--- title: "Satori Garden Design — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/satori-garden-design-pfvwus-pf~436443178 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~436443178.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Satori Garden Design" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/df43520700453f0e_8000-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "502 16th Street, Santa Monica, California 90402, United States" latitude: 34.0349 longitude: -118.503 phone: "(310) 663-9529" website: http://satoridesigns.net rating: 4.9 review_count: 19 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 134 last_updated: 2026-08-25 --- # Satori Garden Design Original Houzz profile: [Satori Garden Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/satori-garden-design-pfvwus-pf~436443178) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Santa Monica, CA - **Serves:** Bel Air, Brentwood Los Angeles, Venice, Santa Monica, Encino, Culver City, Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, El Segundo, Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (19 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2015–2022), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves Landscape Design & Coaching \| Horticultural Therapy \| Garden Education At Satori Garden Design we strongly believe a beautiful landscape is in rhythm with the climate it is in, designed and maintained in a way that supports and improves the soil and our native flora and fauna. A garden designed in this manner gives years of delight to its owner as they watch it mature and become a resilient ecosystem ripe with changing textures and colors. Satori Garden Design specializes in residential landscape design with a focus on designing sustainable gardens, edible gardens and outdoor spaces. We create low water landscapes using California native plants, lawn alternatives and meadows, succulents and Mediterranean plants, in conjunction with sustainable practices such as building soil fertility, rainwater harvesting and the selection of low impact materials. ### Services Provided - Garden Design - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Site Planning ### Areas Served - Bel Air - Brentwood Los Angeles - Venice - Santa Monica - Encino - Culver City - Beverly Hills - Pacific Palisades - El Segundo - Marina del Rey - Playa del Rey ### Typical Job Cost $10,000 - 150,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Satori Garden Design | | Address | 502 16th Street, Santa Monica, California 90402, United States | | Phone | (310) 663-9529 | | Website | http://satoridesigns.net | | Followers on Houzz | 134 | **Social profiles:** - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/pub/arleen-ferrara/19/177/950 - Blog — http://satoridesigns.net/blog/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Satori Garden Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/satori-garden-design-pfvwus-pf~436443178) - **Website:** http://satoridesigns.net - **Phone:** (310) 663-9529 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Certified in Sustainable Landscape Design; Certified in Permaculture - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2015–2022), for Service. **Affiliations** - [Association of Professional Landscape Designers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/association-of-professional-landscape-designers-pfvwus-pf~92795973) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 19 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — HU-233768589, May 2021** > Hooray for Arleen and Satori Garden Design. > > Our 1921 craftsman in Santa Monica was in dire need of a front yard update. We are on a corner lot and over the years had a miss mash of styles and frankly weeds that needed to go. On my daily walk in the neighborhood I saw her sign on her own garden and knew right there and then that we wanted to use her talents. > > Living in Santa Monica we are fortunate that the city has a rebate program for removing lawn and planting a sustainable landscape. Arleen has done many of these over the years so knows all of the requirements for both the plants and irrigation system. > > Arleen was patient and listened to all of our concerns and paid close attention to the types of plants we were attracted to planting. She took our suggestions and added her own artistic ideas and came through with a beautiful design. She was even able to repurpose tree trunks from two trees which needed to be removed into the design which truly made our yard unique. > > Arleen gave us stellar recommendations for the tree removal and the installation. Abelino and his crew were extremely hard working, courteous, efficient, knowledgeable and left everyday with the yard looking spotless. > > We are so happy with our new yard. Thank you Arleen. **★★★★★ — Nancy Russell, July 2018** > Am I glad we used Satori Garden Designs—YES! Did I like Arleen (the owner/designer)—YES! Do the people in our neighborhood continually say what a wonderful new front yard we have—YES! What all the reviewers say is true. Arleen is wonderful to work with. She listens to your wants and needs, does a great job on her design and her costs are reasonable. > For those who want more details, my yard is somewhat complicated since we have areas with sun but also large areas that have deep shade. I wanted a drought-tolerant landscape and plants that provided some color. Since most drought tolerant plants are for sunny areas, our yard can be challenging. That was no problem for Arleen. She was able to build a front and back yard that works beautifully throughout and is thriving in both the sunny and shady areas. Moreover, she is familiar with various rebates available for changing to drought tolerant landscaping so she makes sure her designs will meet rebate requirements. > I also wanted a new entry from the street that made it more inviting to guests. She provided this in her design along with a rain garden that gives the appearance that it is a dry creek under the new walkway. I was planning to have a simple backyard since we already have a deck. However, her plans turned the rest of the backyard into a nice retreat by using the driveway concrete that we were replacing to make a casual patio and walkway. (Reuse of existing materials meant a cost savings as well as great recycling that resulted in a beautiful backyard!) Arleen also used a landscape contractor named Abelino and he and his staff are hardworking, do a good job and leave the area neat at the end of the day. In addition to preparing the yard, handling the irrigation installation, planting and lighting, he and his workers also did an outstanding job on some brick work that was required. They carefully matched existing brick so you cannot tell which is the old and which is the new brick. **★★★★★ — Amir nissanov, Oct. 2017** > Arleen is exceptional in her knowledge of plants and gardening. Shes a master of her craft! She truly enjoys what she is doing and its very obvious. **★★★★★ — Zina Josephs, Feb. 2017** > Arleen Ferrera from Satori Garden Design did an excellent job with our front lawn and parkway. We hired her based upon the recommendation of another homeowner in the neighborhood whose front lawn landscape we admired. > > Arleen was lovely to work with. She came up with a beautiful design of climate-appropriate, non-invasive plants, and recommended a gardening service to remove our existing plants and install drip irrigation (computer controlled). She also supervised their installation of the plants, mulch, decomposed granite, and a flagstone walkway. And, she fulfilled all the requirements so we could receive a landscape rebate from the City of Santa Monica. > > Because we’ve watched other drought-resistant landscapes in the neighborhood deteriorate after they were installed, we decided to pay the gardening service to come by once a month. Other than that, we don’t have to do anything but enjoy watching the plants mature. It’s been delightful, and we’re very pleased. **★★★★★ — Heide Franke, Feb. 2017** > Working with Arleen at Satori Garden Design was a simple pleasure from beginning to end. Arleen came prepared with pad and pen ready to listen to my wishes and ideas. After a short while she offered suggestions and made some simple sketches of possibilities. It felt like a collaboration because she responded to all of my concerns. Her follow up drawings reflected our initial site visit. We made a few adjustments and agreed on a schedule for the installation. There were no delays and no budget overruns. Everything was accomplished in a highly professional manner and now my beautiful drought tolerant garden is thriving. Thank you, Arleen **★★★★★ — Mikie A, Jan. 2017** > Satori Design transformed my run of the mill San Fernando Valley front yard from a thatch-infested lawn with old-fashioned garden beds into a sprawling, modern drought tolerant beauty. I constantly get compliments from neighbors and people passing by. Arleen has a keen sense of design combined with a thorough understanding of plants and their tolerances. Anyone looking to re-landscape needs to look no further than Satori Design. **Comment from Satori Garden Design:** > Thank you so much Mikie! And I love the before and after pics:) It was a pleasure transforming your landscape and I'm sure you'll enjoy it for many years. > Best, Arleen **★★★★★ — teresaw5, Sept. 2014** > Arleen Satori was excellent to work with. She was thoughtful, thorough, and had great resources. Arleen assisted us with the re landscaping of our backyard, including putting in a new patio, fireplace and plants, all while accommodating our plans to host a wedding of 150 people in our backyard within 8 months of our retainment of her services. Her suggested design was beautiful and we are so very happy with it. Arleen was very timely, responding to emails quickly and stayed right on top of our project. She was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the project, from pavers and flagstone to laying gas lines, drought resistance plants, irrigation, fruit trees, and more. We highly recommend Arleen and Satori Garden Design. **★★★★ — karenkgar, Aug. 2014** > I hired Arleen of Satori Garden Design to design and plant for me a sustainable low-water usage back garden at my home. I was looking to transform a small backyard behind a pool and patio that had just been torn up and was a complete "blank slate." We were looking for something easy care, low water usage and looking to use as many local, native California plants as possible. > > With Arleen's guidance and attention to detail, we were able to submit garden plans to the city of Santa Monica and benefit from a $5,000 low-water usage grant that was available at the time. Not only did she take care of all the administrative details to make this happen, but she was quick, attentive and easy to work with! Highly recommend her! **★★★★★ — joedoe23, Aug. 2014** > We had a fantastic experience working with Satori Garden Design. From the brainstorming of what can be done in our garden to the installation of the plants as well as maintenance planning we felt in great hands at all times. A great plus is their knowledge of drought friendly plants' and coordination with city regulations to receive grants. **★★★★★ — carlifsg, Aug. 2014** > Satori did an excellent update of my small garden at a very reasonable rate. Arleen is incredibly knowledgeable particularly about sustainable garden options. She was thorough in reviewing my wish list and came up some terrific ideas that didn't break the bank for my small garden makeover. I have since recommended her to several friends without reservation and they too have had great experiences. **★★★★★ — kacimages, Aug. 2014** > We hired Satori Garden Design to freshen up our landscaping a couple of years ago and they were excellent! Creative, resourceful, friendly and well-organized, Satori quickly whipped our Santa Monica landscaping into show-worthy shape! We could not recommend more highly! **★★★★ — cortesejocelyn, Aug. 2014** > Arleen was thoughtful and creative in her design. She took into account water conservation, our budget, and our existing landscape. We love our new landscape! ## Selected projects - [Warm Modern Landscape for Spanish Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/warm-modern-landscape-for-spanish-home-pj-vj~5773961) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - [Modern Update](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-update-pj-vj~5746618) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - [Integrated Rain Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/integrated-rain-garden-pj-vj~5746621) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Low-water garden with re-purposed concrete patio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/low-water-garden-with-re-purposed-concrete-patio-pj-vj~291664) - Location: Santa Monica, CA - Photos: 21 - Description: This home needed some protection from heavy foot traffic AND the homeowner wanted to save water. We accomplished both things by planting a low water meadow as a lawn alternative and surrounded by berms of succulents. An overflow fountain adds ambiance to the side yard with "Wooly Pockets" on the wall. In the back we re-purposed an old concrete patio, by cutting it up, staining it and re-setting in sand, making it permeable and gorgeous. - [Santa Monica Front with Stone Steps](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/santa-monica-front-with-stone-steps-pj-vj~2167890) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 - Description: Brand new garden for Spanish style home. Stacked stone steps help to make sloping front yard more useable. Drought tolerant plantings. - [Spanish Colonial Revival](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/spanish-colonial-revival-pj-vj~429330) - Location: Santa Monica, CA - Photos: 24 - Description: A lovely old spanish house and complementary landscape full of California native plants, edibles and Mediterranean plants. Old Spanish tile on stairs and pool, large pergola, outdoor fireplace and huge outdoor kitchen for entertaining. - [Habitat Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/habitat-garden-pj-vj~310482) - Location: Santa Monica, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: This property had a large backyard that had been ignored for years. We re-purposed the existing concrete, designed a new patio for outdoor seating, built steps up the slope and leveled off the upper area to create a beautiful habitat garden featuring a circular DG pathway, California native plants and fruit trees. - [Backyard Oasis](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-oasis-pj-vj~427033) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 - Description: A backyard of old tired turf and a concrete basketball court gave way to a thoughtful planting of succulents and California native plants, new paved patio design, wall fountain, outdoor kitchen, circulating path of broken concrete and fire bowl. The water savings have been tremendous. - [Sunny Encino Yard and Driveway](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sunny-encino-yard-and-driveway-pj-vj~2266195) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 13 - [Formal Mediterranean](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/formal-mediterranean-pj-vj~5746639) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Bermed front yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bermed-front-yard-pj-vj~2167905) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - [From Lawn to Living Space](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/from-lawn-to-living-space-pj-vj~5746624) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Natural Front Yard for Spanish Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/natural-front-yard-for-spanish-home-pj-vj~310487) - Location: Santa Monica, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: A traditional turf lawn was taken in a more natural, beautiful direction for this 1920's Spanish home. The client loves hiking in the nearby mountains and wanted some of the sights, sounds and smells from her hikes. We designed a DG pathway through the garden planted primarily with California native plants and gave the brick walkway and DG pathway an informal, natural shape. - [Family Friendly Backyard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/family-friendly-backyard-pj-vj~429324) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: This back yard was all lawn and dominated by a play structure. A flagstone patio, fire feature and pergola were installed off the guest house. Old pavers were re-purposed to create an alternative path to the new patio and seating area. A large urn fountain serves as a water feature and focal point. The old turf lawn was replaced with a native bentgrass (Agrostis palens) which requires less water and maintenance, and plantings consist of low water California native plants and Mediterranean plants… - [Shady Poolside](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shady-poolside-pj-vj~5746641) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Habitat Oasis](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/habitat-oasis-pj-vj~5746634) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [Warm Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/warm-contemporary-pj-vj~5746627) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Traditional Home - Garden Refurbish](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/traditional-home-garden-refurbish-pj-vj~427045) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: We gave this garden a complete renovation; it needed to be refurbished everywhere. A traditional front yard is edged with low water, Mediterranean plants, Lavender and Westringia. A trash enclosure was built along the driveway. The more informal shape of the pool and surrounding plantings of the back yard allowed us to play with different foliage textures and colors, for example, the fine textured Carex contrasts nicely with the boldly colored Geranium 'Vancouver Centennial'. An old under-utiliz… - [Sunny Deck and Tiny Paths](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sunny-deck-and-tiny-paths-pj-vj~5746632) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [Hollywood Hills Back Yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hollywood-hills-back-yard-pj-vj~2167876) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 [See all 20 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/satori-garden-design-pfvwus-pf~436443178) ## Ideabooks - [contractors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/115196492/list/contractors) — 2 ideas - [Satori Garden Design's Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/42281657/list/satori-garden-design-s-ideas) — 10 ideas - [garden styles](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26980326/list/garden-styles) — 20 ideas - [garden details](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26980524/list/garden-details) — 20 ideas - [hardscape](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5515220/list/hardscape) — 6 ideas - [fire pits & outdoor fire places](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26980396/list/fire-pits-outdoor-fire-places) — 6 ideas - [edibles](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26980405/list/edibles) — 3 ideas - [pathways and transitions](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26980417/list/pathways-and-transitions) — 3 ideas - [spectacular plants and plant combinations](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4783095/list/spectacular-plants-and-plant-combinations) — 3 ideas - [green / decorative walls](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26980437/list/green-decorative-walls) — 2 ideas - [light in the garden](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26980432/list/light-in-the-garden) — 1 idea - [outdoor seating](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4151772/list/outdoor-seating) — 1 idea - [water in the garden](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26980315/list/water-in-the-garden) — 13 ideas [See all 13 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/satoridesigns) ## Community Q&A **Q: Gorgeous work!** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Thank you:) **Q: Names of plants** *(in Photo Questions)* Hello! I'm considering this photo for a Houzz article. Can you give me the botanical names for primary plants in this photo? Thanks much, Debbie Ballentine, http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/debbieballentine A: In that patio section they aren't native but pretty much the whole upper level is....Mimulus species, Verbena liacina 'De La Mina', Salvia clevelandii 'Winifred Gilman', Leymus 'Canyon Prince', Monardella villosa, Ceanothus, Arctostaphylos, etc.... **Q: Aeonium variety, center right?** *(in Photo Questions)* Hi, I just discovered your beautiful designs,, it's really inspiring me as I redesign my backyard. I'm looking for an echeveria or aeonium to use under my olive trees (dry shade, San Diego), the succulent in this photo looks perfect. Thanks! A: Hi - yes that's a very happy Aeonium 'Mint Saucer' in the photo. It would be a good choice for you. **Q: Does the bentgrass hold up to kid play?** *(in Photo Questions)* Hi, what type of bentgrass did you use and will it hold up to lots of kids play? A: I would say that the Agrostis pallens holds up to light to moderate wear. Even the toughest lawn struggles with continued play on it. **Q: Is the concrete on a sand or mortar base? Motar between concrete?** *(in Photo Questions)* A good economical hard scape A: The broken concrete is installed into the decomposed granite making it a permeable but still durable hardscape:) **Q: Can you tell me more about this repurposed patio?** *(in Photo Questions)* Love this! Perhaps you can advise what you used and where I can get it? A: It was such a fun project, the client and I both had a similar vision for the space and we were both willing to get our hands dirty pulling it all together. It reminds me of a cool toned Rothko painting. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-25.*