Front yard makeover for Sacramento-area mid-century modern home

Last summer, Kyle and I visited a new friend in Carmichael, a suburb of Sacramento, to give him and his wife input on their front yard. Tyler and Jessica Wichmann had already started on a dry garden, but they wanted more visual impact. Kyle and I suggested creating mounds and adding as many rocks as they could. That’s something I’ve been working on in my own garden – and something Kyle has perfected in his.

It took almost a year, but Kyle and I finally had the opportunity to see the result. Take a look at the photos below; the changes are dramatic!

Before:

Tyler and Jessica already had a variety of plants that do well with little water – a good start.

After:

Some of the cacti are still in the same spot, others were moved as the mounds were created.

Before:

The planting areas were completely flat.

After:

Now there are several mounds that create a dynamic flow. The ‘Desert Museum’ palo verde you see below (one of two) had previously been in a large concrete planter, but it’s much happier in the ground.

Before:

The Yucca aloifolia, Aloe ferox, and Trichocereus pachanoi were left in the same place.

After:

Wide paths separate the mounds, clearly defining what is for planting and what is for walking.

Before:

The difference between before...

After:

...and after is like night and day.

Tyler and Jessica have created a dynamic, low-water, low-maintenance front yard that sets a new standard for the entire neighborhood. There’s still plenty of room for more plants – something I’m always excited about. In fact, during our visit Kyle and I helped plant a dozen small barrel cacti Tyler had recently bought.

More than that, the Wichmanns’ new and improved front yard complements their backyard:

The minimalist aesthetic of the outside spaces is an extension of the house itself. It was built in 1976 by Streng Bros., a prominent Sacramento-area building company known for its distinctive mid-century modern homes. Founded by brothers Jim and Bill Streng, the company gained recognition in the 1960s and 1970s for its collaboration with renowned architect Carter Sparks. The Sparks-designed homes are characterized by clean lines, open floor plans, large windows, and an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living.

Streng Bros. neighborhoods were built primarily in the suburbs of Sacramento. They are often compared to Joseph Eichler‘s communities in the greater Bay Area and in Southern California because of their similar design philosophies. Streng homes feature unique architectural elements such as atriums, exposed beams, and minimalist aesthetics, which have made them highly desirable.

Streng homes continue to be a significant part of Sacramento’s architectural heritage. Unfortunately, many of them have been remodeled, updated, or otherwise altered since they were built. That’s what makes the Wichmanns’ house so special: It retains all the original features, including an indoor atrium, which has become a dry garden. Tyler loves euphorbias, and the planting areas inside showcase a variety of columnar euphorbias. The result is completely unique:

In March 2024, Tyler and Jessica’s home was featured on the renowned Open Space website. The accompanying 10-minute video is well worth watching, not only for the visuals of their house, including the atrium, but also for Tyler’s insightful commentary.

Here are a few other articles about the Wichmanns’ home:

• MCM Atrium: A Dry Garden Makeover (Atomic Ranch, May 2023)
• Wildflower Wonder: This 1976 Beauty Still Makes Sparks Fly (Inside Sacramento, February 2022)
• Younger People Seek to Preserve Strengs (Eicher Network, November 2021)

Tyler and Jessica own Timeless Thrills, a streetwear brand and retail store in Sacramento known for its local roots and community-focused approach. Their gallery space hosts exhibitions, art shows, and other events showcasing local, regional, and international artists. For more info, visit the Timeless Thrills website.

© Gerhard Bock, 2024. All rights reserved. To receive all new posts by email, please subscribe here.