A couple with young children in San Rafael took advantage of our design consultation services to help them improve the garden areas at their newly purchased home. Their backyard is positioned on a very steep hill and surrounded by wild open space, which presented unique challenges but also ample opportunities for interest and charm. We helped them consider practical options for using a tiered garden space, while prioritizing safety for their young children. The heavily shaded backyard is frequented by deer so we recommended plants that could tolerate those conditions, while also satisfying their casual, yet sophisticated, NorCal winery-esque style.