By Sharon Cohoon, Sunset senior garden writer

Since our monthly Design That Works page is different in each of our regional editions most months, a lot of you didn't get to see the one that ran in the Southwest edition this July.  And, since it just happens to be a personal favorite, I'm going to give the rest of you the chance.

What I like about this garden, besides the things already mentioned above, was that it was done with such a modest budget.  About $7,000 as Monika Hellwegen and Azul Cobb recall, and that included irrigation installation and their design fee.  

True, the project was finished a few years ago and the costs would undoubtedly be more now.  But they would still be relatively modest because hardscape was kept to a minimum in this garden and most of the decorative punch comes from plants.  

This is so opposite of the general trend these days -- mostly hardscape, few plants -- it makes an recalcitrant plant geek like me giddy with joy.   It also reminds me gardens can still be affordable if you forgo the outdoor kitchens and all the rest of the bells and whistles.  For these and other reasons, somehow this garden just makes me happy. Tour the garden here.

Here's what the garden looks like from the opposite point of view:

 And here's a portrait of Aria Poncirolli, the Santa Fe therapist who enjoys this yard.  This space used to be tired lawn and a few shrubs and Aria rarely used it.  Now it's her serene retreat.  She works hard making others feel better. It's nice she now has a setting that makes her feel better, too, and she didn't have to sacrifice her retirement plan to pay for it.