FormLA Landscaping

Home Improvement Professionals , Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers
13 Reviews
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FormLA Landscaping
13 Reviews

Lush, Leafy, Wildfire-Prepared Space

Before photos showcase a 2009 renovation that charmed viewers of At Home, Outside on HGTV and earned coverage in Form Magazine. Theodore Payne Foundation featured it on its 2010 and 2011 Native Garden Tours. Here are its latest wildfire-ready renovations inspired by requests from Allstate Insurance.
Project Year: 2023
Country: United States
Others who worked on this project: Theodore Payne Foundation
With the Verdugo Mountains wrapping it on all sides, the home itself has been hardened to wildfire. It has a Class A roof, fire-rated vents, well maintained stucco and epay siding, as well as firm window and garage seals.
Wildfire-Hardened Home
The treefull front garden includes an IdealMow Meadow retaining a steep slope to a petite turf grass lawn. Floating concrete stairs traverse the hillside. The permeable driveway bands allow stormwater to permeate to reduce runoff and support foliage.
Mountain View Modern Landscape
Because the property's established and varied trees were planted in the right place, fire agencies and Allstate viewed them as more protective than dangerous.
Abundant Tree Canopy
Neighbors regularly inquire about the IdealMow Meadow of native Red Fescue that helps retain the slope. It needs no mowing and very little water to maintain its waves of green.
IdealMow Meadow
Can you imagine a more delightful place to sit? Views include a rewilded Verdugo Mountain hillside beyond the landscape's own tree canopy. The sound of birds and the gurgling water have enticed the homeowners to spend more time here. On red flag days, the cushions and wood tables come inside. The...
Prepared Front Patio
A fountain and gurgling stream extend the ember resistant zone of the house 5-feet from its eves.
Waterfall in Zone 0
Sea Thrift and other low-growing riparian foliage sit in the water feature and beyond the home's ground-level ember resistant zone.
Mountain View Modern Landscape
In the Zen garden of the side yard, gravel, rocks and pavers are arranged to protect the home's low windows and create peace-inducing views.
Zen Garden
The homeowners have hardened many of the home's features, and they intend to address the eves. For now, they are freshly painted and well maintained. Well established trees are kept limbed up away from the eves and roofline.
Eves and Tree Canopy
An umbrella shades the homeowner's favorite place to take in views. The addition of the ember resistant rock and stone close to the home and fence made it possible to add deeper seating. Because the furnishings are metal, only the cushions and umbrella fabric need to be stored on red flag days.
Shaded Room with a View
The infinity spool overlooks both hills and valleys, delightful day and night.
Shaded Spool View
The BBQ and Bar built into the retaining wall were part of the garden's original 2009 remodel. Breaks between concrete pavers are also part of the original design and help sink stormwater and runoff from the slope.
BBQ and Bar
Removing foliage and adding ember resistant materials under the home's eves created patio seating from a walkway. The homeowers delight in the mix of natural and river rock - and being able to host more friends. The metal furnishings are non-combustible and can stay put on red flag days.
Seating in Zone 0
An expansive outdoor umbrella brings shade when it's needed and sparkle when it isn't. Those seated beneath enjoy the sounds of the fountain embedded in the ledger stone wall, fragrance from the native plants on the slope, and quite possibly the scent of BBQ too!
Waterfall in Modern Living Space
The fountain built into the retaining wall received a new backsplash. The tiles, identified by the owner, intensify the visual of water flowiing.
Refreshed Fountain
The space as a whole maintains its vibrant and verdant feel with hillside and retaining wall-adjacent foliage providing delightful views.
Umbrella-Shaded Living Space
Cutouts for foliage beds near the retaining wall help maintain the backyard's green aesthetic after the removal of under-eve foliage. They also add new views for interior spaces.
New Plant Beds
Abundance native plant life helps stone and concrete walls retain the steep slope behind the home, surrounding the patio and home in greenery. A system of trails eases maintenance and brings the joy of being out in nature.
Retaining Wall and Trails
Further away from the home, railroad ties form retaining walls, stairs, and boundaries for the decomposed granite trails. Hillside foliage is authentic to the Verdugo Mountains and includes mounds of sunny Monkey Flower.
Hillside Steps
A petite decomposed granite patio offers a place to rest and enjoy expansive views of the Verdugos.
Compelling Views
This side of the home's Zone 0 has always been a smooth and clear service entrance. The trash bin nook built into the retaining wall may be a home-saving intervention. While added in the original 2009 renovation, it is cutting edge! A CAL FIRE+IBHS analysis of home ignitions during the 2025 LA...
Before & After | Trash Bin Storage
This saltwater spool with insta-hot shower and fire pit provide limitless family fun. Photo by Orly Olivier.
Before | Saltwater Spool with Insta-Hot Shower
Both built in and mobile seating surrounds the fire pit, creating a cozy nook. Photo by Orly Olivier.
Before | Cozy Fire Nook
The saltwater spa overlooks a panoramic view of the Verdugo Mountains. Photo by Orly Olivier.
Before | Spool with a View
The steep slopes behind this California Contemporary home are supported by a long ledger stone retaining wall making room for the permeable concrete patio. Photo by Orly Olivier.
Before | Outdoor Entertainment Space
This copper waterfall adds beauty and delightful sounds enjoyed from both outdoor and indoor living rooms. Photo by Orly Olivier.
Before | Copper Waterfall, Retaining Wall
By day, the California native foliage surrounding the salt water spool and retaining the slope above add vibrance. Photo by Orly Olivier.
Before | Insta-Hot Shower and Petite Patio
This built-in BBQ invites company and conversation. Photo by Orly Olivier.
Before | BBQ Bar + Retaining Wall
The passively cooled wine cellar, embedded in the ledger stone retaining wall and hillside, compliments a full outdoor kitchen with built-in and mobile seating. Photo by Orly Olivier.
Before | Outdoor Kitchen Patio
Intricate slope retention mixes artful retaining walls with trails surrounded by California natives. Photo by Orly Olivier.
Before | Retaining Walls and Layers
One of ten seating areas in the garden, this custom-made bench overlooks the Verdugo Mountains. The sustainable epi-wood fence compliments the siding of the contemporary home.
Before | Custom Bench Overlooking the Verdugos