A Rustic Retreat

Nestled in the quiet foothills near a large metropolitan area, Cyndi Goretski's home is the epitome of Craftsman charm.

Before

Before

After

Before

After

The house, which was part of an artist's retreat when it was first built in 1928, sits on a large lot and maintains a rustic feel — two things that attracted Goretski to purchase it.

Even in such an idyllic setting, though, Goretski needs the help of a designer to create a haven where she can entertain friends. The large backyard is broken into different sections that don't flow well from one to another. Which landscape designer will be up to the challenge?

Steve Terry's plan includes a bridge that leads to the swim spa. Landscape designer Robert Rush proposes walkways out of broken concrete to unify the yard. Kolleen White plans making the swim spa a focal point, viewed from various new seating areas.

After considering the designers' plans, Goretski chooses Steve Terry's design, and he transforms her backyard into a woodsy party paradise. With a show-stopping swim/spa as the centerpiece, landscape designer Terry turned Goretski's scraggly backyard into a wooded Shangri-la that is more beautiful than she ever thought possible.