The challenge for Costata Landscape Design presented by this project was all about taking the disparate elements of a large and underused property and bringing them together in a cohesive whole. The landscape now flows seamlessly from street front to house, entertaining area, pool, garden and firepit precinct overlooking the local creek. The garden construction elements are softened in shape and form providing counterpoint to the dominant straight lines of the house and pool. Massed plantings below feature trees intertwine, providing contrast of foliage colour, shape and height further blurring the lines between built structure and the landscape. The firepit was located within a precinct cut into the slope of the land and set within large boulders. Placement of the boulders created negative spaces for the garden to flow into and fill. The scale of the surrounding garden anchors the firepit into the vast, open space of the paddock and creates an intimacy, as European Olives and Chinese Junipers grow to bring a sense of seclusion overlooking the creek below towering Blackbutts.

The challenge for Costata Landscape Design presented by this project was all about taking the disparate elements of a large and underused property and bringing them together in a cohesive whole. The landscape now flows seamlessly from street front to house, entertaining area, pool, garden and firepit precinct overlooking the local creek. The garden construction elements are softened in shape and form providing counterpoint to the dominant straight lines of the house and pool. Massed plantings below feature trees intertwine, providing contrast of foliage colour, shape and height further blurring the lines between built structure and the landscape. The firepit was located within a precinct cut into the slope of the land and set within large boulders. Placement of the boulders created negative spaces for the garden to flow into and fill. The scale of the surrounding garden anchors the firepit into the vast, open space of the paddock and creates an intimacy, as European Olives and Chinese Junipers grow to bring a sense of seclusion overlooking the creek below towering Blackbutts.

The challenge for Costata Landscape Design presented by this project was all about taking the disparate elements of a large and underused property and bringing them together in a cohesive whole. The landscape now flows seamlessly from street front to house, entertaining area, pool, garden and firepit precinct overlooking the local creek. The garden construction elements are softened in shape and form providing counterpoint to the dominant straight lines of the house and pool. Massed plantings below feature trees intertwine, providing contrast of foliage colour, shape and height further blurring the lines between built structure and the landscape. The firepit was located within a precinct cut into the slope of the land and set within large boulders. Placement of the boulders created negative spaces for the garden to flow into and fill. The scale of the surrounding garden anchors the firepit into the vast, open space of the paddock and creates an intimacy, as European Olives and Chinese Junipers grow to bring a sense of seclusion overlooking the creek below towering Blackbutts.

The challenge for Costata Landscape Design presented by this project was all about taking the disparate elements of a large and underused property and bringing them together in a cohesive whole. The landscape now flows seamlessly from street front to house, entertaining area, pool, garden and firepit precinct overlooking the local creek. The garden construction elements are softened in shape and form providing counterpoint to the dominant straight lines of the house and pool. Massed plantings below feature trees intertwine, providing contrast of foliage colour, shape and height further blurring the lines between built structure and the landscape. The firepit was located within a precinct cut into the slope of the land and set within large boulders. Placement of the boulders created negative spaces for the garden to flow into and fill. The scale of the surrounding garden anchors the firepit into the vast, open space of the paddock and creates an intimacy, as European Olives and Chinese Junipers grow to bring a sense of seclusion overlooking the creek below towering Blackbutts.

The challenge for Costata Landscape Design presented by this project was all about taking the disparate elements of a large and underused property and bringing them together in a cohesive whole. The landscape now flows seamlessly from street front to house, entertaining area, pool, garden and firepit precinct overlooking the local creek. The garden construction elements are softened in shape and form providing counterpoint to the dominant straight lines of the house and pool. Massed plantings below feature trees intertwine, providing contrast of foliage colour, shape and height further blurring the lines between built structure and the landscape. The firepit was located within a precinct cut into the slope of the land and set within large boulders. Placement of the boulders created negative spaces for the garden to flow into and fill. The scale of the surrounding garden anchors the firepit into the vast, open space of the paddock and creates an intimacy, as European Olives and Chinese Junipers grow to bring a sense of seclusion overlooking the creek below towering Blackbutts.

The challenge for Costata Landscape Design presented by this project was all about taking the disparate elements of a large and underused property and bringing them together in a cohesive whole. The landscape now flows seamlessly from street front to house, entertaining area, pool, garden and firepit precinct overlooking the local creek. The garden construction elements are softened in shape and form providing counterpoint to the dominant straight lines of the house and pool. Massed plantings below feature trees intertwine, providing contrast of foliage colour, shape and height further blurring the lines between built structure and the landscape. The firepit was located within a precinct cut into the slope of the land and set within large boulders. Placement of the boulders created negative spaces for the garden to flow into and fill. The scale of the surrounding garden anchors the firepit into the vast, open space of the paddock and creates an intimacy, as European Olives and Chinese Junipers grow to bring a sense of seclusion overlooking the creek below towering Blackbutts.

Photography by Stacy Zarin
Example of a huge transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in DC Metro with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Our clients requested an energy-efficient escape home on a 16-acre site in rural Elgin that would be maintenance friendly, age-in-place adaptable, and whose sculptural quality could harbor for their expressive family. With its dominant east-west axis, the maximizes control of solar gain control; its placement was carefully adjusted to allow all of the nearby trees to thrive. The standing seam roof’s pitch and azimuth provide optimal solar PV and fills a 20,000-gallon rainwater cistern. The age-in-place, step-less interior provides an expansive view at the south terrace. The cantilever of the board-formed foundation is a structurally expressive solution resolving an otherwise imposing mass. The curved prow of the north-pointing entry is a nod to local Elgin brick. A bowed and formally jubilant thermal chimney faces south for efficient passive ventilation. Photo credit: Chris Diaz General Contractor: Native (buildnative.com)

Example of a trendy kitchen design in San Francisco

Our clients requested an energy-efficient escape home on a 16-acre site in rural Elgin that would be maintenance friendly, age-in-place adaptable, and whose sculptural quality could harbor for their expressive family. With its dominant east-west axis, the maximizes control of solar gain control; its placement was carefully adjusted to allow all of the nearby trees to thrive. The standing seam roof’s pitch and azimuth provide optimal solar PV and fills a 20,000-gallon rainwater cistern. The age-in-place, step-less interior provides an expansive view at the south terrace. The cantilever of the board-formed foundation is a structurally expressive solution resolving an otherwise imposing mass. The curved prow of the north-pointing entry is a nod to local Elgin brick. A bowed and formally jubilant thermal chimney faces south for efficient passive ventilation. Photo credit: Chris Diaz General Contractor: Native (buildnative.com)

Our clients requested an energy-efficient escape home on a 16-acre site in rural Elgin that would be maintenance friendly, age-in-place adaptable, and whose sculptural quality could harbor for their expressive family. With its dominant east-west axis, the maximizes control of solar gain control; its placement was carefully adjusted to allow all of the nearby trees to thrive. The standing seam roof’s pitch and azimuth provide optimal solar PV and fills a 20,000-gallon rainwater cistern. The age-in-place, step-less interior provides an expansive view at the south terrace. The cantilever of the board-formed foundation is a structurally expressive solution resolving an otherwise imposing mass. The curved prow of the north-pointing entry is a nod to local Elgin brick. A bowed and formally jubilant thermal chimney faces south for efficient passive ventilation. Photo credit: Chris Diaz General Contractor: Native (buildnative.com)

Our clients requested an energy-efficient escape home on a 16-acre site in rural Elgin that would be maintenance friendly, age-in-place adaptable, and whose sculptural quality could harbor for their expressive family. With its dominant east-west axis, the maximizes control of solar gain control; its placement was carefully adjusted to allow all of the nearby trees to thrive. The standing seam roof’s pitch and azimuth provide optimal solar PV and fills a 20,000-gallon rainwater cistern. The age-in-place, step-less interior provides an expansive view at the south terrace. The cantilever of the board-formed foundation is a structurally expressive solution resolving an otherwise imposing mass. The curved prow of the north-pointing entry is a nod to local Elgin brick. A bowed and formally jubilant thermal chimney faces south for efficient passive ventilation. Photo credit: Chris Diaz General Contractor: Native (buildnative.com)

Our clients requested an energy-efficient escape home on a 16-acre site in rural Elgin that would be maintenance friendly, age-in-place adaptable, and whose sculptural quality could harbor for their expressive family. With its dominant east-west axis, the maximizes control of solar gain control; its placement was carefully adjusted to allow all of the nearby trees to thrive. The standing seam roof’s pitch and azimuth provide optimal solar PV and fills a 20,000-gallon rainwater cistern. The age-in-place, step-less interior provides an expansive view at the south terrace. The cantilever of the board-formed foundation is a structurally expressive solution resolving an otherwise imposing mass. The curved prow of the north-pointing entry is a nod to local Elgin brick. A bowed and formally jubilant thermal chimney faces south for efficient passive ventilation. Photo credit: Chris Diaz General Contractor: Native (buildnative.com)

Modern boy's room.
Inspiration for a mid-sized and bedroom modern kids' bedroom remodel in Dallas

Our clients requested an energy-efficient escape home on a 16-acre site in rural Elgin that would be maintenance friendly, age-in-place adaptable, and whose sculptural quality could harbor for their expressive family. With its dominant east-west axis, the maximizes control of solar gain control; its placement was carefully adjusted to allow all of the nearby trees to thrive. The standing seam roof’s pitch and azimuth provide optimal solar PV and fills a 20,000-gallon rainwater cistern. The age-in-place, step-less interior provides an expansive view at the south terrace. The cantilever of the board-formed foundation is a structurally expressive solution resolving an otherwise imposing mass. The curved prow of the north-pointing entry is a nod to local Elgin brick. A bowed and formally jubilant thermal chimney faces south for efficient passive ventilation. Photo credit: Chris Diaz General Contractor: Native (buildnative.com)

Stunning private theater with incredible performance! Professional level Dolby Atmos audio system with incredible 4K Laser projection. Seating for 21 by Cineak. Complete acoustical engineering by Paradise Theater to deliver incredible sound performance.

White and blue activate the auspicious chi of this living room and so they are the dominant colors. The pops of warm color aren't enough to weaken the blue and white activations, but they bring balance visually and energetically. We love how this painting by a local artist, @carriemeganart, captures the serene yet cheery mood of the space. We used some of our favorite fabrics for the pillows: Schumacher Chenonceau in coral, and Lotus Garden in green/blue and coral. A Williams Sonoma yellow bird vase offers a teaser of the living room from the hallway. And the yellow vase call to the yellow Schumacher "Hellene" wallpaper from the foyer. The live edge coffee table brings in a modern element, along with the English rolled arm sofas and navy lamps.

White and blue activate the auspicious chi of this living room and so they are the dominant colors. The pops of warm color aren't enough to weaken the blue and white activations, but they bring balance visually and energetically. We love how this painting by a local artist, @carriemeganart, captures the serene yet cheery mood of the space. We used some of our favorite fabrics for the pillows: Schumacher Chenonceau in coral, and Lotus Garden in green/blue and coral. A Williams Sonoma yellow bird vase offers a teaser of the living room from the hallway. And the yellow vase call to the yellow Schumacher "Hellene" wallpaper from the foyer. The live edge coffee table brings in a modern element, along with the English rolled arm sofas and navy lamps.

These clients bought a Mid-century house with a vintage landscape that left something to be desired. Both the clients as well as myself have a great appreciation for midcentury design and its clean lines but the majority of the landscapes found in Mid-century housing developments across America miss the mark when it comes to more current sensibilities. The midcentury American philosophy was that man should exert dominance over the land and that hedge trimmers and lawn mowers are mans best friends. Today more enlighten landscape designers strive to create landscapes that work with nature and not dominate it. In this project we did just that. These home owners loved the view of the mountains from their back yard in Santa Barbara, the way the warm colored sand stone boulders peak through muted greens of the Chaparral. We designed this landscape to be of its place. Sourcing local sandstone boulders like to ones found in the mountains behind the house we used then to build a low retaining wall. By breaking the sloping land into two flatter sections we are able to slow down the speed at which water evacuates the property giving it a chance to soak into the soil. This allows the landscape to work like a natural mini water shed, keeping the storm drains and then the oceans overwhelmed with polluted water and providing more water to the plants with less irrigation. When it came to the plants, the clients wanted low water color and texture. To celebrate the fact that the house is located in Santa Barbara county we wanted to incorporate the muted green tones, with pops of colorful foliage. Using a mix of course lots of California native plants and Mediterranean adapted plants we created a plant plate that is beautiful, low maintenance and flutters with native fauna such as bird, and butterflies and bees.