When homeowners Amy and Paul moved across the country from Michigan to Wine Country, they knew there would be tradeoffs such as warm, California sunshine, but a smaller home. After choosing a suitable home, the family knew they would have to maximize the square footage both inside and out to really enjoy both spaces. That realization led them to a redesign of their backyard into a true outdoor living space.

The family desired a peaceful, low-maintenance outdoor space that included a shade structure, such as a pergola or gazebo. Amy used Pinterest for ideas and inspiration. She eventually found an image of a backyard with a beautiful Redwood pergola. After securing a contractor and the building materials the entire project took a few weeks to build out.

The family’s backyard is truly an oasis. There are three distinct areas to the space. The first is directly under the Humboldt Sawmill pergola where there are two couches and a fire table. The second is a bistro table in the left-hand corner of the backyard by the fence and flowers, perfect for two to share a glass of wine and appetizers. The third area is in the opposite corner: two lounge chairs in the sunniest spot of the backyard.

Amy explained that she and her husband decided on Redwood for the project instead of a different kind of wood—“Redwood is the best of the best,” she explained. “Not being from here originally, we didn’t realize that Redwood really is the product of the region. It’s something that we wouldn’t have been able to use in Michigan, and now we are here in Sonoma County, we have that option. As homeowners, we also wanted the Northern California feel, which we now have.”

Amy was also inspired to use Redwood for its natural beauty and low maintenance qualities: “The color is gorgeous. We decided to do a slight stain to extenuate the vibrant, red color. If we had not done the stain, it would be just as beautiful, but slightly lighter.” Beyond its beauty, the shade structure in general is low maintenance because it will stand up to the elements of time, weather, rot, and insects. “I knew that if we used Redwood, I would be able to trust it 100% and not worry about frequent maintenance.” The design of the backyard overall fulfilled Amy’s desire to have a simple, yet gorgeous space that would not require daily work and hassle.

In addition to its beauty, Amy’s backyard is sustainable and doesn’t require a ton of water. Since the Humboldt Sawmill pergola is the focal point of the outdoor space, rather than a lawn, she does not have to worry about excessive water use, which is an important factor in California, which faces frequent drought-like spells. Likewise, the Redwood used for her pergola and fence are sustainable products alone because they come from an eco-friendly company—Humboldt Sawmill—who is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC® C013133) certified.

Now that the project is complete, Amy loves her outdoor living room. “My favorite part about our outdoor space is the outcome” she explained. “When we first moved here, I just wanted to move everything out of the backyard. It wasn’t a nice space and had not been utilized well.” Now her backyard is used as an additional part of her home: “It’s like we added another room on the house. Sometimes I don’t want to go inside.” For the future, the only modification that Amy plans on adding are a few bamboo plants along the fence.