Our Blog

I just saw the Wizard of Oz in the Las Vegas sphere.

It was amazing, but I want to look at the story through the lens of residential design. Everyone should know the iconic line “There’s no place like home!”, especially in the home building industry. It is what drives our design and innovation.

But I want to remind you of a specific scene. The moment Dorothy opened the door of her black and white house and stepped into the full color Oz with flowers, singing birds and music!

What if we could recreate that mind blowing transition in our home design? Imagine you just had a stressful day followed by a white-knuckled drive through traffic in the rain. Not as traumatic as a house flying through a tornado, but enough to raise your blood pressure. You pull into your alley-loaded garage and as you exit your car, you enter your own sanctuary far removed from the day’s troubles.

As you cross the threshold from your garage, you step into a beautifully designed and landscaped backyard – complete with vivid green grass, colorful flowers, the smell jasmine or rosemary, the soothing sound of water – and maybe even some smooth jazz tunes wafting from the outdoor speakers.

And if your spouse got home first – maybe there is even the amazing smell of dinner being prepared on the outdoor grill.

It is a small but private space, surrounded by lush hedges or a fence which is home to colorful and fragrant vines. Beneath your feet is a delightful path of steppingstones surrounded by a lush ground cover. From there, you enter your covered patio where a comfortable chair awaits and the smiling faces of your family – even the family dog. In the summer, your skin is cooled by the gentle breeze of ceiling fan. In the winter, you’re warmed by a flickering fire.

I have just detailed what a Welcome Home Backyard could live like. Have I just described a fairy tale or reality? Maybe a bit of both.

An Overlooked Opportunity in Alley-Loaded Homes

This is what is possible in the often-ignored leftover space between the alley loaded garage and house. These spaces tend to be small, but their potential impact cannot be ignored. Often, the focus on design and dollars is in the front yard, streetscape, and the need to impress our neighbors. This is especially true in an alley-loaded community where charming front porches rule the day.

Front porches are wonderful – but they also live differently and serve a different need. They are in the public realm while rear outdoor living is more private. Front porches have become our new living rooms – a wonderful place to connect with neighbors as they stroll by, a meet-and-greet space that allows an opportunity to converse with strangers without intrusion into the home. Front porches are meant to be neat and tidy – often adorned with welcome signs and potted plants.

What you don’t want to see on the front porch is what you wouldn’t want to see in your formal living room. This could include the outdoor grill, kids’ toys, or a big screen TV. You also don’t want to drink your first cup of coffee in your pajamas there either.

Backyard living is meant to be more private. While it may be acceptable for residents to dress down while lounging in the backyard, it should still be thoughtfully designed. This is a perfect place to watch TV or dine in private without the neighbors scrutinizing your selections. Alley-loaded homes present a challenge to privacy due to its proximity to the alley. Adding vine covered fences or hedges bring both privacy and beauty to the space while keeping pets and children safe from the alley. The soothing sound of running water helps to block the sounds of the cars and delivery trucks running up and down the alley.

My backyard outdoor living is my rejuvenation space. It is where I relax and recover at the end of my workday. The fresh air, biophilia, and sounds of water work magically to relieve my stress. Capturing the outdoor space between the house and the garage must not be overlooked. But rather deliberately designed bringing in all the sense to create a place of wonder!

Dorothy was seeking the comforts of home and family. In home design, we strive to bring comfort, convenience, and joy to families. Don’t you think we could all use a bit of the wonder of Oz in our lives?