The Little Cottage With Big Potential

Before: Backyard

After: Outdoor "Rooms"

It’s hard to imagine this lush yard was once only a spread of dry dirt. To make the most of the space, Jen broke it up into zones—some for living and some for growing. A bed of pea gravel unites it all. “When I was remodeling, California was in the middle of a 10-year drought, so adding a lawn was not smart or kind to the environment. I also wanted a Mediterranean feel, and gravel was the best look for that,” she says.