I love projects where the brief is simple:

“Make it beautiful, have fun with it, I trust you”

Gotta love that, right? This project (construction will begin next month) was too much fun to design. The client gave me one word to describe the planting plan… “Dense” and said that word should inform the design of the plant material. Being a small space, we can go dense with the plants and still maximize the water usage. The plan will incorporate a new Ipe deck (to match existing decks elsewhere on the property) a concrete patio with decorative saw-cuts with a gradient-stain pattern, a simple and demure water-feature, retaining walls to add dimension and scale, and generous lighting. Here are a few before pictures, and some renderings. More to come

existing steps will remain

Renderings

    

This landscape was completed back in December of 2008. Here are some updated photos… Thats Emily the bulldog

“The Modern Patio”

This year we decided to try something new… Actually invite over 1 million fair-goers into our display. I know, I know, its risky but we really want everyone to experience the garden the way gardens are intended to be enjoyed. The Fair opens June 12, and I hope to see you there. Here is the garden description,

“THE SECRET OF THE OF MODERN PATIO IS NOT SO MUCH IN THE ELEMENTS YOU USE, IT’S HOW YOU PUT THESE ELEMENTS TOGETHER. INCIDENTALLY, MODERN GARDENING IS JUST THAT; USING MATERIALS IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE FOR THE REGION, LOCATION, AND TIMES WE ARE LIVING IN. SAN DIEGO IS HOME TO AN ECLECTIC MIX OF FLORA AND FAUNA AND WITH ITS MANY MICRO-CLIMATES COME MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO USE NOT JUST NATIVES, BUT A PANOPLY OF INTERESTING AND EXTRAORDINARY PLANTS. THE “OUTDOOR ROOM” IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR, AND WHY NOT? SAN DIEGO IS PERFECTLY SUITED FOR THE OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE, AND SINCE MOST OF US DON’T HAVE UNLIMITED REAL-ESTATE, OUR OUTDOOR SPACES DEMAND TO BE UTILIZED AND TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.
“THE MODERN PATIO” IS MEANT TO BE EXPERIENCED, NOT GAZED AT FROM AFAR, ITS A DESTINATION, A PLACE TO RELAX AND FORGET ABOUT YOUR WORRIES. THIS SPACE SHOULDN’T BE BURDENSOME OR REQUIRE MORE TIME TO MAINTAIN THAN ONE CAN AFFORD, AND HERE IN SAN DIEGO IT SHOULD BE PLANNED TO USE WATER IN AN EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER.
THIS DESIGN IS INTENDED TO SURPRISE AND DELIGHT. THE THEME IS AMBIGUOUS ON PURPOSE, THE PLANT PALLETE IS MEANT TO MAKE YOU THINK, AND THE COLORS ARE CAREFULLY ARRANGED TO ALLOW THE EYE TO REST. THE MASCULINITY OF THE STEEL AND WOOD IS BALANCED WITH THE FEMININITY OF THE FOLIAGE. THE QUADRATIC UBIQUITY IS BROKEN BY THE CURVES IN THE CONCRETE AND THE NATURAL PLANTER BEDS. BUILT-INS ARE A MUST, AND A COST SAVING ALTERNATIVE TO EXPENSIVE FURNITURE. THE VERTICAL GARDEN DRAWS THE EYE UP, WHILE THE WATER FEATURE WITH ITS SOUND AND MOVEMENT BRINGS US BACK DOWN. THE VISUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EACH OF THE ELEMENTS SHOULD COMPLIMENT, NOT COMPETE. IN THE END, YOU SHOULD LEAVE THE GARDEN FEELING REFRESHED AND HAPPY. WE HOPE YOU DO.”

Thank to our generous sponsors:

Pigment, Miramar Wholesale Nursery, Botanical Partners/Bamboo Headquarters, KRC Rock, Unique Lighting, West Coast Concrete, Western Cactus Nursery

For more information about the garden, how to purchase items from the show, or for design and construction questions please email Ryan@fallingwatersweb.com

To get ready for a private garden tour next week, Bryan and Jora Vess wanted us to spruce up their upper deck area. We craned in 3 large Olive trees (Est. 80 years old) and will finish the area with Decomposed Granite and some Agave vilmoriniana. More pictures after its completed. Enjoy