Menlo Park
Keyhole in a Keyhole

This captivating landscape project in Menlo Park is a perfect blend of sustainability, creativity, and family bonding.

Over the years, we've designed many landscapes that initially comply with low water requirements from the city, only to witness homeowners replacing them with higher water plants after inspections. However, this project was refreshingly different. Collaborating closely with a family that values individuality and is eager to move away from excessive turfing, we embarked on an exciting journey together.

Imagine a sprawling 1-acre property, transformed section by section, into a series of breathtaking spaces. We took our time, focusing on one area at a time until the final, most important piece came together - an intentional garden and teaching space for a lovely couple and their four young children.

The "Keyhole in a Keyhole Garden" gets its name from its unique design approach, which embraces permaculture principles like guilds, keyhole designs, curve and edge communities, dynamic accumulation, and stacking functions. We carefully selected California Native, low-water Mediterranean Climate, and delightful edible and cut flower plants to bring this to life.

Now, let's explore the heart of this captivating garden: Picture a raised vegetable bed shaped like a keyhole, situated within a larger keyhole, surrounded by drought-tolerant fruit trees and pollinator-friendly plants. As a personal touch, we included a small recirculating water feature with pebbles, fulfilling one of the kids' requests. It's the little things that make this garden a special place for the entire family!

The magic continues with a durable modern moon gate and tee pee trellis that provide the perfect support for climbing vines, creating enchanting spaces for exploration and enjoyment.

We’re committed to having a low impact on our surroundings. To minimize costs and ecological impact, we utilized existing boulders and landscape materials throughout the project.

The "Keyhole in a Keyhole Garden" is a refreshing example of what can be achieved when creativity meets ecological responsibility. It's a haven of beauty and inspiration where families can bond, children can learn about nature's wonders, and everyone can embrace sustainable living.