Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/790320
Backyard playland thewaytogo,"sheadds. Forauniqueapproachtoconserving waterinthelandscape,Papiorecom- mendsaraingarden,designedtotakein andstorerainwater. Evenwithallthiswinter'srain,westill havetoconservewater,Kellynotes, cautioningthataquifersremainat droughtlevels. Sustaining life Replacement lawns, drought-tolerant plants and water conservation are all part of a larger trend of sustainability that includes edible landscaping, permeable hardscape and an eco-friendly environ- ment that doesn't require pesticides. Such areas encourage pollinators, including bees, birds and butterflies. Sustainability should be considered from the beginning of the design, says Papio. To create a back yard that invites lingering, a design "should incorporate sustainability and usability both," says Papio. Trees, flowers, grasses and bushes sur- round the Bonino back yard, making it a playground for birds, the occasional deer, as well as their teen son AJ, large family and guests. Linda Bonino nods. "Yes," she says, "it's all about play time." n Clockwisefromtopleft:TheBoninos' partly glassed-in outdoor entertainment room, which includes a 70-inch TV, outdoor fireplace, and a complete OCI chef's kitchen, covered by louvered panels that can be adjusted to allow in more sun is an expansive play and relax space; Weatherproofspeakersdisguisedaslandscape rocksmakesurethereis musiceverywhere. – Photos provided by SoundVision, Novato, Calif. Dining al fresco with a view. –PhotobyAJBonino Left to right: Angelica Papio of DIY Edible Gardens designed a permeable hardscape that lets rainfall percolate into the soil. Paths and patios that are paved with decomposed granite, stone and groundcover, or gravel, conserve water by sinking it down into the landscape. Permeable paving materi- als add aesthetics and structure to the landscape. – DIY Edible Gardens portfolio; DIY Edible Gardens' Angelica Papio says red-flowering currant, (Ribes sanguine- um), a deciduous shrub native to the coastal ranges of California, is suitable for a rain garden. A Marketing Supplement of the Marin Independent Journal | marinij.com North Bay Home February 26, 2017 11