Two adjoining lots created the ultimate party yard while preserving their legal status. The original lot had a large, Spanish style house while the new lot had a small mid-century bungalow. The design challenge was to meld the styles while keeping true to each house.

The original pool was in sorry shape and hemmed in by an unusable and dilapidated garage. My solution was to replace the garage with a legal carport that could be utilized as a pool cabana. The new capacious outdoor room has plenty of charm owing to the detailed woodwork and vintage repurposed Moroccan lights. Terracotta colored concrete pavers are a modern wink to the deep red flagstone used on the other side. A serpentine raised planter filled with Dwarf Magnolia trees behind the pool to add a focal point and distract from the neighbors’ house. A previously unused shady corner became a lovely seating area with a fire bowl. The unhealthy, water-guzzling grass was replaced with a low-water groundcover, bamboo was added for privacy along with a collection drought-tolerant plants in warm tones of reds and pinks. A large raised cedar bed was added for growing vegetables. All in all, this family has an amazing space to entertain, relax and play.