The Bluffs

portland, Oregon

  • Landscape Master Planning

  • Extensive Planting Plans

  • Custom Ipe Deck Installation

  • Sand-finish Concrete Retaining Walls

  • Architectural Paver Patios

  • Landscape Lighting Installation

  • Timber-framed Pergola

  • Steel-edge Gravel Pathways

This landscape renovation in Portland’s Overlook neighborhood came on the heels of a massive indoor modernization of this craftsman home by local collaborator, Bright Design Lab. Pistils’ intent was to maintain and synthesize the design language of the classic architecture with some distinctly modern accents.

The front yard was completely transformed by the addition of modern sand-finish concrete retaining walls, stairs and walkways to manage a steep and abrupt grade from the upper yard down to the pedestrian sidewalk. The hardscape edges were softened by a prolific array of plants ranging from chartreuse to deep green that complements the bold new color of the house.

Plants include Smokebush 'Golden Spirit,' Farfugium giganteum, Carex 'Bowels golden' and Ostrich fern.

Pistils continued the design thread of the sand-finish concrete walls and stairs with a re-imagined backyard entry, flanked by a modern cedar fence. An expansive grid of large-format, architectural pavers leads through the roomy backyard lawn from an open air Ipe deck with modern outdoor furniture to a custom timber pergola with integrated landscape lighting, and a concrete paver dining patio.

Modern concrete pavers lead to a cozy backyard patio with a custom cedar pergola.
Backyard entry with custom cedar stairs and stainless wire railing, flanked by a lush planting.
Front yard landscape in North Portland with sand finished concrete retaining walls and lush plantings.
Modern custom cedar fence and cedar gate with concrete pavers and moody landscape lighting.
Modern concrete patio, with custom cedar pergola and dining patio.
Modern concrete walkway, custom cedar pergola and custom cedar fence in a classic Pacific Northwest garden.
Custom, sand finish concrete stairs and concrete retaining walls create a handsome terraced landscape in North Portland.
Elegant concrete retaining walls and concrete stairs with a modern cedar fence create a terraced landscape with ornamental grasses and colorful perennials.
Sand-finished concrete retaining walls manage a hillside landscape with a variety of garden beds, featuring colorful perennials and grasses in this Portland garden.
Verbena and Hebe provide an attractive foreground planting to the custom cedar pergola and concrete paver dining patio in the background.
Architectural concrete pavers, flank a custom ipe deck and stairs with stainless steel wire railing.
This classic pacific Northwest front yard garden features modern concrete retaining walls, landscape lighting and an innovative planting palette.
A modern cedar pergola with a large concrete paver patio amidst a lush garden planting.
Custom cedar pergola detail with a modern cedar fence in the background.
Architectural concrete paver patio, lush lawn space, custom cedar pergola and modern cedar fence.
Modern ipe wood deck with contemporary outdoor furniture, bordered by a naturalistic planting of grasses, shrubs, perennials and trees.
A modern cedar pergola and concrete paver dining patio, with abundant evergreen plantings in the foreground.
Modern concrete pathways and contemporary landscape lighting highlight this North Portland garden.
A custom, modern cedar fence with integrated landscape lighting.
Ornamental grasses and landscape lighting make for a great night garden in the pacific Northwest.
Terraced concrete walls define the hardscape for this North Portland garden.
Modern outdoor furniture is the perfect fit for this concrete paver patio under a contemporary cedar pergola.
Lush plantings soften and enhance the modern, sand-finish concrete retaining walls in this Pacific Northwest front yard landscape.
Ferns and Farfugium are the perfect planting complement to these modern, sand finish concrete walls.
Previous

Alameda Neighborhood
Next

Forest Park