Retaining Wall & Turf
MONUMENT
This landscape makes a dramatic statement from the moment you arrive, with a massive tiered retaining wall defining the front of the home and creating a strong architectural presence. Layered mulch beds, ornamental grasses, and carefully placed boulders soften the structure while adding texture, movement, and natural character. Positioned to overlook the surrounding landscape, the front yard creates a striking connection between the home and its environment.
Native grasses surround the property, reinforcing the natural setting while providing seasonal movement and visual interest. In the backyard, an expansive lawn offers a versatile space for recreation and relaxation, complemented by a small flagstone patio that creates a comfortable gathering area. The combination of bold structural elements and simple outdoor living spaces results in a landscape that feels both impressive and approachable.
Full Landscape with Water Feature
NORTHGATE
This award-winning landscape transformation turned a steep, challenging backyard into a multi-level outdoor retreat designed for everyday living. Set against the Colorado foothills, the property presented unique challenges with significant elevation changes, existing scrub oak, and the need to create functional spaces without disrupting the natural character of the land. Rather than fighting the slope, the design embraced it, creating a series of connected outdoor spaces that feel integrated into the surrounding environment.
The upper terrace became the centerpiece for gathering, featuring natural stone patios, fire pit areas, outdoor seating, and a hot tub space positioned to take advantage of the surrounding views. Multiple tiers allow each area of the landscape to serve a different purpose, with a central lawn space providing room for kids and pets to play while ornamental grasses, drought-tolerant plantings, and native-inspired materials soften the transitions between levels.
The lower portion of the property transforms the hillside into an area for recreation and exploration, incorporating curved walkways, boulder features, native plantings, and preserved vegetation. Natural stone stairways connect each level, creating a seamless journey through the landscape while solving the challenges of accessibility and elevation changes.
This project showcases how challenging terrain can become one of a property’s greatest assets. By working with the natural slope, preserving existing vegetation, and carefully balancing outdoor living, recreation, and the surrounding landscape, this backyard became a space built not just to admire, but to be lived in.
Sunken Firepit & Xeriscaping
STERLING RANCH
Designed as a standout feature for this Vantage model home, this landscape creates a dramatic outdoor retreat that draws you in from the moment you arrive. The centerpiece is a sunken circular fire pit surrounded by a custom retaining wall and built-in seating, creating an intimate gathering space while providing privacy within a suburban setting. Stone steps lead guests down into the fire pit area, making the transition feel intentional and inviting.
The landscape surrounding the fire pit follows the same curved geometry, reinforcing the design through a series of sweeping planting bands. Bright flowering plants create a bold ring of seasonal color, while barberry shrubs add rich contrast and structure. Feather reed grasses bring movement and texture throughout the landscape, complemented by mulch beds and carefully placed lawn areas that create balance between open space and plantings.
With its vibrant colors, organic curves, and unique outdoor living space, this landscape was designed to make people stop and take notice. It demonstrates how creative design can transform a standard suburban yard into a private, memorable destination for gathering and relaxing.
Dry Creek Bed & Side Yard Xeriscaping
FLYING HORSE RANCH
This landscape embraces the entire property, creating a cohesive design that flows naturally from the front yard to the side and backyard spaces. The front of the home balances traditional curb appeal with water-wise design, combining an open lawn area with xeriscape plantings that add texture, color, and visual interest while complementing the home’s architecture.
Along the side yard, a traditional public sidewalk is transformed into a dynamic landscape experience. Curved planting beds, decorative rock, large boulders, mulch, and carefully selected plantings create movement and soften the transition between the home and the street. A large dry creek bed extends from the front of the property toward the backyard, adding both function and visual connection between the different areas of the landscape. Russian sage and small spruce shrubs bring seasonal color, structure, and contrast throughout the design.
In the backyard, a large retaining wall defines the outdoor space while creating a comfortable area centered around an open lawn. The combination of flowing curves, natural materials, and playful planting choices gives the landscape a sense of personality and charm. The result is a design that feels polished yet approachable—carefully organized while still capturing the relaxed character of a natural landscape.
Outdoor Living & Fireplace
SANCTUARY POINTE
This expansive property was designed to make the most of its available space, creating dedicated areas for recreation, relaxation, and outdoor living. A poured concrete basketball court becomes a standout feature of the landscape, framed by retaining walls, decorative rock, and intentional plantings that define the space while integrating it naturally into the overall design.
A large lawn area surrounded by established trees provides an open, flexible space for everyday activities, while the long driveway creates an impressive arrival experience with xeriscape plantings and a diverse mix of decorative rock in varying colors and sizes. The use of natural materials adds texture and visual interest while maintaining a cohesive connection throughout the property.
Near the pool area, two large retaining wall tiers create structure and guide the landscape through the elevation changes, with each level stepping naturally into the surrounding space. A stacked stone outdoor fireplace with a pergola creates a comfortable gathering destination, adding warmth and function to this expansive backyard. By combining large-scale features with carefully planned transitions, this landscape transforms a spacious property into a series of purposeful outdoor experiences.
Paver Patio with Fire Pit
THE FARM
This suburban landscape transforms a traditional property into a series of connected outdoor spaces designed for everyday enjoyment. The front yard features a refined mix of decorative rock in shades of blue, gray, and gold, complemented by a small lawn area, mulch beds, and intentional plantings that create a polished yet approachable entrance.
Along the side of the home, a winding stone pathway guides visitors through the landscape and naturally transitions into the backyard. Decorative rock, mulch beds, and raised garden beds add texture and function throughout the space, while an expansive lawn provides room for recreation and relaxation. Continuing the same stonework style, the pathway leads to a dedicated fire pit area surrounded by ornamental grasses and vibrant purple flowers, creating a comfortable destination for gathering.
With defined spaces, cohesive materials, and a focus on usability, this landscape demonstrates how thoughtful design can turn a standard suburban yard into a functional outdoor retreat for both everyday living and entertaining.
Large Waterfall & Pond
PALMER PARK
This landscape features a truly impressive water feature that transforms the property into a destination of its own. A small upper pond feeds into a series of cascading waterfalls, flowing through multiple tiers before collecting in a larger lower pond. Built with a combination of rounded river rock and riprap, the feature feels as though it has naturally existed within the landscape, blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment.
A winding flagstone pathway with Siloam stone steps follows the edge of the water feature, creating a unique journey from the lower level of the property to the upper terrace. This connection between levels allows the feature to be experienced from multiple perspectives while adding movement and discovery throughout the landscape. Ornamental grasses and colorful flowering plants surround the water, softening the stonework and enhancing the natural feel of the space.
With fish swimming throughout the ponds and lily pads floating across the water’s surface, this feature creates a peaceful ecosystem that can be enjoyed from both levels of the home. Backed by the property’s natural surroundings, the design brings together water, stone, and plant life to create a one-of-a-kind outdoor retreat.
Stone Fireplace with Xeriscaping & Turf
BANNING LEWIS
This landscape combines custom outdoor living with natural elements to create a space that feels both functional and connected to its surroundings. The centerpiece of the backyard is a custom paver stone fireplace built on a circular paver rotunda, featuring integrated firewood storage and a surrounding wall that creates a comfortable gathering space. The curved design is complemented by a balance of decorative rock on one side and open lawn on the other, creating a seamless transition between hardscape and landscape.
Young plantings throughout the property add layers of color, texture, and future growth, while maintaining an open feel as the landscape continues to mature. In the front yard, flowing curves bring together lawn, mulch, decorative rock, and a dry creek bed to create a cohesive and welcoming entrance. A matching creek bed element continues through the backyard, weaving through the landscape and tying the different areas of the property together.
With its combination of custom craftsmanship, organic movement, and purposeful outdoor spaces, this landscape creates a welcoming retreat that will continue to evolve and become more established over time.
Paver Patio, Fire Pit and Deck (B & A)
OLD BROADMOOR
This landscape was designed to create comfortable outdoor living spaces while maintaining a strong connection to the property’s natural surroundings. A paver patio serves as the foundation for the backyard gathering area, bordered by a low, rounded stone retaining wall that defines the space while preserving an organic feel. The upper portion of the retaining wall features decorative rock and established trees, creating a natural transition from the patio into the surrounding landscape.
A custom rectangular stone fire pit provides a dedicated gathering space, while the landscape beyond gradually returns to native grasses and a more natural setting. Along the side of the home, a xeriscaped pathway winds through the property, combining gray gravel, blue decorative rock, and larger pink river rock to add contrast and texture. Established trees throughout the area help the landscape feel integrated with its surroundings rather than newly constructed.
A custom deck overlooks the space, offering elevated views of the outdoor living areas and the natural landscape beyond. By using carefully defined spaces, water-wise materials, and minimal disruption to the existing environment, this design creates a retreat that feels intentional while remaining connected to the beauty of the property.
Xeriscaping & Turf Renovation (B & A)
PINE CREEK
This large property was transformed into a cohesive landscape that wraps around the home, creating defined outdoor spaces while improving the overall function and appearance of the yard. Areas of dead, patchy grass were replaced with decorative rock, providing a cleaner, lower-maintenance foundation that complements the surrounding landscape.
In the backyard, a rounded flagstone patio creates a comfortable seating area surrounded by decorative rock, offering a natural gathering space that feels connected to the rest of the property. A newly installed lawn area bordered by mulch provides an open space for recreation, while an inset stone pathway through the grass guides visitors to a second seating and dining area tucked into the landscape.
The front yard received a complete refresh with new sod, strategically placed boulders, and additional plantings that add structure and visual interest. A stone pathway continues around the side of the home, tying each area together and creating a natural flow throughout the property. The result is a versatile landscape with purposeful spaces for relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying the outdoors.
Front Yard Xeriscape with Rock Bed
COLORADO SPRINGS
This landscape was designed to feel like a natural extension of its surroundings, enhancing the home’s character while blending seamlessly into the neighborhood. Mature trees create a canopy of dappled sunlight throughout the property, while organic mulch beds, thoughtfully placed plantings, and a dry creek bed add texture and natural movement.
The front yard features an open lawn area framed by stonework, layered plantings, and a welcoming flagstone pathway leading to the home. The landscape strikes a balance between organization and natural flow, with defined spaces that feel intentional without appearing overly formal. By working with the existing trees and incorporating natural materials, this design creates a comfortable, established feel that complements the property rather than competing with it.
Putting Green & Retaining Wall
KISSING CAMELS
This refined backyard retreat was designed to take full advantage of its premier setting, with a private putting green overlooking the neighboring golf course. The landscape combines recreation, luxury, and elevated design to create an outdoor space that feels like a natural extension of the home.
A series of stacked stone retaining wall tiers adds architectural structure while guiding the landscape through the property’s elevation changes. Each tier is softened with carefully selected plantings, including feather reed grasses, Russian sage, and vibrant flowering plants that introduce movement, texture, and seasonal color against the stonework.
With its manicured putting green, upscale materials, and carefully composed planting design, this landscape creates a sophisticated outdoor experience that complements the surrounding golf course views while providing a private space for relaxation and entertainment.
Front Water Feature & Landscape (Day)
FLYING HORSE NORTH
Front Water Feature & Landscape (Night)
FLYING HORSE NORTH
Showcased in both daylight and after dark, this landscape demonstrates how thoughtful design and lighting can transform an outdoor space throughout the day. The centerpiece of the property is a dramatic multi-tiered water feature with more than four levels of cascading water, natural stone walls, decorative rock, and carefully integrated plantings. Stone steps and steppers crossing the waterfall create a unique way to experience the feature up close, while connecting the different areas of the landscape.
Surrounded by mulch beds, colorful plantings, and natural materials, the water feature feels like an extension of the surrounding environment rather than a separate installation. A seating area near the home provides the perfect vantage point to enjoy the movement and sound of the water while taking in the surrounding views. Thoughtfully placed flowers add seasonal color and soften the stonework throughout the design.
The backyard offers a spacious lawn bordered by decorative rock, with larger river rock flowing through the landscape as a dry creek bed that adds texture and natural movement. Along the side yard, xeric plantings, mulch, decorative rock, and additional lawn areas create a balanced transition between the home’s outdoor spaces and the surrounding landscape.
After sunset, integrated lighting brings the property to life. Uplighting highlights mature trees and the home’s architecture, while targeted lighting throughout the waterfall tiers emphasizes the movement of the cascading water. The result is a landscape that provides beauty, function, and a completely different experience from day to night.
