Landscape Design
Before and Afters
Yard of the Week: Pool, 2 Fire Pits and a Wood-Fired Pizza Oven
A designer’s Los Angeles yard maximizes indoor-outdoor living with zones for relaxing, entertaining and growing veggies
When interior designer Sybille Zimmermann was planning an addition to the one-story Los Angeles home that she shares with her husband, tween daughter and Greater Swiss Mountain dog, she was focused on maximizing their quality of life both indoors and out instead of simply maxing out their lot’s allowable building area. “We’re a small family. We like having a smaller house [and] a lot of outdoor space,” she says. They love to entertain, so her vision included an outdoor kitchen, a deck and a backyard pool. Low-water and pollinator-friendly plants and homegrown fruits and veggies were on their wish list too. Fortunately, the climate was on their side. “We live in California,” she says. “It’s always nice here.”
Before Photo
After: Lion Builder Construction handled the renovation, which absorbed the side yard (on the right in the previous photo) into the home and extended the back of the house, adding about 400 square feet (37 square meters).
Zimmermann, a Swiss-born interior designer who works on both residential and commercial projects, put her expertise to work planning the new landscape. Then she teamed up with landscape designer Kate Leuhusen of Lion House Design, who selected the new drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly plants and finessed Zimmermann’s layout to make it more free-flowing and organic.
Many of the yard’s existing plants and trees were preserved, including a row of pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Silver Sheen’, USDA zones 8 to 11; find your zone), lavender bushes and the large sycamore pictured in the previous picture. But a new, 30-foot-long lap pool with a pebble finish, an integrated spa and steps that double as seating replaced much of the existing back lawn.
The pool is only 5 feet at its deepest, which Zimmermann says allows them to heat it quickly and efficiently. An electric pool cover that opens and closes at the touch of a button also conserves heat and helps keep the pool clear of leaves and debris. In the summer, the family doesn’t have to heat the pool at all.
Zimmermann, a Swiss-born interior designer who works on both residential and commercial projects, put her expertise to work planning the new landscape. Then she teamed up with landscape designer Kate Leuhusen of Lion House Design, who selected the new drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly plants and finessed Zimmermann’s layout to make it more free-flowing and organic.
Many of the yard’s existing plants and trees were preserved, including a row of pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Silver Sheen’, USDA zones 8 to 11; find your zone), lavender bushes and the large sycamore pictured in the previous picture. But a new, 30-foot-long lap pool with a pebble finish, an integrated spa and steps that double as seating replaced much of the existing back lawn.
The pool is only 5 feet at its deepest, which Zimmermann says allows them to heat it quickly and efficiently. An electric pool cover that opens and closes at the touch of a button also conserves heat and helps keep the pool clear of leaves and debris. In the summer, the family doesn’t have to heat the pool at all.
One big plus of having the heated pool is that it’s made the house a year-round hangout for Zimmermann’s daughter and her friends. In fact, Zimmermann’s primary motivation for installing the cover — which, at $15,000, was a significant expense — was safety, given that kids her daughter’s age and younger are often around. (The cover also helps satisfy the state’s pool safety laws.) “When the pool is closed, nobody can fall in,” she says.
Zimmermann also can keep her eye on kids playing in the pool while standing at the kitchen sink, thanks to a large LaCantina pass-through window. The ledge is made of honed Carrara marble, which Zimmermann left unsealed.
“It is a natural stone that they paved the streets of Italy and cladded the exterior of their buildings with, and has held up over centuries, so no need for any treatment,” Zimmermann says.
Three all-weather wicker stools make the pass-through a convenient (and wet-bathing-suit-resistant) spot for a snack break.
Zimmermann also can keep her eye on kids playing in the pool while standing at the kitchen sink, thanks to a large LaCantina pass-through window. The ledge is made of honed Carrara marble, which Zimmermann left unsealed.
“It is a natural stone that they paved the streets of Italy and cladded the exterior of their buildings with, and has held up over centuries, so no need for any treatment,” Zimmermann says.
Three all-weather wicker stools make the pass-through a convenient (and wet-bathing-suit-resistant) spot for a snack break.
Before Photo
Before: The family loves to entertain, and frequently used this existing deck off the dining area, which had freestanding barbecues, a dining table and a triangular shade sail. But it had room to grow, since the existing fence along that side of the house was 5 feet inside the property line.
7 Easy Ways to Create a More Sustainable Yard and Garden
7 Easy Ways to Create a More Sustainable Yard and Garden
After: The new wall was pushed out to the property line, effectively regaining the yard space that was lost by installing the pool. Then Zimmermann expanded on the original design concept.
LaCantina bifold doors open two sides of the indoor dining area to a wraparound deck shaded by a larger, rectangular shade sail. The decking, which is made of a sustainable wood product called Kebony, looks like the Brazilian hardwood ipe but is less prone to warping. The silvering decking then transitions to poured-in-place concrete pavers framed by a sterile, drought-tolerant lawn alternative called Kurapia (Lippia nodiflora L., zones 7 to 13) at one end of the pool.
A marble-topped kitchen counter with a barbecue and a wood-fire pizza oven is built in along a new smooth-stucco wall. “It definitely took about a year to figure out how to make a proper pizza that was really edible,” Zimmermann says of the oven. But now the family uses it all the time to make not only pizza but also pies, pita bread, meat dishes and other foods.
LaCantina bifold doors open two sides of the indoor dining area to a wraparound deck shaded by a larger, rectangular shade sail. The decking, which is made of a sustainable wood product called Kebony, looks like the Brazilian hardwood ipe but is less prone to warping. The silvering decking then transitions to poured-in-place concrete pavers framed by a sterile, drought-tolerant lawn alternative called Kurapia (Lippia nodiflora L., zones 7 to 13) at one end of the pool.
A marble-topped kitchen counter with a barbecue and a wood-fire pizza oven is built in along a new smooth-stucco wall. “It definitely took about a year to figure out how to make a proper pizza that was really edible,” Zimmermann says of the oven. But now the family uses it all the time to make not only pizza but also pies, pita bread, meat dishes and other foods.
Because the house is small inside, the homeowners keeps the doors open when they entertain whatever the season so there’s indoor-outdoor flow. But even in Southern California, nights get cold, especially during the winter. So while they have freestanding heating lamps, they’re more apt to host during the summer. Adults, anyway. “The kids don’t care,” Zimmermann says. “It can be freezing outside, and they’re still in the pool.”
Behind the table, pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’, Zone 10) and cardboard palm (Zamia furfuracea, zones 9 to 11) — from Zimmermann’s ever-growing collection of potted plants — add some softness and color against the home’s black-and-white palette.
“I’m trying to stay off Facebook Marketplace as much as I can at this point,” Zimmermann says. “Every time I tell my husband, ‘I have some some errands to run,’ he’s like, ‘I’m afraid you’re going to come home with a pot or a plant or both!’” Zimmermann says with a laugh.
Shop for outdoor products on Houzz
Behind the table, pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’, Zone 10) and cardboard palm (Zamia furfuracea, zones 9 to 11) — from Zimmermann’s ever-growing collection of potted plants — add some softness and color against the home’s black-and-white palette.
“I’m trying to stay off Facebook Marketplace as much as I can at this point,” Zimmermann says. “Every time I tell my husband, ‘I have some some errands to run,’ he’s like, ‘I’m afraid you’re going to come home with a pot or a plant or both!’” Zimmermann says with a laugh.
Shop for outdoor products on Houzz
Pavers flow into the back corner of the yard (opposite the outdoor dining area), where there’s a large sectional sofa covered in pillows from a local interiors store, a lounge chair, a 32-inch-wide fire table and a freestanding wooden stump — one of several serving around the yard as side tables and stools. A creeping fig (Ficus pumila, zones 9 to 11) softens the wall behind the sectional.
This heated seating area expands the entertaining area beyond the deck on those cool evenings.
Fire table: Metropolis, Elementi
This heated seating area expands the entertaining area beyond the deck on those cool evenings.
Fire table: Metropolis, Elementi
A detached backyard office (not pictured) opens to this shady patio in the other corner of the backyard. The patio is surrounded by large, leafy plants, including giant white bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia nicolai, zones 9 to 11), Tasmanian tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica, zones 9 to 10) and a potted rubber plant (Ficus elastica ‘Tineke’, zones 10 to 12).
Zimmermann took inspiration from Italian gardens when designing the checkerboard patio, which is made of red and white CalArc by Stepstone pavers. It’s a pattern that she often uses when designing hardscaping and common areas for apartment buildings, which is a big part of her business. “It’s an easy design element that just always looks good, in my opinion,” Zimmermann says. “I can’t get tired of it. I feel like it’s a classic.” Plus, unlike the existing poured-concrete pad, which was often covered in puddles, these dry-laid pavers allow water to permeate through their joints.
Here, Zimmermann can work quietly or meet clients, even when a lot of people are hanging out in the pool. The kids love it too. “When we have dinner and they want to be separated from the grown-ups, they have their own little dinner party back there,” Zimmermann says.
Zimmermann took inspiration from Italian gardens when designing the checkerboard patio, which is made of red and white CalArc by Stepstone pavers. It’s a pattern that she often uses when designing hardscaping and common areas for apartment buildings, which is a big part of her business. “It’s an easy design element that just always looks good, in my opinion,” Zimmermann says. “I can’t get tired of it. I feel like it’s a classic.” Plus, unlike the existing poured-concrete pad, which was often covered in puddles, these dry-laid pavers allow water to permeate through their joints.
Here, Zimmermann can work quietly or meet clients, even when a lot of people are hanging out in the pool. The kids love it too. “When we have dinner and they want to be separated from the grown-ups, they have their own little dinner party back there,” Zimmermann says.
Along the side of the house that was expanded during the renovation, the primary bathroom opens to this outdoor shower built from extra Kebony decking. Zimmermann says she showers here all summer, and their dog gets her bath here too (albeit more relunctantly).
Two potted majesty palms (Ravenea rivularis, zones 10 to 11) create a tropical vibe.
Two potted majesty palms (Ravenea rivularis, zones 10 to 11) create a tropical vibe.
Here’s a peek at the new primary bathroom that flows into the outdoor shower.
Click the image to see more of the bathroom and the rest of Zimmermann’s interior design, as well as a few additional photos of the garden.
Click the image to see more of the bathroom and the rest of Zimmermann’s interior design, as well as a few additional photos of the garden.
Before Photo
Before: Prior to the remodel, Zimmermann and her family rarely used this front entrance to the home (which is hidden behind the overgrown hedge) or the grass-covered front yard. They entered from the rear of the house, near the garage, and relaxed mostly in the backyard.
While stuck at home during the pandemic, however, they found themselves drawn to the front of the house, where they could more easily interact with their neighbors. So Zimmermann knew that she eventually would want to create a seating area there.
“I would see people with their fire pits outdoors at night, hanging out drinking wine, and I was like, ‘I want to do that! I want to be able to sit out there and have a glass of wine and a fire and chitchat with my neighbors when they come by,’” Zimmermann says.
While stuck at home during the pandemic, however, they found themselves drawn to the front of the house, where they could more easily interact with their neighbors. So Zimmermann knew that she eventually would want to create a seating area there.
“I would see people with their fire pits outdoors at night, hanging out drinking wine, and I was like, ‘I want to do that! I want to be able to sit out there and have a glass of wine and a fire and chitchat with my neighbors when they come by,’” Zimmermann says.
After: They’d planned to address the front yard at a later date. But when the construction killed the grass and other plants, they decided to tackle the yard’s landscaping at the same time as the rest of the renovation.
In this photo, which was taken from a few steps back relative to the “before” photo above, Zimmermann is relaxing next to her new Cor-Ten steel fire pit from MK Design Elements, in the shade of an existing tree. The seats are inexpensive folding wood patio chairs and another stump. Everything is arranged on a base of periodically refreshed decomposed granite, or DG, that replaced much of the grass.
Sprinklers water the remaining grassy areas in the front, and drip irrigation keeps the landscaping lush everywhere else. The family’s gardener adds mulch and fertilizers to the plants each March and reseeds the grass if necessary. The trees, plants and bushes are cut back during the spring and fall to promote growth.
In this photo, which was taken from a few steps back relative to the “before” photo above, Zimmermann is relaxing next to her new Cor-Ten steel fire pit from MK Design Elements, in the shade of an existing tree. The seats are inexpensive folding wood patio chairs and another stump. Everything is arranged on a base of periodically refreshed decomposed granite, or DG, that replaced much of the grass.
Sprinklers water the remaining grassy areas in the front, and drip irrigation keeps the landscaping lush everywhere else. The family’s gardener adds mulch and fertilizers to the plants each March and reseeds the grass if necessary. The trees, plants and bushes are cut back during the spring and fall to promote growth.
One original priority was being able to grow fruits and vegetables. These raised beds, which were previously in the shady side yard, are now in this sunny spot just beyond the fire pit. Here, depending on the season, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, lettuce, beets, cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, carrots and other vegetables now thrive. Zimmermann notes that she’d like to replace the remaining grass with more garden beds eventually. Meanwhile, she and her family are still waiting for their orange tree to produce fruit, but a new fig tree and passion fruit vine already are providing more fruit than they can eat.
Now the front yard is Zimmermann’s favorite part of the house, she says. She tends to her veggies nearly every day, drinks her morning coffee next to the fire pit and enjoys those neighborly chitchats. The family’s dog often joins her, watching for other dogs to pass by. And butterflies, bees and hummingbirds are regular visitors now too.
What to Know About Adding or Renovating an Edible Garden
More on Houzz
Read more stories about landscape design
Browse landscape photos
Hire a landscape contractor
Shop for your outdoor spaces
Now the front yard is Zimmermann’s favorite part of the house, she says. She tends to her veggies nearly every day, drinks her morning coffee next to the fire pit and enjoys those neighborly chitchats. The family’s dog often joins her, watching for other dogs to pass by. And butterflies, bees and hummingbirds are regular visitors now too.
What to Know About Adding or Renovating an Edible Garden
More on Houzz
Read more stories about landscape design
Browse landscape photos
Hire a landscape contractor
Shop for your outdoor spaces
Sponsored
Northern Virginia Interior Designer - Best of Houzz 2013-2020!
Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: Sybille Zimmermann of Studio Zimmermann; her husband, Howard; their 12-year-old daughter; and their dog
Location: Los Angeles
Size: 6,799 square feet (632 square meters)
Landscape designer: Kate Leuhusen of Lion House Design
Contractor: Lion Builder Construction
Before: This is a view of the back of the house and backyard prior to the remodel. The existing 1,100-square-foot (102-square-meter) house lacked storage, a true third bedroom and indoor-outdoor flow. The backyard had a swath of lawn, roses and hedges that were pretty but didn’t look particularly authentic to Southern California. And the side yard was just underutilized space.
After living in the house for about seven years, Zimmermann and her family took the plunge and began remodeling both the house and yard during the pandemic.
Find a landscape designer near you