Green Valley Highlands Residence

From a family game of badminton, swimming a few laps in the pool, to hiking up to the hot tub to enjoy the water therapy and panoramic view, this active family’s vision provided the catalyst for design. The design vision for this custom residential garden design included a lap pool, outdoor entertainment and recreational areas, indoor-outdoor connectivity, waterfall and boulderscape, and a hot tub. The owner had always wanted to have a hot tub, and although this project was designed and built well past the height of hot tub popularity, this became one of his dreams fulfilled. It was also the owner’s desire that the hot tub have a view and the only appropriate location was on the top of the backyard slope where one could look over the rooftop and appreciate the view of the valley beyond. The hard angular pool and hardscape design connect with the modern abstract interior design. The pool is pinched in the middle, without impinging on the necessary lap pool dimensions, to achieve a feeling of looking around a corner and enhance the sense of distance. Boulder groupings were placed first and hardscape built around them to provide a lasting quality and connectivity to the earth. 

Del Mar Residence

The design vision for this coastal residence was a lush tropical tide pool lagoon. Queen Palms, Pygmy Date Palms, Sword Ferns and Bird of Paradise created the illusion of a remote tropical paradise.

An assembly of design elements included sandblasted grey boulders, French grey pool plaster and sand blasted French grey concrete paving reminiscent of the local tide pools and shoreline sand are accented by sea color aqua blue tiles. The upper tide pool waterfall basin is lined with black beach pebbles, with water so still and clear you can easily imagine sea urchins and hermit crabs scurrying about. As the water tumbles over the boulders and into the pool, it appears as crashing waves working back towards the Sea.

An adjacent sunning and view deck was placed directly in the sun's path, in an upper area which offers the only view of the ocean from the back yard. On the opposite end of the garden, a comfortable conversation area with lava rock fire pit provides a stunning view back towards the waterfall. The many curves of the hardscape, boulders, pool, spa and fire pit promote the exotic tropical spirit that makes this garden a refreshing getaway.

Blossom Valley Residence

Designed and built for a retiring couple, this custom residence was sited high above Blossom Valley in East San Diego County. The owner's design vision was a low maintenance Xeriscape garden with outdoor entertainment areas with open vistas emphasizing the magnificent view. Rock work comprised of boulders and smaller cobbles captured the feeling of a local Southern California stream and the distant rocky terrain. A waterfall located above the spa circulates water to the pool below bypassing the heated spa water while appearing to run through it. Seat walls and patio furniture provide flexible seating and entertainment areas.