Christiane Holmquist Landscape Design

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Dynamic Family Garden in La Jolla

November 28, 2013 By Christiane Holmquist

Shade Sails give this garden an airy, dynamic feelThis “outdoor home” has it all: Outdoor living areas; complete privacy and lush plantings.

The backyard was redesigned as intimate “outdoor home” with several usable spaces, inviting privacy, color and and interesting textures. Its muted tones, the weathered-looking hardscape materials and a colorful xeriscape design give this garden a beautiful matured feeling.

GOY_2013_winner

 

The garden achieved a 2013 “Gardens of the Year” award bestowed by San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles magazine. (Read “On Key”, by Eva Ditler; with photos by Martin Mann).


Before the remodel the existing garden was not very inviting.

(Before)

The existing backyard landscape design had an impractical layout: A planter bed chopped up the main patio, and the oversized pool deck left no room for plants that would give this garden life and interest.

 

 


This lounging area is especially inviting because of the fountain next to it.

The goal of the landscape renovation was the creation of several distinct use areas, in style and design harmonizing with the textures and colors of the contemporary California home; plants would be colorful, unfussy and low in their water needs.

 

 


Many beautiful hardscape materials add interest to the design

This project was a great opportunity to balance the hardscape materials with the plant-scape while applying a modern design palette to the overall composition, always pursuing the idea of weathering and maturity.

 

 

 

 

 


Pool and spa were modernized with a more efficient plumbing and a luminous glass tile.

The pool and spa look like a modern lagoon, adding to the feeling of peace and tranquility.

 

 

 

 

 

 


A hammock in a quiet corner invites to take a break under the canopy of a tree.

Besides being a fun retreat, this hammock allows viewing the garden from a different angle.

 

 

 

 

 

 


A double layer of pale green sails provides cool shade to a new dining and lounging area.

A double layer of pale green sails provides cool shade to a new dining and lounging area.
The layout and blend of the materials harmonize well with the tones and architecture of the residence:  Matte  concrete, rusted planters, mottled copper, faded wood and living bamboo.

 

 

 

 


The old cluttered garden was turned in a dynamic and sunny space, organized for entertainment, relaxation and play.

The old cluttered garden was turned in a sunny, dynamic yet restful ‘outdoor home’, organized to allow for entertainment, relaxation and play.
Despite the many built elements such as pavement, steel edging, naturally rusted planters and light troughs, the hardscapes do not overwhelm the garden.

 

 

 

 


Plants in dark colors give a dreamy feeling to the garden

The original overgrown tropical plants were replaced with subtropical low maintenance plants, in the owner’s preferred color palette of chartreuse, black-purple, and pink or yellow/orange: Dark Forest Pansy Redbud and “Ti Ruby” Cordyline; magenta Rock Purslane and golden Kangaroo Paw; also pink Echeveria to which Carex Evergold and Aechmea blanchetiana provide the yellow and orange contrast.
These are mostly drought resistant plants that provide a long-lived, elegant plant scheme whose interest is kept alive through their colorful foliage that will keep its strong presence in the garden throughout the seasons.

 


A landscape lighting idea was to add gas lights in steel troughs.

One of the landscape lighting ideas was to fill steel troughs with lava rock and place them strategically within the garden to act as beacons in the night and to prolong the outdoor entertainment after nightfall.

 

 

 

 

 


A rusted steel fountain is one of the highlights of the new patio.

The steel fountain is a serene visual and audible treat.

 

 

 

 

 

 


la-jolla-landscape-design-backyard-before

Halfway through the installation, the construction of an over-sized home in the neighbor’s yard was a big concern.

 

 

 


A Black Timor bamboo hedge acts as screen successfully hiding the neighbor''s home.

We resolved the challenge with a Black Timor Bamboo hedge that creates an intimate space and helps re-direct the eye inwards to vivid plantings and a synergy of all materials employed. It’s exciting to see how the black Bamboo stems echo the dark pavement in a wonderful contrast to the surrounding green foliage.This San Diego Landscape design is a joy to live in.

Filed Under: Landscape Design Projects Tagged With: backyard landscape design, drought resistant landscaping, landscape designer San Diego, Shade sails, Sustainable landscape design

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Christiane, your design is beautiful. Viewers love the design and color. Thank you so much for all your support while the project was being developed. It would have been more stressful for me had you not held my hand regularly.

Rachel Michel

CHRISTIANE HOLMQUIST LANDSCAPE DESIGN


Download my article published in San Diego Home and Garden Lifestyles Magazine!
Contact Me I offer phone and/or onsite consultations and landscape design.

Phone: 406-246-6065

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