A Garden and Pool Sanctuary Among the Vines in Arroyo Grande

This project in Arroyo Grande was completed for a wonderful real estate couple who came to us through a referral. With more than 30 years in the real estate industry, they were extremely knowledgeable about landscape renovation and came into the design process with a clear vision. We worked closely with them to bring each of their ideas to life.

After seeing several of our gravel driveways, they decided to keep their countryside home aligned with a more natural aesthetic. We installed a driveway using 3/4-inch gravel over five inches of compacted base material. The property also had significant drainage concerns, as the driveway sloped toward the home, so we designed and installed an extensive drainage system—one of the most critical parts of a long-lasting landscape installation.

Although we did not install the pool, we provided a referral to a specialist for the coping work. Concrete pathways, similar to this project, are becoming increasingly popular. For the majority of the pathways, we used Noiyo cobblestone, one of the higher-end decorative cobbles. To give the installation a unique, custom touch, we hand-selected and added individual specialty stones, peppering them into the joints. These decorative stones are much more expensive per bag, so we incorporated them strategically to stay within the client’s budget while still elevating the design.

The three olive trees located in the center of the driveway were transplanted from a farm in Paso Robles. We provided the clients with approximately thirty tree options, and the three that were installed were carefully selected from that group.

The fencing layout also required thoughtful coordination. The front yard fence was built horizontally and later painted a gray tone to complement the home. The fence along the neighboring property line was installed vertically to match the neighbor’s existing fencing as a courtesy, allowing everything to blend seamlessly.

The clients wanted a unique and attractive garden bed, so we constructed it using all redwood timbers. They wanted something more distinctive than a standard garden, so we worked with them to design an enclosed see-through fence with an arbor backdrop. This doubled as a trellis suitable for an espalier fruit tree or climbing vegetables.

Being wine enthusiasts, they also wanted a small vineyard element incorporated into the property. We planted two rows of vineyard grapes along the front yard driveway, selecting a variety that could be used for either winemaking or table grapes.

Since they have multiple grandchildren, we created several lawn areas throughout the property to provide plenty of open space for play and family gatherings.

Service provided: Landscape Design

Location: Arroyo Grande, CA