At their historic home in the small Marin County, California, town of Fairfax, general contractor Alex Martin and ceramicist and Pilates instructor Annalisa Chasan are fortunate enough to own a double lot. While the couple had envisioned their children playing soccer in its large yard, in reality, "it was just a big expanse of thirsty grass," says Annalisa. "It was pretty, but not a space that we used—and we’re in the wrong climate for grass."