SAN CLEMENTE Residence - Outdoor Renovation
This backyard has a magnificent ocean/canyon/city view, another inspiration. She asked me to transform a drawing that was already designed by another designer. She wanted a more modern but zen ambiance where they can enjoy a spa to accommodate at least 8, a fire, lounge, wine and dine calmly with family and friends. However, they have two cute dogs so she asked me to minimize the vegetation accessible to the dogs, basically a more mineral (less vegetation more hard surfaces) not forgetting "Zen". So inspiring from the view, the house and the inside of her home this is the result. A large lava stone jacuzzi with water overflowing into a bed of white river stones (well it's more like a poolcuzzi) with a stainless steel cascade and planters behind the cascade. Along side to the jacuzzi, we built concrete benches covered with yellow velour outdoor cushions around the large fireplace. To have some vegetation that are inaccessible to the small pups, I designed randomly sized white aluminum planters with wood/storage bench on all corners of the yard, with low plants and bonsai trees. The planters and wood ipé bench which serves as storage was made to order and has led lightings fitted on its perimeter (outdoor speakers could also be fitted on these planters).
Photo Credit: Coy Gutierrez
Fire pit in to ground so it doesn't hinder view of water from pool