The “Gibson House” residence by Gerard Colcord (circa 1927) is an English Tudor Revival which blends old-world craftsmanship with elegant contemporary styling in historic Hancock Park. The front yard was completely renovated to provide access to the house from the street while providing privacy. The old brick planters along the sidewalk was opened up to make formal entry with pedestrian access to the house. Two large native sycamores were planted to scale down the house and provide privacy and shade in tone with the neighborhood and the an elegant stone paver path loosely meanders through the yard all the while allowing an expansive feeling to a somewhat small entry yard. To the side, outside the main living area, sits a casual gravel garden with water feature provides a bath for birds and a gentle sound of flowing water.

In the back yard, our planting and pool update also mixes contemporary and traditional design languages to create a relaxing garden with a resort-like feel in the middle of Los Angeles.

Exterior color consulting and furniture selection by Jake Arnold (Architectural Digest) , Previous Designer for back yard not known

Photos by Caitlin Atkinson

This residential project in Highland Park is one of our favorites. Completed in 2019, the design is inspired by Palm Springs where the couple got married and their eternal happy place. The design included an update to the front yard where we enclosed a small terrace with fence and improved access to the space with a new deck and stairs. The back yard was a complete renovation that included a plunge pool with hot tub, a fire pit area for entertaining, breeze block pool fountain wall, and creating a "clubhouse" out of an underused room off the garage that is only accessible through the garden. Yay team!

Photos by Caitlin Atkinson

Installation by Coffman-MorrisLandscaping

Pool by Aquaman Pools (No social media)

“Peace is always beautiful.”

- Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

A traditional garden with shades of green uses lawn to link a lap pool with a pickleball court, pavilion with an outdoor fireplace with seating. Albeit small, the sculpture by the artist Henry Moore is on center display to the pool and visually holds space against its larger garden companions. Game/set/match Henry Moore.

Pavilion designed in collaboration with architect Paul Bryant Williger | Pavilion built by Santa Fe Construction | Garden Installed by Picture Perfect Construction | Maintained by Picture Perfect Construction (Maintenance Team)

All images by RWD unless noted

Seeking to limit water consumption, break up an underutilized concrete driveway, and and attract wildlife like hummingbirds, butterflies and bees - native plants, cactus, yuccas and water features were carefully selected for color, texture, and wildlife value. A large patio cover was also designed over an existing concrete patio to link the home interior to the garden and to provide afternoon relief from summer sun. Collaborating with the client, a collection of found objects and branches decorate the space and add additional places for birds to perch, insects to hide, and lizards to sunbathe. The result is a back yard that’s as easy on the eyes and well as environmentally friendly to our Southern California climate. 

Photography by Kurt Simonson

Installed by Coffman-Morris Landscape Design

"Subdued tone and stylized, graphical composition..." are words used by the Kaikai Kiki Gallery in Tokyo to describe the art of Cleon Peterson and words that inspired the garden at Cleon Peterson's studio in the foothills of Altadena,

Photography by Kurt Simonson

The farm comes to Los Angeles! This hillside home in the heart of Silverlake blends sustainable urban farming and garden design with food foraging and community into a comfortable contemporary aesthetic. This project is in collaboration with designer Brooks Atwood of Berries Design, Office42 Architecture, and Russell Wightman Design. The fantastic family who lives here are featured in the LA Times Lifestyle section.

Photos by Struktr Studio unless otherwise noted

With its roots in the natural and the romantic, “A Place for Reflection” is intended as a place of peace and rest.

Check out past and present Showcase homes and the organization's mission here

Photography by Roman Sebek