The small side yard was heavily used to get to the alley but was not enticing in the least. First, we removed the tree that had been strangely planted in this tiny space. Next, we used the existing flagstone pieces (we had to add a few more) to make a sturdy path for foot traffic. We then filled the edges with rocks and shady plants to give it a natural Rocky Mountain look.

The backyard was an awkward, narrow space, but a busy transit area for the family. On the garage side, to add color, we used the existing planter areas to build two custom trellises for honeysuckle vines. By staining the posts and the fence a dark, rich brown, we added a fresh, contemporary vibe. Finally, we knocked down the short wall and extended the patio slightly for the new sectional sofa set. To make this area usable during hot summer afternoons, we installed a large sail shade above the couch (not shown).

The front yard had two small grassy areas that were awkward and annoying to mow. We got rid of it all and planted xeriscape plants throughout. We also built a stone planter along the entire length of the front porch to cover up the unsightly lattice work and planted boxwoods to add a little bit of privacy.

In many Stapleton areas, the alleys act as the gathering place for the neighbors. The existing situation was not appealing. We rebuilt the garden box so that it was level and added drip irrigation. We continued the flagstone path from inside the gate to the garage, removed the scraggly bush and replaced it with an ornamental fruit tree. Fruit trees are great for small spaces and have a brilliant show of color in the spring.