Brick and English Garden with a Twist in Arroyo Grande

This was a special project for a returning customer who we originally designed and installed years ago at her childhood home in Pismo Beach, Ca. She recently reached back out to us for a landscape design of her home in Arroyo Grande, Ca, and we couldn’t have been more excited to work with her again.

We went through a full landscape design process with several revisions to truly dial in the client’s vision, working with her virtually almost daily and coordinating closely with subcontractors as changes were made throughout the project. The front yard was previously about 80% dirt, and the main goals were to create a functional turnaround and a grand, welcoming entryway. Since the home already featured lower brick trim, we continued that theme throughout the front yard to keep everything cohesive and timeless.

All walkways and the driveway were constructed using full brick (not overlays). We worked closely with the client to select patterns that fit the space, installing a running bond pattern throughout the driveway and lateral walkways, with the entryway designed to stand out as a focal point. The retaining walls were built with concrete footings, rebar, and fully concrete-filled block walls for long-term structural integrity. These were finished with a veneer brick and capped with true brick for durability and a clean, finished look.

The planting design blends English-style landscaping with succulents and pops of color for contrast and texture. Because the property has had ongoing gopher issues, every plant and tree was installed with gopher baskets. All irrigation is drip line, paired with a fertilizer system that continuously feeds the plants and allows us to introduce gopher deterrent through the system as needed. Planter beds were fully secured with weed barrier, additional gopher wire, and finished with 3 inches of small decorative bark for a polished, low-maintenance finish.

Because the homeowners are in the process of retirement, safety and long-term usability were a major priority. With multiple elevation changes throughout the yard, we incorporated pathway lighting and step lighting to clearly define walkways, drive areas, and steps—especially important since the property sits just outside of town with no street lighting. We also coordinated with a fabricator to install custom powder-coated handrails, helping prepare the space for comfortable and safe movement around the yard now and well into the future.

We truly enjoyed collaborating so closely with the client on this one-of-a-kind project and bringing her vision to life from start to finish.

Location: Arroyo Grande, CA