Marin County · North Marin
Fire lounge. Pavilion.
A Novato yard
finally finished.
Landscape Design in Novato, California
One North Marin property — scroll first into the fire lounge and poolside kitchen, then walk the hillside, pavilion, pond and outdoor rooms that got you there. Full-property master plans by Hall Landscape Design. Also on our Marin County hub.
Chapter I · The fire lounge
The yard found its evening room.
How the rest of the property earned that lounge.
Chapter II · On the grade
The slope was the first room.
Raw bank, no terrace, nothing holding the hill. On a Novato lot the grade is often the problem and the opportunity. Scroll — and watch steel trough planters and planted terraces settle the hillside.
Terraces that hold.
Chapter III · Water & shade
Why the pavilion sits where it does.
Novato's warm, dry summers make water-wise design a natural fit — heat-tolerant, low-water palettes that stay handsome through the season with efficient irrigation intent. On larger lots, we design outdoor living, structure, and lighting that turn open space into cohesive, usable rooms.
With wildland nearby, fire-wise zoning and thoughtful plant placement are built into the plan. We balance resilience with the relaxed, elevated look Novato homeowners want — then coordinate the build with trusted contractors.
- Before
- Open ground without a water or lounge center
- Built
- Koi pond, rock stream, redwood pavilion lounge
- Then
- Pool deck, bar, and the kitchen you saw first
Chapter IV · Pool & kitchen
Cooking beside the water.
Same Novato property. Pool deck, outdoor bar, and pergola — then the kitchen and bar at golden hour. Everyday outdoor rooms for a warmer North Marin climate, not a wine-country estate template.
Deck to the water.
Golden hour on the same kitchen bar — the poolside room that ties back to the fire lounge you opened with.
Chapter V · The pavilion
From overgrown yard to a place to stay.
The cedar pavilion and fire lounge — same Novato property, the arrival shot that carries this project on the homepage. Structure, seating, and evening light on one North Marin lot.
Pavilion at last.
Same property · North Marin
Made for how this Novato house actually lives.
Hillside terraces, pond and pavilion, pool deck, outdoor kitchen, fire lounge — one master plan on a warmer, drier North Marin lot. Outdoor rooms with sun and space, not a Ross Valley mid-century clone and not a Napa wine-country reskin.
“Ian and his team did a wonderful job. He created a personalized, functional space, gave multiple options, and delivered a detailed plan any contractor could use. After design, his team connected us with reputable contractors for bids. Highly recommend.”
Same Novato property
More from this project.
Another zone on the same North Marin lot — not a mashup of other cities. Side yard path and border, still part of this Novato plan.
The visit
$300, and a walk around your Novato property with Ian.
Not a sales call. A working session: 25+ years of design thinking on your exact lot — the slope, the pavilion, the outdoor kitchen, and how you want to live outside. Credited to the design if you continue.
What you get for $300 All transformations More of this project Marin County projects Design pricing The Hall Method Questions first
Also designing in
FAQ · Novato & North Marin
Questions Novato homeowners ask
Can you design a steep or sloped Novato lot?
Yes. Many Novato and North Marin properties step down from the house or climb from the street — raw grade is common. We map drainage, retaining, and planting on site, then draw terraces, trough planters, and paths that hold the slope and stay buildable for your contractor.
Do you design outdoor kitchens and poolside bars in Novato?
Yes. On larger North Marin lots the outdoor kitchen, bar, and pavilion often become the everyday dining room. We plan cooking, seating, shade, and circulation with the pool edge and fire lounge so the build reads as one outdoor room — not disconnected add-ons.
What about a fire lounge near wildland in Novato?
Fire-wise placement matters at Marin's northern end. We site the fire lounge with clear zones, hardscape buffers, and planting that stays handsome without inviting ember risk — so evening living fits the property and the local fire reality.
What do I get for the $300 consultation in Novato?
An on-site working session with Ian on your exact lot — sun, slope, neighbors, and how you want to live outside. You leave with priorities and a clear direction. If you move into design, the $300 fee is credited. Design pricing depends on the site; see our pricing page for typical ranges.
Is Hall Landscape Design design-build only?
No. We are design-first. Most North Bay clients take a master plan to their own builder. We can coordinate a concierge handoff to trusted contractors when you want help with bids — without locking you into a build contract.