A series of superimposed view paths cross the back yard in two directions: fire, water, landscape, entry. Fire from the master bedroom to the fire pit, water from the house to the golf course pond, passing over the pool and spa, landscape from a sitting place under a tree to a formal citrus orchard.
Be bold!
The style: modern, dramatic, bold. And comfortable, too. Sitting areas adorn most areas to encourage strolling, sitting, socializing. Wetter areas mix spiky gray rush with colorful hardy geraniums. Drier areas show off red yucca, agave, lomandra, dianella and ornamental grasses. The citrus orchard will become a square of trees to anchor one end of a path, while a shade tree at the opposite end beckons you to sit and relax.
A sculptural backdrop will flicker in the flames of the fire pit, blocking views to the pool equipment and neighbors, and needlelike Italian cypress will rocket over a concrete screen wall flanking the fire pit. Flowering trees scattered around the garden will bring color overhead to complement the soft greens and grays of the foliage beneath.
Pick a path…
The fire axis runs from the master bedroom, over the spa and pool and terminates at the fire pit. There’s a see-through fireplace in the bedroom, so you look across water reflecting fire from either point.
The water axis runs out from the house, actually through the house: the front path lines up with the pool, with a secondary water axis running from a dining room over the spa. If that weren’t enough, it continues off the property to a pond in the adjacent golf course.
And entertain!
This garden, with its interlinked spaces, gathering areas and generously sized gas grill is made for entertaining. Soft lighting brings a subtle glow to the landscape as twilight seeps over the golf course. Shimmering light from the pool and spa counterpoint warm firelight rising from the sunken fire pit. The main patio is next to the house, extending the home’s entertainment space into a generous outdoor room. On cooler days, the dining nook’s bay window brings the landscape into the home.
The pool was filled only days ago. The sculptural reflector/screen behind the fireplace is still in fabrication. The plants need time to grow, and the entire space will develop a lived-in patina that contributes to feelings of comfort. We’ll return as time goes by to celebrate the garden’s movement towards maturity.