Hillside Garden Transformation: From Play Area to Multi-Level Entertaining Retreat

A Studio City, California, family turned a 1,000-square-foot former bike-riding zone into a sophisticated, multi-level outdoor living space. Architect Jeffrey Tohl designed a sequence of distinct areas connected by stairs, each capitalizing on the slope and views.

Lower Level: Outdoor Living & Dining

A gas fire pit sits in a cantilevered concrete hearth with a raw-steel backdrop (welded plates bolted to the retaining wall) that has developed a rich patina. A dining area at the far end is screened by timber bamboo in a raised planter—built to deter the family dog from digging.

Artful Details

• A second steel wall hanging complements a burbling fountain.
• A 9-foot steel shelf with stone top holds servingware.
• A vertical “floral painting” of plants rooted for three weeks before hanging on a wall-mounted track.

Upper Levels: Garden & Retreat

Stairs lead past a casual landing (landscape ties and gravel) to an organic vegetable garden. Terracing reclaims the formerly weedy hillside with aloes and drought-tolerant plants.

Top Level: Potting Shed & Hot Tub

A redwood potting shed with corrugated plastic roof. Repurposed concrete from the old play area forms a patio with a witty slatted privacy screen. A sunken hot tub frames the hillside vista—even the dog enjoys the view.

Smart terracing, industrial materials, and layered planting turn a steep challenge into a series of unforgettable outdoor rooms.