While this simple landscape incorporated good materials and healthy plants, the low, monochromatic plantings didn’t add to the home’s presence or provide interesting views from indoors. In fact, they made the minimally adorned stucco exterior feel monolithic and bare.

As so often happens with smaller properties, the planting beds, trees and shrubs were scaled down with the intent of maximizing the outdoor space. The result, however, was an environment that lacked visual appeal and didn’t begin to meet its full potential.