Hollywood Bungalow

Pistils was called upon to effect a massive landscape renovation for the spacious backyard of this elegant home in the Hollywood neighborhood of Northeast Portland. It had been left untended for many years by previous owners and was in need of a complete overhaul, as it was thoroughly overgrown with a jungle of invasive plants and an old, enormous concrete slab — the foundation of a garage that was never constructed.

The plan called for conserving resources and expense by modifying the monster slab in the backyard and building over it. Pistils re-imagined the space by constructing a new concrete paver patio area for entertaining, dining and relaxing that featured re-claimed timber slab benches, a weathered steel pergola and trellis, as well as a wood burning fire pit.

Architectural concrete pavers were used in a staggered pattern to create an inviting walkway to this new outdoor living space. Weathered steel planting beds with colorful Mediterranean garden plantings were built into the perimeter of this large outdoor room. The entire backyard was framed with a new cedar fence to complete the clean lines of the extensive hardscaping upgrade.

The plant palette is lush and dynamic, featuring year-round interest from a Lavender, Coreopsis, Crepe Myrtle, bamboo, evergreen jasmine and Pennisetum 'Karley Rose'.