(Paul Dyer, original photo on Houzz)
Backyard Goals: An Urban Oasis in Cow Hollow Is the Perfect Spot for a Slice and a Dip
28 August 2017
What started off as a blank slate of a backyard with nary an amenity or even a blade of grass has been transformed into a backyard oasis.
Jeff King & Company worked with architect David Kotzebue to section the 1,000-square-foot yard in San Francisco's Cow Hollow into functional, amenity-filled zones that now include an outdoor kitchen, a dining platform, a fire pit and a hot tub.
Backyard at a Glance
Who plays here: A couple with two school-age children
Size: 1,000 square (92.9 square meters)
Location: Cow Hollow, SF
General contractor:Jeff King & Co.
(Paul Dyer, original photo on Houzz)
The small, roughly trapezoidal lot made creating separate zones a challenge. To create a functional layout, Jeff King & Company used the homeowners' wish list as a guide. At the top of that list was an outdoor prep area with a large stainless steel grill and pizza oven.
▲(Paul Dyer, original photo on Houzz)
The ipe wood deck that supports the kitchen zone was completely reconfigured and extended to accommodate dining furniture (which usually sits in place of the Adirondack chair and table in the foreground). Bluestone pavers were laid to connect the main deck with the sitting area and the spa tub. Along the full length of the deck are stadium-style steps that double as extra seating.
▲(Paul Dyer, original photo on Houzz)
Originally, the bluestone pavers were to be more abundant, but the owners liked the idea of the grass' showing through, so the design team scaled back the paving and made way for a greener balance of stone and grass. The family's desire to create as much lush nature as possible in such a small space led the landscape architect to install a trellis for climbing plants along the fence.
▲(Paul Dyer, original photo on Houzz)
The clients wanted a hot tub for lounging in after dinner. Rather than installing a more complicated drop-in unit, Jeff King & Company sunk an above-ground spa into an ipe wood surround to match the decking and offer an advantageous perch point where people can dangle their feet into the water without fully submerging.
▲(Paul Dyer, original photo on Houzz)
The chairs and cushions around the fire pit were custom-made by Dehn Bloom Design to fit perfectly within the dimensions of the bluestone patio, keeping the space comfortable but uncluttered. The scope of work extended beyond the yard to the balconies that overlook it. Shown here is the family room balcony with its new glass railing. Before, it was a typical all-metal balcony, similar to a fire escape.
▲(Paul Dyer, original photo on Houzz)
The designer worked with architect David Kotzebue to reimagine two exterior balconies that boast stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge.
▲This article was written by Jess McBride, and originally appeared on Houzz.
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