Before & After: A Family-Friendly Forest Retreat

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Written By Jannie Huang

Before

Some yards hold incredible potential but need the right design to make them safe, functional, and welcoming for everyday life. Our client's property was exactly that. Full of towering Douglas firs and open space, but with steep rocky slopes, overgrown garden beds, and storm-damaged hedges that left much of the yard underused.

Their vision: a playful, low-maintenance space where their kids could run, explore, and create, while the whole family could relax, garden, and enjoy being outside together.

Before: Rocky, Steep, and Underused

  • Steep slopes in the front yard made play unsafe and caused erosion.

  • Overgrown garden beds were more than the family wanted to maintain.

  • Lost privacy from storm-damaged hedges left the driveway and yard exposed.

  • The family loved their trees and forest setting but wanted a space that was more usable, safe, and playful.

After

This space now features a thriving berry patch and herb garden, raised beds protected by deer fencing, a reshaped lawn, and young fruit trees ready to grow. An adventure path winds through the yard with a balance beam, stump seating, stepping stones, a magical willow house, and a sand & boulder play zone — where imagination meets nature. 🍓🌳🪵 Let the outdoor memories begin!

Jannie Huang

Blue Salt Air is a creative studio designed to inspire and encourage artistic expression. We work with artisans, brands, and small business owners who have a vision but need a partner to help bring it to life.

Collaboration and incubation are the name of the game. We serve as a partner and sounding board through the process of creating a brand, brainstorming content, and planning out how you want to send it out to the world.

https://bluesaltair.com/
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From Fake Grass to Lush Northwest Beauty: A Backyard Transformation Rooted in Nature