The Goodman's Hechtman Project

This design featured the elegant Goodman's Hechtman property, located in Scottsdale, Arizona. During the process of front and back yard landscape remodeling, the design's essential components included entertainment and aesthetic areas with the more practical needs of water retention and pet exercise features.

Initial challenges
From the outset, one of our challenges was the HOA, as they were against artificial turf in the front yard.But, shade and fountain water features made natural turf a poor option. Beds of river rock separated the sweeping circular drive, punctuated by several groupings of well-established landscape plant material. A small bit of artificial turf fits in nicely.

In the back
The backyard needed plenty of open space for guests, games, and the needs of the dog. We created a plan featuring a blend of desert-themed low-water-use plant material, artificial turf, and exterior accent lighting. The existing outdoor kitchen, koi pond, and geometrically-shaped pool with a spa set the stage. Our designers tied in the home's stone facade with natural stone landscape elements. An eye-pleasing expanse of artificial turf punctuated by river rock offset by a vinca garden connected with the riverbed retention area. The flagstone pool surrounds made a perfect focal point, while flagstone pathways reached out to the lawn and a lovely tree gazebo. Yucca, ocotillo, and agave complemented an assortment of low-water-use trees and shrubs. An expanse of river rock abutting a stand of natural hewn boulders set the stage for the soothing sound of a stone waterfall and a pond full of colorful koi. A garden behind the koi pond offered more small plants and river rock topped off by lovely clay pots of annual flowers. Rather than being a stark expanse of pavers, the rear driveway featured several trellises to offer support to plants and enlivened the house's exterior walls. These trellises, repeated on other stretches of bare wall, were so gorgeous paired with a thin strip of river rock and alternating low and climbing plant material.

Lighting
Low-level pathway lights gently illuminated the flagstone path areas and clay flower pots, including tall, barrel-themed pots along pathways and a delightful tiny bridge crossing the river rock retention bed. A low wall near the back fence's edge gave way to a pathway for the dog, adjacent to a sound-muffling stand of oleanders. The path was home to a cluster of towering palm trees accented with upward lighting. Metal sculptures, both desert-themed and whimsical, finished the backyard landscape. We know this project will bring many years of joy and beauty to the homeowners and their guests.

Wait. What about that artificial lawn in the front?
We're glad you asked that! Despite their initial reluctance, the HOA did not pursue a ruling against the artificial turf in the front yard because, as one person said, it looks so natural.