When this project began, our clients were embarking upon the exciting process of building their new dream home & wanted a partner that shared their outdoor vision. We were thrilled to be a part of this exciting project from the very beginning stages to the final completion. It all started when our clients visited our design studio to discuss the early plans they had developed for their new home. They had a vision for what the home was to be but needed help creating a landscape design that would complement it.
Our clients’ new home was to be a beautiful mixture of classical Italian architecture with a more contemporary flavor. We first brought their architectural plans to life using 3D rendering software so that they could see the elevation changes & truly envision the feel of the home. Next, we set out to develop a landscape design that would seamlessly fit with the residence & meet the many goals our clients had for the property. Once we had a completed landscape design that our clients loved, we were ready to begin construction!
From the very beginning, elevations would play a critical role in our clients’ project for a variety of reasons. First, they had always loved the terraced look of many traditional Italian gardens. They envisioned a welcoming series of terraces for the front landscape that would further enhance the drama of their front entry. Also, in the rear landscape, they envisioned a sunken area to lower the outdoor living space & pool space for privacy. To achieve these goals, we created a series of terraces using stucco & stone walls to match the residence. We also incorporated a number of columns with a rich veneer stone (also matching the residence) to add yet another architectural element to the design.
In the front landscape, we used a combination of synthetic turf & hedges to give a simple, yet beautiful design. For color & impact, we created two large annual beds that would be filled with seasonal color. This gives our clients a dramatic planting space to always have something in bloom. We used a combination of Japanese Blueberry & Oak trees for the evergreen species. For blooming trees, we incorporated a series of Crepe Myrtles to bloom against the hot western exposure.
In the rear landscape, our focus was on creating a gorgeous outdoor living space for our clients. The focal point of this area of the design would most certainly be the swimming pool & spa. We created a beautiful, linear pool & spa design that accentuates the width of the lot. In utilizing the retaining walls for the sunken area, we were also able to create a stunning, sheer descent water feature that fills the whole backyard with the sound of falling water. This also creates a gorgeous fountain featured that may be enjoyed from nearly every spot in the backyard.
Moving on from the swimming pool & spa, we set out to create an outdoor kitchen space that would fit the aesthetics & our clients’ cooking needs. We again incorporated a natural stone veneer to match the pool’s fountain wall & also used a rich granite countertop that is simply stunning. The outdoor kitchen island offers bar seating for guests & for our clients’ there is the option of a Santa Maria style grill or a traditional gas grill for cooking. Overhead, we constructed an open & airy lattice pergola to provide shade for the outdoor kitchen island.
For the backyard’s landscape design, we again leaned into simplicity. The backyard boasts a gorgeous view of the neighboring golf course that we did not want to disrupt. Therefore, we used a healthy dose of lantana for a low-growing, heavy bloomer. We again incorporated synthetic grass to reduce maintenance & give the lush green of a lawn area. In shadier parts of the garden, we used a mixture of Azaleas, Hydrangeas & Japanese Maples.
Once completed our clients’ new home was truly a masterpiece. The end result was a remarkable landscape design that was beautifully married to a stunning home construction.