Stone & Soil: A Large Scale Landscape Transformation in Sonoma

Location Sonoma, CA

Scope Full redesign

Set on a large rural property in Sonoma, this project was all about finding the right balance—creating spaces that feel designed and intentional while preserving the natural beauty and openness of the land.

The entry experience was carefully considered, with rows of olive trees flanking the long driveway to create a sense of rhythm and arrival. This simple gesture sets the tone for the rest of the landscape—structured, welcoming, and connected to its surroundings.

Between the main home and guest house, we added a hand-built stone wall with a gate to create a sense of quiet separation. It allows for privacy without cutting off visual connection, giving both spaces their own identity while keeping them part of a larger whole.

At the main house, a new raised concrete patio offers a place to gather, relax, and take in the expansive views of the wine country. Oversized treads provide integrated seating and invite people to linger. Built-in planters soften the structure and add warmth and life to the space.

Beyond the patio, we created a series of seating areas nestled among inviting plantings—designed to feel comfortable and natural. Closer to the home, the planting is more structured, with defined forms and intentional groupings. As the landscape extends outward, the design gradually loosens. Plantings become more naturalized, eventually blending seamlessly into the surrounding open land.

This project is an example of how thoughtful landscape design can bring structure and comfort to large spaces without losing a sense of place or the connection to nature.

Sonoma Guest House ApproachA decomposed granite path winds through the entire property, connecting key areas and guiding movement with a relaxed, natural rhythm. Here, it leads to the guest house, where soft plantings and rustic materials create a welcoming pause. A low stone wall provides a quiet division between the guest house and the main home—offering a sense of separation while keeping views and access open. The surrounding plants were selected for their evolving beauty—designed to grow fuller, bloom seasonally, and become more visually prominent over time. The path, plantings, and stonework come together to shape a landscape that feels both thoughtful and grounded.

Paths and Planting in SonomaThis view captures the crisscrossing decomposed granite paths that connect key spaces across the property, including a shed used as a garden studio nestled among planting areas. The layout was designed to feel open yet intentional, with each path revealing new views of the surrounding Sonoma hills. Plantings define and soften the space, offering texture and seasonal interest against the broader rural backdrop.

Looking AheadThis view looks toward the front of the property, where the warm texture of the adobe brick house and a glimpse of the guest house set the tone. Crushed granite pathways wind through generous planting areas that will fill in with color, texture, and seasonal interest over time. It’s one of many views across the property where structure, material, and planting come together to create a landscape that invites you to keep exploring.

Guest House ArrivalA gently curving pathway meanders between the guest house and the main house, with one branch leading toward a new patio just outside the guest house door facing the backyard. Several weathered metal chairs are thoughtfully arranged, creating a rustic and inviting spot to sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Young plantings border the area now, designed to grow lush and vibrant with time, enhancing the warm, relaxed ambiance of this charming corner of the property.

Stone Wall with a View in SonomaThis image features the newly built stone wall that separates the main house from the guest house, creating a sense of privacy while still allowing visual and physical connection between the spaces. Crafted from a mix of natural stone, the wall adds richness, texture, and a timeless feel to the landscape. In the foreground, the custom concrete patio with wide treads invites you to sit and enjoy the sweeping views of the Sonoma wine country. This space was thoughtfully designed to blend rustic charm with functionality and a strong sense of place. The plantings and other pathways will be placed soon.

Connecting Spaces with Nature, Stone and StructureThis image highlights the connection between the adobe farmhouse and the rustic guest house on a spacious Sonoma property. A newly built stone wall adds character and defines the space while preserving openness and flow between structures. The large concrete deck extends from the back of the farmhouse, offering plenty of room to relax or entertain. One of the built-in planting areas is visible here—designed to soften the hardscape, bring nature into the space, and offer environmental benefits like improved drainage, cooler surface temperatures, and pollinator support. The oversized treads leading down from the deck double as casual seating—perfect for pausing to enjoy the expansive views of the surrounding landscape.

Before: Untamed Meadow and Vineyard SettingThese images reveal the site before transformation—wild, overgrown meadow grasses stretch across the land, interspersed with rustic wine supports that hint at the property's vineyard roots. Above it all, a stunning sky stretches wide, showcasing the natural beauty and peaceful ambiance of this exceptional Sonoma setting.

Before: Untouched Meadow LandscapeA view of the same area, showcasing the tall, overgrown meadow grasses and the rustic wine supports, set beneath the expansive Sonoma sky. The natural, unrefined beauty of the site before the design work is clearly visible here.

Before: Site ChallengesThis photo shows a cluttered area with a junk pile around an old, weathered building on the property—highlighting some of the challenges that the design aims to address while preserving the site's character.

Installation: Stone Wall Bordering Guest HouseSet on a spacious Sonoma property, this handcrafted stone wall gently defines the space between the main house and guest house. Built with natural materials that reflect the character of the land, the wall offers a sense of separation while remaining low enough to maintain open views and a welcoming atmosphere. An open passageway serves as both a visual and functional connection—allowing easy flow between the two homes and offering access to the decomposed granite (DG) pathways that meander throughout the property, inviting leisurely walks and a deeper connection with the surrounding landscape.

Installation: Concrete Deck Prep and Site WorkThe backyard between the guest house and main house is being prepared for the raised concrete patio, visible just beyond the work zone. The recently built stone wall stands as an elegant divider between the two structures. Meanwhile, additional site work is underway around both buildings, marking significant progress in the overall transformation of the property.

Installation: New Stone Wall and Prepping of Other Elements

Installation: Stone Wall Framing the Edge of the Landscape DesignThis image shows the new stone wall beginning to define the edge of the landscape near the guest house, just a small corner of which appears in the frame. Built with natural stone, the wall adds texture and structure to the space. In the foreground, the soil has been graded and prepared for new plantings that will soon soften the area and tie the design together. The scene marks a moment of transition, where the vision for a layered, inviting landscape is just beginning to take shape.

Installation: Patio PreperationThe area outside the guest house is being carefully prepared for the installation of new pavers. This important groundwork ensures a solid, lasting foundation for the patio, setting the tone for a beautiful and functional outdoor space.

Raised Concrete Patio in Progress with Oversized Tread SeatingThis in-progress shot captures the early formation of a raised concrete patio on a spacious property. Designed with both function and comfort in mind, the wide, deep treads are intentionally sized to double as casual seating, perfect for relaxing, gathering, or simply enjoying the surrounding landscape. The formwork hints at the clean lines and thoughtful detailing that will define the finished space, blending modern structure with laid-back usability.

Patio Pour Prep with Stone Wall and Guest House BeyondThis close-up shows the rebar set and ground prepared for the raised concrete patio, with a hose positioned nearby as the pour continues just out of view. In the background, the new stone wall adds definition to the space, while the small guest house and main house, both currently under construction, sit quietly beyond, blending into the surroundings.

Finished Stone Wall Frames Nearly Complete Raised PatioThe nearly finished raised patio with its large, comfortable treads dominates the center, while the new stone wall runs along the right side. The patio has several large planting areas which will contain beautiful plant material to shade and to provide life to the large expanse of concrete. In the background, both the main house and guest house are visible, grounding the scene. The foreground is an open expanse of dirt, ready to be transformed with new plantings.

Landscape Concept Plan: Framework and Key FeaturesThis comprehensive conceptual plan illustrates the full vision for the Sonoma property, integrating all key design elements across the expansive site. It highlights the relationship between the main house and the guest house areas, showcasing thoughtful placement of hardscape features, planting zones, patios, and pathways. The plan balances functional outdoor living spaces with natural beauty, creating a cohesive flow that connects architecture to landscape. Every element is carefully designed to enhance enjoyment, privacy, and environmental harmony throughout the property.

Planting Plan: Guest House Garden