apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

This is fantastic! What a transformation. Clearly the dog and cat love it!! I especially like the way that it has a worn-in feel to it (helped by the Old Worldy pavers), making it comfortable and fresh at the same time.

I'm wondering if any readers have sources for more before and after pics like this for *small* patios and gardens (or even just "after" pics). I have a blank space in my city "backyard" and am trying to find samples and inspiration for what to do with it. What books, or even better, websites, might have a ton of pics I can study? Thanks!

clancy-

I think you can get inspiration from any large garden and then scale it way back. I knew I wanted to put down pavers of some sort since the bark was horrible, lawn would be impractical and I didn't want to deck it or cement it.

I also knew I wanted it to look organic, as opposed to geometric. I found an article in Sunset magazine (a great garden resource) on paving garden paths that had some ideas. (Although, in the end, I got the installation know-how from a phone call to a family member who is a landscape designer.) Because the space is small, I looked for taller planters and choosing to focus on purple and red more architectural plants.

For small spaces I would say:

-Stick to a smaller color and texture palette.
-Go vertical.
-Pick one style and stick to it: ie architectural modern (glasses), lacy traditional (pretty delicate flowers), herb gardens, etc
-Talk to a good source at a decent garden store (I started at Flora Grubb in SF and have frequented East Bay Nursery in Berkeley) to discuss what sort of plants work with your climate/space. Its awful to spend a lot of time/money and have plants die.

What a super little space, love the pooch and kitty. You must have some of the family DNA garden variety in you, it looks great. Well done.