How a Designer Transformed Her Backyard Into Outdoor Rooms with Help from Destiny Landscaping

Although she had a clear aesthetic in mind—earthy, cozy, and grounded in natural materials—she wasn’t sure how to translate that vision into an actual landscape. That’s when she turned to the experts at Destiny Landscaping, a local design and build team known for transforming ordinary yards into inspired, functional environments.

What began as an unstructured lot has since become a series of “outdoor rooms,” each tailored to a specific purpose, creating a harmonious flow between indoor comfort and outdoor living.

From Raw and Untamed to Refined and Intentional

Before the transformation, the backyard was spacious but unshaped—overgrown in parts, bare in others, and lacking any real structure. According to Mckenzy, “There was no clear sense of how we’d use the space. We had ideas, but they needed refinement. And I knew enough to know that I needed help.”

That’s when she and Teddy began working with Destiny Landscaping, whose collaborative process helped them refine and develop a cohesive outdoor plan. Together, they mapped out a strategy to divide the yard into functional areas: places to cook and dine, to garden, to lounge, and to connect with nature. The concept of “outdoor rooms” became their guiding design philosophy.

Each “room” would be defined not by walls, but by a thoughtful combination of materials, elevation, plantings, and flow—carefully tailored to reflect how the family wanted to live in their space, day in and day out.

Designing with Purpose: Function Meets Feel

Every corner of the yard now tells a story. Off the kitchen’s Dutch door, a bluestone patio serves as a breakfast nook drenched in morning light. Along the side of the house, raised beds allow Mckenzy to grow herbs, leafy greens, and tomatoes during summer—something she calls “one of the most satisfying parts of the entire design.”

Adjacent to the lawn, a cozy fire pit with a built-in cement bench has become their go-to spot for casual evenings with friends. Further back, a dining area anchors the outdoor entertaining zone, making it easy to transition from cooking indoors to dining under the stars. Near the side yard, a custom-built outdoor shower with copper piping allows them to rinse off after hikes, beach days, or play sessions with their dog, Revi.

For Mckenzy, the layout had to be more than beautiful—it had to support real-life routines. “We didn’t want a showpiece,” she explains. “We wanted a yard that we’d actually use.”

Materials That Tell a Story

In collaboration with Destiny Landscaping’s design and horticulture team, the couple selected materials that felt authentic, durable, and full of character. A standout feature is the use of locally sourced bluestone, which forms paths and patios throughout the property. With their irregular edges and subtle color shifts, these stones evoke a sense of timelessness. “They’re not pristine—and that’s why I love them,” says Mckenzy. “They look like they’ve always been here.”

Other materials—like the raw concrete of the built-in bench, or the copper shower fixtures—were chosen for their ability to weather naturally and become more beautiful with time. Plants were selected for both form and function, including drought-tolerant natives and pollinator-friendly perennials that offer seasonal color while requiring minimal water and maintenance.

A Backyard That’s Used Every Day

Since completing the project, the couple has found themselves using the yard in ways they never anticipated. Morning coffees, casual dinners, slow weekends filled with gardening, and impromptu get-togethers—all have found a place in the rhythm of daily life. “The yard has become part of our routine, not just something to look at from the window,” Mckenzy reflects.

Last summer’s tomato harvest was a particular highlight. “They were honestly some of the best tomatoes I’ve ever eaten. There’s just something different about growing your own food and picking it straight from the plant.”

The outdoor shower has also become a daily ritual. “It might be the simplest feature, but it brings me joy every single day,” she says. “It resets me, even if it’s just a quick rinse.”

Why Destiny Landscaping Was the Right Fit

For Mckenzy and Teddy, working with Destiny Landscaping wasn’t just about hiring someone to execute plans—it was about co-creating a vision. “They were open to our ideas but brought a level of professionalism and creativity that elevated everything,” Mckenzy shares. “They translated what we had in our heads into a real, tangible plan. And that made all the difference when it came to construction.”

The couple particularly appreciated how Destiny’s designers stayed focused on both big-picture vision and small, thoughtful details—from drainage strategy to plant groupings to how light would move through the space at different times of day.

Creating Outdoor Rooms That Feel Like Home

This project is a testament to what’s possible when creativity meets collaboration. By taking a thoughtful, purpose-driven approach to landscape design, Mckenzy and Teddy have turned a once-forgotten backyard into a series of outdoor spaces that reflect their values, lifestyle, and aesthetic.

The yard now functions as an extension of their 1,200-square-foot home—something Mckenzy says was always the goal. “We may not have a big house, but now every inch of it, inside and out, works for us. That’s what great design is about—making space feel like home.”

Thinking about transforming your own outdoor space?
Destiny Landscaping specializes in helping homeowners turn yards into functional, beautiful extensions of the home. From edible gardens and outdoor showers to fire pits and custom patios, we bring your outdoor vision to life—with California sensibility, lasting quality, and your lifestyle in mind.

Let’s talk about how we can help you create your own outdoor rooms.