The homeowners called us after they'd added a contemporary front entry and an addition to the back of their traditional home. They wanted to be able to use their hilly backyard for entertaining, and they had two heritage trees on site. We were careful to direct rainwater running downhill away from the house to the alley. The homeowners wanted to use boulders and gravel in the rear, eliminating lawn. We reduced the number of plant beds in the front, creating a cleaner, more contemporary look and reducing maintenance. We designed three sitting areas: a small 'transitional' deck from the new back doors, a dining terrace, and a fire pit patio. We designed a fence to provide privacy from the alley, but did not erect it between the neighbors, at mutual request.