Landscape Design in Preston Hollow Dallas, TX

Preston Hollow Modern Courtyard with Fire Bowl and Concrete Pads

This Preston Hollow project in Dallas, TX highlights a refined approach to modern landscape design, where simplicity, scale, and materials do the heavy lifting. Set within the Russwood area of Northwest Dallas, the front yard was designed to feel calm, architectural, and deeply intentional.

A series of large-format concrete stepping pads create a bold approach to the home, floating over a field of dark gravel. Steel edging keeps the lines crisp while defining each zone with precision, giving the entry sequence a composed, gallery-like quality.

Near Inwood Road, Northaven Road, Royal Lane, and the Dallas North Tollway, many Preston Hollow and Russwood properties have the space, shade, and architectural presence to support a more sculptural front yard. This design uses that setting well, creating a front landscape that feels polished without feeling busy.

At the center, a sculptural steel fire bowl anchors a decomposed granite courtyard beneath a mature oak canopy, creating a quiet, grounded moment that feels both intentional and timeless. Low concrete walls subtly define the space without interrupting views, adding structure while maintaining openness.

The restrained material palette allows the landscape design to feel modern and enduring. Gravel, decomposed granite, concrete, steel, and drought-tolerant planting work together to create contrast, texture, and durability for the Dallas climate.

Drought-tolerant plantings and restrained massing keep maintenance low and allow the materials and layout to stand out. The result is a clean, modern front yard that feels calm, elevated, and perfectly suited to Preston Hollow, Russwood, and the quiet luxury of Northwest Dallas.

Aerial view of a Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood front yard with concrete slab walkway, gravel paths, steel planters, lawn, and shade trees

Key Features

Modern Landscape Design with strong architectural lines
Large-format concrete stepping pads
Steel edging for clean, defined borders
Central courtyard with sculptural fire bowl
Decomposed granite and gravel ground planes
Low concrete walls for subtle spatial definition
Drought-tolerant, low-maintenance planting palette
Designed for timeless Outdoor Living in Dallas, TX

Before and After

Before photo of a Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood front yard with concrete walkway, shaded lawn, mature trees, brick home, and mailbox

Modern concrete slab walkway in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with gray gravel, agave, path lights, steel edging, and mature shade trees

Project Gallery

Front yard gravel patio in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with steel fire bowl, concrete slab walkway, lawn, agave, and path lights

Front yard landscape in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with Japanese maple, gravel path, groundcover, liriope, and brick home

Aerial view of a Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood front yard with concrete slab walkway, gravel beds, steel planter, green lawn, and mature shade trees

Front yard planting bed in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with liriope, shrubs, gravel path, mulch, and mature shade trees

Front yard landscape in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with steel edging, river rock, groundcover, shrubs, lawn, and mature oak tree

Gravel front yard path in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with liriope, groundcover, steel edging, mature trees, and low path lights

Gravel path in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with groundcover, liriope, landscape lighting, mature trees, and green lawn

Shaded gravel walkway in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with liriope, groundcover, mature oak trees, and brick home

Close-up of path light in a river rock bed in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with concrete edging and mature shade tree

Raised concrete and steel planter in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with flowering shrubs, mulch, mature oak tree, and brick home

Close-up of river rock border, steel edging, concrete hardscape, and green lawn in a Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood landscape

Low view of river rock landscape bed in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with shrubs, path lighting, groundcover, and brick home

Mature shade tree over a Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood front yard with groundcover, river rock, steel edging, and modern walkway

Shrub planting in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with river rock border, steel edging, accent lights, lawn, and mature trees

Steel fire bowl in a Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood shade garden with gravel patio, concrete wall, groundcover, and mature oak tree

Close-up of weathered steel planter edging in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with green lawn and shaded front yard planting bed

Close-up of weathered steel planter edging in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with river rock, green lawn, and shaded front yard landscape

Modern concrete slab walkway in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with gray gravel joints, path lights, steel planter, lawn, and agave

Steel fire bowl on a gravel patio in Northwest Dallas, Preston Hollow, Russwood with concrete wall, groundcover, shade tree, and brick home

What to Know Before Designing a Modern Front Courtyard

How can landscape design make a Preston Hollow front yard feel more architectural?

Strong geometry, restrained materials, and clear sightlines can give a front yard a more architectural presence. In this project, concrete stepping pads, steel edging, gravel, decomposed granite, and low walls create a modern entry experience without cluttering the property.

Why use gravel and decomposed granite in a Dallas front yard?

Does a fire bowl work in a front yard courtyard?

What should homeowners consider before adding large concrete stepping pads?

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Create a Front Yard With Quiet Architectural Impact

Alterra Landscape Design creates outdoor spaces that feel refined, personal, and built with purpose. For a Preston Hollow or Russwood property, that means studying the architecture, shade patterns, entry sequence, drainage, material scale, and long-term maintenance before selecting a single finish. A modern courtyard with concrete, steel, gravel, and drought-tolerant planting should feel calm and intentional, not stark or unfinished. Alterra brings thoughtful design and construction knowledge to every detail, helping Dallas homeowners create outdoor living spaces with lasting beauty and function. Contact Alterra Landscape Design today to start planning your project.

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