Olympic gold medalist and cookbook author Natalie Coughlin wanted to grow her own vegetables at her home. The fact that the property is carved into a steep hillside and covered by a grove of mature oaks presented us with a challenge. We designed and installed pest-proof redwood raised beds for her bountiful harvests, and winding stairs to access the tiered gardens and take in the views. The yard is not very big, so every inch matters in this hardworking garden. We used a neutral palette for the hardscape materials that blends in with the muted browns and greens of the drought tolerant surrounding wilderness. Read more about this garden in the April 2019 issue of Sunset Magazine.