A Hillside Landscape Refreshed

This newly renovated landscape, designed by BauerCombs & Associates, combines both beauty and function to refresh a steep residential hillside on Mercer Island, WA.

When the homeowner purchased their Mercer Island home, their goal was to improve the overall landscape appeal and to enjoy a beautiful backyard space. The house was built to take full advantage of the Lake Washington view but had limited outdoor use because of the steep slope. 

​Terraced retaining walls were designed to maximize useable outdoor spaces and create artistry within the steep slope. The side yard pathway was designed for cohesiveness from the front yard to the backyard. The path leads you through a shade garden of rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and winter-blooming hellebores. 

Project Designed by:  BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. - Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect
Project Installed by:    May Creek Landscaping - Landscape Contractor

Before Photos

BauerCombs selected Pacific Northwest native plants and ornamentals to complement the architectural style of the home and surrounding environment. Seasonal plant colors and sensory design elements were placed throughout the landscape to connect with nature year-round. Large specimen trees were strategically placed to create a soft balance between landscape and architecture. In addition, dramatic outdoor lighting is placed throughout the landscape for evening enjoyment.

Landscape Features 

• Renovated entertainment patio with Pennsylvania bluestone and Ipe wood privacy screen
• Entry area with polished pebble accents and unveiling of existing water feature 
• Terraced rock retaining walls with oversized dry stack stone
• Large specimen Japanese maple trees 
• Showcase boulders and sitting rock 
• Decomposed granite connector trail and rock slab steps
• Landscape planting areas with seasonal color, textures, and sensory enjoyment
• Privacy screening with plant material while maximizing Lake Washington views. 
• Dramatic outdoor lighting for evening enjoyment.  
• Metal garden art collection.  We love the family of goats!  The goats were master-minded and purchased by the homeowner as a fond reminder of California's four-legged maintenance crew along highway 101 in the Bay Area. 

About BauerCombs & Associates, Inc.  
BauerCombs is an award-winning landscape architecture firm specializing in sensory design and site planning for the greater Puget Sound, Bellevue, and Eastside areas. Our signature sensory design methods create captivating landscapes that bring life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of color and patterns, scent, touch, taste, and sound. Our work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor environments for people and communities. 

Please browse our website and contact us at BauerCombs & Associates, Inc., to discuss your next project.  We look forward to hearing from you!  https://www.bauercombs.com/contact.html

Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2021 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc.  www.bauercombs.com