Sneak Peek: A Landscape Design in Progress

Front Yard Conceptual Design

There’s nothing better than seeing a project’s vision and design ideas finally start to come together!

I'm excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at a residential landscape project I’m working on right now. This is honestly my favorite stage!  When those rough paper sketches start turning into real design concepts.

Property Challenges
Like many Pacific Northwest properties, this site came with a noticeable slope in the backyard area.  That’s not unusual, but definitely something that requires thoughtful consideration.  Left unaddressed, sloped yards tend to create:

• Awkward, underused spaces
• Poor visual connection to the home
• And, let’s be honest, some mild backyard frustration

Before this design began, two things became clear.
    1)The backyard felt visually disconnected from the home and
    2) The front entry lacked presence and a true sense of arrival. 

The Design Approach

​Rather than fighting the site, the design uses the natural grade to its advantage. The solution focuses on using a series of outdoor “rooms” that improve flow, function, and overall connectivity.

​Below is a sneak peek of the conceptual design for the backyard area.  As you can see, the backyard came with some slope challenges.  The design approach is to use the natural grade to its advantage.  The solution uses a series of outdoor “rooms” that improve flow, function, and overall connectivity.  

Backyard Conceptual Design

Key Features Include:

• Connected terraces that integrate with the slope
• A welcoming arrival that creates an attractive first impression
• Layered planting for privacy and year-round color
• A dedicated hot tub patio that feels connected to the upper terraces
• Subtle landscape lighting to extend enjoyment into the evening

The goal is simple but powerful: create a sequence of connected outdoor spaces that feel intentional, comfortable, and cohesive.  Connectivity from the moment you arrive all the way to the backyard terraced areas.

With thoughtful terracing, the slope shifts from being a limitation to becoming one of the property’s greatest assets.  Each level now has a purpose.  Each space has a reason to exist.  But, most importantly, the home and landscape finally start connecting as an intregral design with one experience leading to the next. 

Material Selections
The selection of materials helps to shape the character and personality of the project.  A well-thought-out selection creates a space that feels intentional and inviting.
For this project, the clients gravitate toward a refined, timeless theme. Nothing trendy, nothing fussy, and nothing that will make them say, “What were we thinking?” five years from now.

Natural Stone Paving
Natural stone was selected for the primary patios and terrace surfaces, and for good reason.  It brings:

• A grounded, organic character that complements the home
• Excellent durability in the Northwest climate
• Subtle variation that keeps large, paved areas visually interesting
• A surface that ages gracefully, which is always a win

To maintain a calm, cohesive feel, the stone palette selected is soft, muted tones. The goal is quiet sophistication, not a patio that shouts for attention.

Landscape Plants
The planting strategy for this property is:  Structure first and then placing seasonal color throughout the design for the icing on the cake.

Rather than relying on high-maintenance flower beds, the design builds a strong evergreen framework to provide year-round structure and privacy.

From there, seasonal color and textural accents are thoughtfully layered in. The result creates interest and delight without making the landscape feel high-maintenance or chaotic.

It is the difference between a garden that looks good for one month and one that performs beautifully all year.

Landscape Lighting

One of the clients’ top priorities is being able to enjoy their new outdoor areas after sunset.
Instead of flooding the yard with bright overhead lighting, the design uses subtle, layered illumination.

• Soft pathway lighting improves safety and navigation
• Warm ambient lighting enhances the terrace and hot tub areas
• Gentle highlights add depth and evening atmosphere

The goal is a warm, inviting glow that extends usability without making the backyard feel like a runway. 

Backyard Lighting Concept

What’s Next?
There is still some design refinement ahead as this project continues to evolve, but the transformation is well underway.  I hope this sneak peek gives you a little design inspiration and perhaps a few ideas for your own space. 

Wishing you all the best with your next project, and I hope our paths cross again soon!

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About BauerCombs & Associates, Inc.  
BauerCombs is an award-winning landscape architecture firm specializing in large estates and sensory design 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 gain recognition for creating healthy outdoor environments for people and communities.
 
Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2026 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com

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