Before & After: Melinda & Mark Update Their Outdoor Space
When Mark and Melinda bought their home in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles in 1999, the backyard was littered with uneven, rocky terrain. The expansive backyard provided a multi-level outdoor area that boasted a killer view of the city, but, naturally, some safety concerns arose as their family began to grow. A few landscaping tricks and fixes added just enough structure to create the perfect backyard jungle, perfect for playing or hosting friends on a warm Summer evening.
With an impressive 12,000 square foot lot on a fairly steep incline, the Fays had their work cut out for them. Layers of unstable rock and brick proved unsafe for backyard activities and with the addition of their sons Boon and Haskell, renovations soon became essential. Our before picture is taken from just outside the master bedroom in 1999 when the Fays first bought their home. Soon after, a cement retaining wall replaced the rickety outdoor patio and synthetic grass provided the perfect flooring for a mini baseball diamond.
Unfortunately we don’t have before shots for the entire backyard, but we’ve captured some of Melinda’s landscaping tips for maintaining a safe outdoor area without obstructing a beautiful, cascading landscape. Using furniture, sculptures, and large potted plants to line the decks of multiple levels is great solution for blocking drop-offs and directing traffic to safer paths down the hillside.
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Thank you, Melinda!