Mill Valley, CA
The clients reached out to CKDS after purchasing a new home in the Tamalpais Valley area in Mill Valley, CA.
The home is similar to many in the area, and is built into the hillside, posing a challenging site to create outdoor living space for a growing family and their guests.
There are expansive views from the rear of the house, but the entrance and front deck area was unappealing and dated.
The clients have a modern, clean aesthetic and were looking for a Japanese / Scandinavian vibe in the new space. They requested “cozy vibes, minimalistic wood lines with some Japanese influences and some soft architectural lights to enhance the space. It would be a nice addition, a nice area to sit and relax, but also have a space that our friends with kids can safely let their kids around.”
Working closely with their contractor, we opened up the home’s lower entrance to connect the new outdoor living space, replacing old fencing and railings with a more contemporary style using Bamboo. The contractors removed a huge juniper and its extensive root system along with several truck fulls of compacted soil and old stone. Bamboo terracing and decking, along with custom metal retaining walls were designed to access the steep hillside to create an open outdoor living space with room for a fire feature and ample seating.
The beautiful existing mature Japanese Maple tree was kept as the main focal point in the planting design. A second specimen was added for balance. The planting style is clean and natural, using loosely growing plants with a variety of textures to soften the edges of the planting and decking areas. The plant textures and selection create the zen-like, cozy feel the clients were seeking.
