Historic Bungalow, Downtown SLO

History Meets Contemporary

San Luis Obispo, CA

2021

When we got to the Historic Bungalow, the existing front and back yards needed a complete remodel. Conceptualizing the design, we wanted to honor the historical nature of the house built in 1910, and the property with its heritage features like the enormous Quercus palustris, while envisioning a more contemporary use of the space. 

The homeowners needed the garden to function for entertaining. To accommodate the client’s request, we incorporated sections of grass lawn to maximize the outdoor space’s versatility. Several beautiful existing historic structures were reimagined and incorporated into our final design, creating architectural interest, privacy walls, and the unconventional panelized fence. We preserved the massive trumpet vine framing the custom pergola and spotlighting this historic feature. 

The final design blends the history of the property with contemporary garden design, and blends functional entertaining spaces with native, organic reprieves.

  • Aerial view of a house with a landscaped garden featuring stone pathways, illuminated plants, and a patio seating area under a pergola.
  • Garden with stone path, pergola, and outdoor dining area surrounded by trees and plants.
  • Backyard garden with lush landscaping, patio area with red chairs, stone path, and exterior of a house with stairs.
  • An image of Greenspacing.
  • Illuminated backyard garden with a wooden lounge chair, stone walkway, trees, plants, and a small wooden structure with curtains.
  • An image of Greenspacing.
  • An image of Greenspacing.
  • Backyard with lush garden, stone pathway, green lawn, wooden chairs, pergola, and various plants.
  • Backyard with stone pathway, grassy lawn, wooden lounge chair, plants, and pergola with red chairs.
  • Backyard garden with stone path, grass lawn, outdoor seating area with red umbrella, plants, and a wooden barrel-shaped structure.
  • A landscaped backyard with a stone pathway leading to a seating area under a wooden pergola. There are chairs around tables, and the area is surrounded by lush greenery and plants.
  • Backyard with stone pathway leading to a pergola-covered patio area. The patio has red and gray chairs around a table, surrounded by greenery. A bench and barbecue grill are near the steps leading down from the patio.
  • Outdoor patio with a wooden pergola, stone pathway, red and gray chairs, and lush greenery surrounding the area.
  • Stone pathway in a landscaped backyard with seating area and trees.
  • Backyard with patio furniture, brick and stone paving, pergola, plants, and a grassy lawn.
  • Concrete pathway with colorful foliage and desert plants in a residential garden.
  • Backyard with stone path, mulched garden beds, green lawn, plants, trees, and outdoor seating area.
  • A backyard with a stone pathway, well-maintained lawn, and planted garden beds. A red umbrella shades a patio table and chairs in the back, and there are outdoor lights illuminating the path. A wooden structure is partially visible under a tree.
  • A beautifully landscaped backyard with a stone path winding through a garden. There are various plants and small trees along the path. A wooden Adirondack chair is positioned on a grassy area. A stone retaining wall borders the path, and outdoor lights enhance the evening setting.
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