Urban Renovation Transforms Deceptive Plot into Vibrant Suburban Retreat

In the heart of San Jose, California, a new California board-and-batten style house with a redesigned garden on a flag lot has become a local oasis, known as Birdsong Ranch. The project was the brainchild of Paige Coleman, an interior designer, who transformed the property over the course of eight years.

Prior to Paige's project, the garden was an uninspiring space that did little to minimise the impact of overlooking from neighbours. However, with Paige's keen eye for design and love for landscaping, the garden has been transformed into a lush and private haven.

The garden is split into five distinct rooms that function as an extension of the house year-round. There is a dining patio with a huge teak table, a lounging patio behind the refurbished barn, a raised fire pit patio, an outdoor kitchen area, and an Orchard Room.

The Orchard Room was the last piece of the puzzle and was inspired by an outdoor bath Paige saw at a friend's house. Large galvanized steel stock tanks have been used for container gardening, growing a mix of ornamentals and edibles like raspberries and herbs.

Two distinct pockets specifically for hummingbirds have been created, and a fountain was positioned next to the main patio for birds to bathe and drink. Paige chose plants that would provide habitat for birds and bloom year-round, ensuring the garden remains lush and vibrant throughout the seasons.

The garden at Birdsong Ranch features an enormous fir tree and a grove of acacias, some of which grow through the roof of the barn. The barn is the only original structure still on the site, but it was in poor condition and needed overhauling.

The landscapers dug up the lawn to lay pipes for water, sewage, and irrigation, and Koch & Associates was the landscape design company for the project. Brad Cox, Architect, Inc was responsible for the architectural design of the house, which was designed in harmony with the landscaping.

Thanks to Paige's clever choice of plants, Birdsong Ranch is already incredibly lush and provides privacy. Paige enjoys maintaining the landscaping as one of her hobbies, and the garden is a testament to her dedication and passion for creating beautiful outdoor spaces.