/trees were either overgrown or struggling to grow, & the yard simply lacked any sort of dominant theme or sense of design. Specifically, they dreamed of an outdoor kitchen space that could accommodate large family gatherings, a fire pit for the cold winter evenings, a dramatic change to the property’s hardscape, & a major update to the general garden design.

Our clients desperately wanted more from their back yard. While they had an existing pool & a rather large pergola over their back porch, there was still very little to really pull you outside. They dreamed of having a space that they could use for entertaining their large, extended family. Specifically, they envisioned a fire pit & an outdoor kitchen that might help create an extended living space outside. We worked with our clients to determine the perfect location for each

Our clients had a very ambitious idea when they first approached our designers: they wanted their very own private park created for their large extended family. They had a multi-acre sprawling property in the mountains of Tehachapi, CA & were desperately wanting a space that complimented the natural surroundings but also gave them a one-of-a-kind environment for family gatherings. They loved the idea of creating a true park environment, complete with lush grass, play space fo

With summer stepping on our heels, and with the intensity of Bakersfield summers, it’s only fit we talk about the best shade-giving trees for this area. Monji Landscape Companies has come up with a list of the Top 6 shade-giving tree varieties that flourish in this town. All the trees about to be mentioned not only over great protection from the sun during the summer, but they also look great in any landscape environment during the whole year. Kicking things off in the #6 po

Front Yard Makeover Our clients had always been dissatisfied with the “curb appeal” of their front yard. They desperately wanted a garden design that would set their house apart from the rest of the block. Their front yard did boast a beautiful, well-established Olive tree & our clients were interested in keeping with a Mediterranean/tropical garden theme. Our garden design focused on adding layers of textures & colors to the landscape design that would uniquely draw your eye

Outdoor Kitchen / Custom Firepit Our clients loved to BBQ & host large parties at their home & now wanted a patio that matched their enthusiasm. They dreamed of an outdoor kitchen island for grilling & a fire pit for guests to gather around. We began bringing their vision to life by eliminating a patch of struggling turf grass to make room for their new expanded, outdoor living space. We poured an expanded deck composed of a salt-finish concrete to give us a more functional p

When we began this project, our clients had a very unique request: get rid of our swimming pool! They had a rarely used swimming pool that d

Our client is currently building his family's dream home & had the ambition to craft it in the image of a true Frank Lloyd Wright home. The architecture is a homage to one of the greatest architects of all-time. We are now tasked with matching the beauty of the home with the landscape design we create. We are drawing equal inspiration from the landscape's that were design by Frank Lloyd Wright. Many of his most famous properties are equally known for their gardens as they are

Here is an in-depth look at one of our many upcoming projects slated for construction. Our clients wanted a drought tolerant landscape design that would be sustainable for our changing environment & beautiful. They were tired of wasting thousands of gallons of water each year to keep their lawn green & happy. They also felt like they could get more out of their front yard. They wanted a relaxing patio space to enjoy their mornings & evenings. They also did not want their drou

Our client had always been frustrated with the look of her yard. She explained to our designers that regardless of what she planted, it either died or simply struggled to live. Also, due to the new drought restrictions, she mentioned that her lawn was gradually deteriorating. She desperately wanted a garden design that would be drought-tolerant & beautiful. We began by completely removing the entire lawn thatch & the suffering plants. Next, we developed a stunning dry creek b

We are currently working on transforming our clients' dirt lot into a contemporary landscape design with a beautiful, modern swimming pool design. A rectangular, linear pool will be surrounded by synthetic grass to create a more lush decking without added maintenance. We are adding large, rectangular pathway stones to give movement to the space. We will also be creating a stunning ceramic fire bowl to add drama & warmth to the garden design. Finally, we will be designing an e

Water Wise Ranch Transformation Our clients in Tehachapi, CA, owned a sprawling ranch property with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. They had always been unhappy with their yard & wanted a landscape design that would more beautifully complement the property’s surrounding environment. They also wanted a landscape design to create a grander entry to the estate’s main drive approach. We began with a dramatic transformation to the drive approach utilizing a stunning

The importance of walkways in a garden is often over looked. However, walkways provide connection between different parts of the garden and without them, the garden can feel disjointed and unorganized. Here are some tips to follow when designing a garden pathway: Decide what style or atmosphere you would like to create. Straight pathways with right angles represent a formal style. Certain materials can also depict a formal atmosphere, such as stamped concrete. A “natural” or

Drought tolerant plants for California gardens Kangaroo Paw – Anigozanthos When it comes to drought tolerant plants, Kangaroo Paw is a standout option. Kangaroo paw is a herbaceous perennial plant with thick grass-like foliage and a unique flowering character. Flowers are fuzzy and range from red, pink, green, yellow and orange. They bloom from mid-spring to early summer and provide excellent color to any garden when planted in groupings. These drought tolerant plants have b

Creating a master plan for your garden is a great first step in organizing your ideas and developing a beautiful space. Step 1- Develop goals for each part of the garden. A plan is usually divided into four parts: the Approach and Arrival Sequence, the Hub or house, the Perimeter, and Passages to Destinations. Make a list of what you wish to improve in each section. Step 2 – Make a survey of the area and develop a base plan. A survey is a plan of your property showing all ex

Decomposed granite is a landscaping material made from granite aggregates 1/4” or smaller. It can be used for walkways, patio areas, planter mulching, etc. Driveway paving is another area where you might use decomposed granite. This material can come in tan or gray colors and can provide a natural, rustic look to any garden. If you are looking for an alternative to a concrete slab or asphalt, decomposed granite is an economical and aesthetically pleasing option. There are t

Beautiful gardens don’t have to be big. If properly designed, a small garden or small patio can become a lovely retreat just for you. Here are a few tips to designing a small outdoor space: 1) To create a functional small patio, keep your patio furniture scaled down to fit your space. Installing built in benches or custom shaped furniture can help create extra seating areas where traditional chairs would not otherwise fit. Also, matching the shape of your small patio to your

Recently, Rosewood Senior Living Community approached our designers to create a new, outdoor patio space for their residents to use for dining & socializing. The outdoor patio space was to be connected with the main dining area & closely connected to the property’s main entrance. We created an expansive outdoor kitchen that completely transformed the outdoor patio space. The outdoor kitchen offers beautifully colored granite countertops with room for bar seating. Aside from t