Shadow and Structure: A Warm Modern Outdoor Living Space

Location Sacramento, CA

Scope Backyard retreat

This inviting outdoor retreat was designed to reflect the clients' desire for a space that feels both modern and tropical. At its center is a raised concrete patio with wide, sculptural treads that double as casual seating and gathering spots. A striking architectural pergola, custom-designed by our firm, anchors the space, with a cutout trellis top that casts dynamic, shifting shadows throughout the day.

Light and shadow are used intentionally as part of the landscape's art and architecture, adding movement, depth, and visual interest. The same trellis detail is repeated behind the outdoor kitchen, creating continuity while acting as a stylish screen from neighboring views.

Planting areas contribute to the tropical atmosphere and soften the clean lines of the hardscape. Integrated lighting brings the space to life after dark, extending its use and highlighting key features. Just beyond, the patio connects seamlessly to a newly built teen hangout room at the back of the detached garage—transforming the area into a versatile hub for relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying the interplay of design and nature.

Modern Backyard Living with Custom Pergola, Outdoor Kitchen, and LightingA modern backyard retreat that extends the home's living space outdoors and supports comfortable use during the day and into the evening. A raised patio organizes the space and creates defined seating and dining areas overlooking the rest of the garden, with an outdoor kitchen integrated for everyday meals and entertaining. Oversized patio steps double as relaxed places to sit, adding flexibility for gathering and casual use. Planting areas are embedded directly into the raised patio, softening the hardscape and connecting the seating areas to the surrounding landscape. Integrated outdoor lighting creates a calm, usable, and beautiful environment at night while maintaining a soft, natural feel during the day. A custom pergola is topped with a cut-out trellis selected to complement the clients' overall design scheme, filtering sunlight and casting shifting light and shadow patterns that become a visible part of the architecture of the landscape. Clean lines, warm materials, and simple planting give the space a cohesive, modern character.

Inviting Backyard with Raised Patio, Pergola, and Outdoor KitchenThis showcases a complete backyard transformation designed for modern living. The raised concrete patio includes zones for dining, lounging, and entertaining—anchored by a custom architectural pergola. The landscape connects to a new teen hangout room added to the detached garage, creating seamless flow between indoors and out. Tropical-style plantings and layered materials soften the clean lines, making the space feel vibrant and private.

Custom Pergola with Artistic Cut-Out Trellis and Inviting Outdoor SpacesThis view highlights the custom pergola featuring a cut-out trellis top that casts beautiful, shifting light patterns on the ground—making light itself a dynamic part of the architecture. Beneath, the dining area invites al fresco meals, while a cozy seating nook to the left offers a relaxing retreat. The landscaped yard flows seamlessly around the garage addition and extends to the back fence, creating a cohesive indoor-outdoor living experience.

Cut-Out Trellises Top the Pergola & Give Privacy at Outdoor KitchenThis photo showcases the cut-out matching trellises topping the custom pergola, which cast patterned light reflections onto the ground below, adding a dynamic architectural element. The same intricate trellis design is used as a privacy screen behind the outdoor kitchen, thoughtfully shielding the patio area from neighboring views while maintaining a cohesive and stylish look.

Under the Custom-Designed Pergola: Tropical Cut-Out Trellis and Ambient LightingThis close-up shot from beneath the custom-designed pergola highlights the intricate tropical-patterned cut-out trellises on top, casting delicate shadows that enhance the architectural character of the space. Soft downlights tucked into the corners provide subtle evening illumination, while the crisp white pergola structure contrasts beautifully with the lush trees in the background, reinforcing the modern tropical atmosphere.

View from Under the Pergola: Dining, Seating, and Teen Hangout ConnectionShot from beneath the pergola next to the dining table, this perspective reveals the inviting seating area just steps away, the custom addition to the back of the garage housing the teen hangout room, and the neatly maintained backyard beyond. The clean-lined plantings and open grass lawn replace the previous overgrown vegetation, creating a fresh, modern outdoor space designed for connection and relaxation.

Evening Ambiance: Illuminated Pergola, Outdoor Kitchen, and Seating AreaThis nighttime view captures the warm glow of down lights beneath the custom pergola, softly illuminating the dining and seating areas. The outdoor kitchen, partially visible, is framed by the privacy screen behind it, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere for evening gatherings. The subtle lighting enhances the modern tropical design, making the backyard a serene retreat after dark.

Modern Outdoor Kitchen with Custom Privacy ScreensThis photo shows a sleek white outdoor kitchen with a modern concrete countertop, BBQ, ample storage, and generous prep space designed for easy entertaining. A horizontal board fence with alternating sizes screens the AC unit and adds architectural interest. A privacy screen borders the raised patio, blocking views and enhancing the clean, contemporary look. White finishes on the pergola and kitchen unify the design with a fresh, modern feel.

Intimate Nighttime Dining Under the PergolaThis close-up captures the dining area beneath the custom white pergola softly illuminated at night. An uplight highlights the nearby tree, casting gentle shadows that enhance the modern tropical ambiance and create a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for evening gatherings.

Serene Nighttime Backyard with Pergola and Uplighted TreesThis nighttime shot captures the full backyard illuminated with thoughtfully placed lighting. The soft glow from downlights under the custom white pergola blends with uplights that highlight the modern trees at the yard's edge. The garage addition housing the teen hangout room is visible, alongside the inviting seating area and a glimpse of the sleek outdoor kitchen, creating a warm and tranquil ambiance throughout the space.

Warm Evening Glow Facing the House: Pergola, Dining, and Outdoor KitchenThis nighttime perspective looks toward the house, showcasing the softly lit dining area beneath the custom white pergola. The modern outdoor kitchen with its sleek concrete countertop is visible, framed by the custom-designed horizontal screening fence. The privacy screen behind the kitchen adds an elegant layer of seclusion, completing this inviting and sophisticated backyard setting.

Inviting Raised Patio with Custom Pergola and GateThis closer view highlights the raised patio's distinctive tread design and clean planting beds, all beneath the softly lit custom white pergola. The comfortable seating area creates a welcoming spot to unwind, while the screened outdoor kitchen adds functionality and style. The open custom wooden gate, crafted with horizontal boards of varying widths, provides easy access to the backyard and complements the modern aesthetic.

Daytime View of Pergola, Dining Area, and Outdoor Kitchen Privacy ScreenThis bright daytime shot showcases the custom white pergola sheltering the dining space, with the modern privacy screen behind the outdoor kitchen visible in the background. The edges of the raised concrete patio feature distinctive treads, adding architectural interest and defining the space's clean, contemporary lines.

Crafted Wood Gate Featuring Horizontal Wood DesignThis custom-designed wood gate features horizontal boards in varying widths, creating a modern, handcrafted look. The slight openings between boards offer a subtle peek into the backyard while still providing a strong sense of privacy. Its design echoes the contemporary feel of the overall landscape and offers a welcoming, stylish entry to the outdoor space.

Before: Small, Unusable Patio with Aging Wood Steps and BBQ without a placeThe original back patio featured aging wood steps and a small wood platform that was neither safe nor functional. Its limited size made it unusable for gatherings or outdoor living, and a small detached barbecue sat awkwardly off to the side. Mushrooms growing through the patchy grass hinted at drainage issues and a lack of overall cohesion in the space.

Before: Overgrown Plantings with No CohesionThe back of the yard was dominated by overgrown citrus trees and a sprawling lawn, with other plantings that had grown unruly over time. The space lacked structure and felt underutilized, with vegetation overwhelming the layout and making the yard feel smaller and less inviting.

Before: Disconnected Backyard with Overgrowth and Undefined LayoutThis wider view of the backyard captures the side and rear portions of the space, revealing overgrown plantings and a lack of clear structure. The yard felt disjointed and underutilized, with no defined areas for gathering, relaxing, or connecting to the surrounding architecture.

Before: Overgrown Vegetation and Cramped Deteriorating DeckThis photo captures a large tropical plant and other well-maintained, but oversized plantings that lacked cohesion and overwhelmed the space. A portion of the small wood deck is also visible—too compact to be functional and contributing to the backyard's overall lack of usability and flow.

Before: Oversized Vegetation and Cramped Wood DeckThis view highlights the small wood deck and steps leading from the house, which were too compact to comfortably accommodate outdoor use. Surrounding plantings had grown too large for the space, further crowding the area and emphasizing the need for a more functional and thoughtfully scaled design.