SAN JOSE

This home sits on two levels overlooking a park-like golf course studded with redwood, oak, and pine trees. In the long, narrow back yard the homeowners wanted to reclaim a section of their property that dropped down several feet to the golf course. A tall concrete retaining wall was built at the property edge and backfilled to create space for a custom spa and stone patio. The narrow deck off of the living room was replaced with a redwood deck that widens the space and mirrors the curve in the patio below.

Steps in the wide side yard were redesigned to make space for a row of fruit trees underplanted with white roses and irises.

In the front yard, two massive stone pines, whose roots had undermined the concrete driveway, were removed and the entrance redesigned. A stone walkway from the street to the front door cuts through the center island. Three mature non-fruiting olive trees, lavender, native manzanita, and  acacia ‘Cousin Itt’ flow over the new concrete retaining wall.

PROJECT TEAM
Design: Kathleen Shaeffer
Contractor: Laura Livingston
Earth Work: Don Sakamoto Concrete: Kathy Bernokeits Deck: Don Medina