When the Pitt family purchased a 1950s Northern California ranch house, the garden had an equally ’50s-like lawn surrounded by a dated white picket fence.
Photography by Mimi Giboin for Gardenista.
Although there was plenty of space at the rear of the space, they soon realized that they enjoyed hanging out in the west facing garden, where they especially enjoyed the afternoon light.
A homemade teepee in the garden with a pampas grass hedge of sorts as a backdrop.
For more of our favorite ways to use drop cloths, see DIY: Instant Painter’s Drop Cloth Pergola.
Greg Pitt put down the slab pathway, measuring out the stride. He created the steps to run 18 inches from center to center of each slab.
Pampas grasses line the gateway and produce beautiful wispy flowers.
Succulents and cactus add variation to the garden landscape.
The Pitts planted pampas grass around the fence, spaced to allow the grasses to fill out.
A secluded seating area under the shade of an olive tree. The Pitts put down a weed barrier in the garden, then covered it with California gold gravel.
A modernist bird house hangs from the olive tree.
A hog-wire fence allows passersby to enjoy the grasses from the street.
A succulent growing alongside the path.
The main gate flanked by pampas grass. Check out our post on Modern Gates and see Hardscaping 101: Hog Wire Fences.