Outdoor Rooms and Stylish Plantings Tame a Hilly Lot
See how a tangle of overgrown shrubs and cracked concrete became a welcoming place for outdoor cooking, dining, gardening and relaxing
Homeowners Rob Lieberman and Brian Schneider recognized the possibilities in the sloped, overgrown lot behind their turn-of-the-century Victorian from the start. “When we looked at the house, the potential to have indoor-outdoor space was apparent even though the work [would prove to be] sometimes overwhelming,” Lieberman says.
They brought in landscape designer Beth Mullins early on to help transform the space. From her experience with other hilly San Francisco gardens, Mullins knew that with the right layout and a fair bit of terracing, a slope provides opportunity. “The design fits together like a puzzle,” she says. “Retaining walls turn into benches and fountains and steps.”
They brought in landscape designer Beth Mullins early on to help transform the space. From her experience with other hilly San Francisco gardens, Mullins knew that with the right layout and a fair bit of terracing, a slope provides opportunity. “The design fits together like a puzzle,” she says. “Retaining walls turn into benches and fountains and steps.”
AFTER: As you step out from the kitchen through a pair of large French doors at the back of the house, the garden slopes upward away from the building. Although the lot faces north, the planting beds get plenty of sun, thanks to the length of the lot and few shadows cast by surrounding buildings.
Mullins worked with Shervin Tajbaksh of Ewald Tajbaksh Architecture and contractor Lane McCauley of Sage Build to design and build a series of retaining walls positioned to keep the slope in place and define terraces for different uses. The terrace closest to the house is designed as an outdoor kitchen, the middle terrace is set up for dining and relaxing, and the upper terrace holds planting beds and the kitchen garden.
Designing the terraces so that each has a different function maximizes space in a small lot. “Having more places to go to makes the garden feel bigger,” Mullins says. “Each level is a destination and creates the sense of possibility in that space.”
Mullins worked with Shervin Tajbaksh of Ewald Tajbaksh Architecture and contractor Lane McCauley of Sage Build to design and build a series of retaining walls positioned to keep the slope in place and define terraces for different uses. The terrace closest to the house is designed as an outdoor kitchen, the middle terrace is set up for dining and relaxing, and the upper terrace holds planting beds and the kitchen garden.
Designing the terraces so that each has a different function maximizes space in a small lot. “Having more places to go to makes the garden feel bigger,” Mullins says. “Each level is a destination and creates the sense of possibility in that space.”
The outdoor kitchen on the lowest garden tier connects with the kitchen inside the house. “The doors are always open,” Lieberman says. “Brian and I and our dog, Minnie, are out there whenever we are home. Our neighbors are able to jump the fence and enjoy a glass of wine with us.”
A built-in outdoor grill and concrete countertop allow for easy outdoor cooking and entertaining. The concrete flooring is made up of poured slabs surrounded by planting pockets for low-water silver carpet (Dymondia margaretae) and tufts of green mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), which help with drainage and break up the expanse of concrete.
A built-in outdoor grill and concrete countertop allow for easy outdoor cooking and entertaining. The concrete flooring is made up of poured slabs surrounded by planting pockets for low-water silver carpet (Dymondia margaretae) and tufts of green mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), which help with drainage and break up the expanse of concrete.
The outdoor dining area sits on the middle terrace. Lieberman found a piece of marble mottled with charcoal, warm brown and concrete gray for the dining table — picking up the hues of the garden hardscape. The slab itself was so heavy that the metal fabricator built the table legs to fasten permanently to the ipe wood deck for extra stabilization.
Pillows covered in plush lapis-colored velvet soften the wraparound bench seating.
Pillows covered in plush lapis-colored velvet soften the wraparound bench seating.
The poured concrete retaining walls between terraces are 4 to 4½ feet tall, and are engineered with proper reinforcements and drainage. To maximize floor space, the walls double as the backs to ipe wood benches, raised planters and a water feature.
The walls are finished with a smooth stucco coat. Their pigment was color-matched to Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore, distinguishing them from the poured concrete flooring. “I wanted the walls to recede a bit since they were so tall, but still be an accent,” Mullins says. “I find that darker colors can accomplish that.”
The walls are finished with a smooth stucco coat. Their pigment was color-matched to Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore, distinguishing them from the poured concrete flooring. “I wanted the walls to recede a bit since they were so tall, but still be an accent,” Mullins says. “I find that darker colors can accomplish that.”
For plants, Mullins selected a mixture of low-water small trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, easy-care perennials and succulents in a color palette of green, chartreuse, silver, dusty blue and purple. Mullins chose the plants more for their form and texture — rather than for showy flowers — to create a more contemporary look.
This planting bed highlights a contrast of textures. The fleshy purple succulents Echeveria ‘Perle von Nürnberg’ contrast with airy Breeze mat rush (Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’), fuzzy silver ‘Big Ears’ lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’) and tufts of ‘Elijah Blue’ blue fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’) for a stunning vignette.
This planting bed highlights a contrast of textures. The fleshy purple succulents Echeveria ‘Perle von Nürnberg’ contrast with airy Breeze mat rush (Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’), fuzzy silver ‘Big Ears’ lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’) and tufts of ‘Elijah Blue’ blue fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’) for a stunning vignette.
Nonfruiting olives fill in the garden’s top tier amid meadow-like drifts of Breeze mat rush and purpletop vervain (Verbena bonariensis).
A series of wooden raised beds above the dining terrace, toward the back fence, holds veggies and herbs used in the kitchen. “We grow tomatoes in summer,” Lieberman says. They grow beans, peppers, lettuces and a variety of herbs year-round. All plants are hydrated with drip irrigation.
A series of wooden raised beds above the dining terrace, toward the back fence, holds veggies and herbs used in the kitchen. “We grow tomatoes in summer,” Lieberman says. They grow beans, peppers, lettuces and a variety of herbs year-round. All plants are hydrated with drip irrigation.
Taking advantage of the natural grade change of the property, Mullins designed a sleek fountain to spill down from the upper tier to the dining terrace. The sheet of water pours over the edge of a stainless steel weir to fall 3 feet into a pool below.
The rectangular basin, made of poured concrete and waterproof pool sealant, extends about 8 feet and runs under the stairs. The fountain pump is hidden from view behind the retaining wall.
The rectangular basin, made of poured concrete and waterproof pool sealant, extends about 8 feet and runs under the stairs. The fountain pump is hidden from view behind the retaining wall.
At the bottom of the stairs, on the terrace closest to the house, a shallow 42-inch-wide Cor-Ten steel fire bowl creates an inviting flicker of light. Powered by gas, the fire pit doesn’t give off any smoke, but still pumps out plenty of warmth on foggy San Francisco evenings.
Bol fire pit: Paloform
Bol fire pit: Paloform
Mullins placed the fire pit close to the stairs with the hope that the steps could be used as extra seating when the couple hosts parties. She experienced its success at a backyard party. “People who wanted more heat were on the concrete bench that radiates heat from the fire pit, and others would sit on the wood benches and steps. We could all talk as a group, but the space felt open to walk in.”
Soft landscape lighting makes the garden glow when viewed from the house after sundown. Mullins included just enough lighting to make the space feel inviting — and safe to negotiate the steps in the dark — without it being overly bright.
At an early meeting with Mullins, Lieberman showed her a beat-up set of red metal lanterns he had found. Mullins had the lanterns restored so that they could be used as accents for the garden. Here, they’re sitting on top of the second retaining wall.
At an early meeting with Mullins, Lieberman showed her a beat-up set of red metal lanterns he had found. Mullins had the lanterns restored so that they could be used as accents for the garden. Here, they’re sitting on top of the second retaining wall.
LED stair lights illuminate the path from the house to the second terrace. For a more subtle, contemporary look, the off-the-shelf step lights were retrofitted with a plain cover custom-made by a metal fabricator.
Lights: FX Luminaire
Lights: FX Luminaire
Space 2: New Driveway and Garage
BEFORE: The homeowners also worked with the team to transform their front yard. The home’s original front yard offered neither curb appeal nor room for parking. Adding a driveway and garage required a major excavation and the removal of truckloads of dirt. In the end, it was well worth the effort.
BEFORE: The homeowners also worked with the team to transform their front yard. The home’s original front yard offered neither curb appeal nor room for parking. Adding a driveway and garage required a major excavation and the removal of truckloads of dirt. In the end, it was well worth the effort.
AFTER: They added the garage to the basement. Foliage softens the poured concrete walls that flank the driveway. Narrow Cor-Ten steel planters provide just enough room for lush, easy-care plantings of creeping fig (Ficus pumila), sedges (Carex spp.), and, in the foreground, echeverias and chalk dudleya (Dudleya brittonii).
A fresh coat of plum-colored paint highlights the classic Victorian bay window and relates to the burgundy leaf tones of fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense).
General contractor: Lane McCauley of Sage Build
Architect (for retaining walls, garage and home exterior): Shervin Tajbaksh of Ewald Tajbaksh Architecture
Read more stories about urban gardens
A fresh coat of plum-colored paint highlights the classic Victorian bay window and relates to the burgundy leaf tones of fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense).
General contractor: Lane McCauley of Sage Build
Architect (for retaining walls, garage and home exterior): Shervin Tajbaksh of Ewald Tajbaksh Architecture
Read more stories about urban gardens
Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: Rob Lieberman and Brian Schneider
Location: Castro District of San Francisco
Lot size: 3,750 square feet (348 square meters)
Designer: Beth Mullins of Growsgreen Landscape Design
Space 1: Terraced Backyard
BEFORE: Before work began, the garden was a tangle of overgrown shrubs and exposed aggregate concrete steps. There was little reason to draw a visitor into the backyard.
To carve out space for outdoor living and planting beds, the first step was dealing with the slope. “Terracing the hillside to be functional required some thought,” Mullins says, “and we had to remove a lot of dirt to make the tiers work.”