SubscribeGet The Magazine
mobile-logo
back to top
Homepage / Landscape + Garden  / A Once Overgrown Paradise Valley Landscape Becomes a Couple’s Dreamy Desert Retreat

A Once Overgrown Paradise Valley Landscape Becomes a Couple’s Dreamy Desert Retreat

Landscape designer Chad Norris artfully transforms a Paradise Valley home.

By Michelle Jacoby | Photography by Austin Larue Baker

Within a bucolic enclave of Paradise Valley, a home once framed by grassy expanses, dense hedges and overgrown trees has blossomed into a desert sanctuary.

A Midwestern couple saw in this property the potential to blend their love for architecture with the untamed allure of the desert Southwest. Guided by the husband’s eye for design and a shared passion for natural landscapes, they have cultivated a space where art, desert flora and tranquil water features create a harmonious retreat reflective of their new Arizona roots.

“We loved the home’s architecture and layout, but the landscaping left a lot to be desired,” recalls the husband. “In the front, it was just grass and a few overgrown oleander trees—you could barely see the entrance.”

Inspired by the landscapes they saw on a local home tour, the couple enlisted Phoenix Home & Garden Master of the Southwest Chad Norris to reimagine the entire property.

“It’s great working with clients who pay attention to detail and bring their ideas,” Norris shares. “It not only takes the guesswork out, but it elevates the whole outcome.”

Norris’s design incorporates a blend of lush greenery, desert plants and hardy cacti that thrive in Arizona’s climate, creating a striking contrast with the home’s neutral exterior.

For the couple, this garden is an extension of their home—a harmonious blend of nature, art and thoughtful design. “It feels truly ours,” the husband says. “Every detail reflects who we are and the place we call home.”

  • LANDSCAPE DESIGNER: Chad Norris, High Desert Designs.
The front of the home features a blend of lush desert plants, transforming what was once a fully grass-covered expanse from the street to the entry. “While we removed all the grass, we incorporated some smaller sections of artificial turf,” landscape designer Chad Norris says.
To add interest to the front yard, Norris incorporated gentle undulations to bring a softness and flow to the landscape.
A side view of the backyard ramada reveals a serene desert tableau, where clusters of native saguaro and senita cacti stand proudly against the structure. The scene showcases the blend of architecture and natural beauty.
Alongside the driveway, a compact desert garden mixes natural beauty with thoughtful design. At its heart, a striking yucca rostrata stands tall, its unique spines and flowering top adding dynamic texture among the cacti and native plants.
In front of the ramada, a rectangular pool features arching water jets, creating playful reflections that add to the garden’s peaceful ambiance. Small fountains are scattered throughout the property, providing an additional layer of tranquility. “The sound of water is so soothing,” says the wife. “It brings a sense of peace to our day.”
Originally an expanse of patchy lawn, Norris redesigned a back garden with large tile squares and faux turf inlays. In the center, raised beds surround one of the landscape’s many artworks.
A vignette includes organ pipe cactus, Argentine giant (Echinopsis candicans), Moroccan mound (Euphorbia resinifera) and agave Americana.
A mesquite tree shades a bench tucked beneath its canopy. Backyard walkways, dotted with potted plants, wind through the garden, adding bursts of color that soften the rugged desert landscape.
As the sun sets, the backyard transforms into an enchanting retreat. Soft accent lighting illuminates the metal sculpture and surrounding cacti in the foreground, casting a warm glow over the landscape. The pool and ramada are gently lit, highlighting the water’s surface.

SOURCES

Landscape designer: Chad Norris, High Desert Designs, Phoenix, highdesertdesigns.com.

POST TAGS:

Share

RELATED ARTICLES

Sign up for the Phoenix Home & Garden Newsletter

Stay up to date with everything Phoenix Home & Garden!

Our newsletter subscribers will have early access to things like:

  • Upcoming Events & Pre-Sales
  • Special Promotions
  • Exclusive Giveaways!