These three images serve as a mood board for our Los Angeles Redesign. Incorporating nature back into Los Angeles was at the fore-front of our redesign. The top image is from Avatar the Last Airbender, called the Banyan-Grove Tree. This tree drove our figurative narrative concept of "roots" that connect the entire 1x1 mile square we were tasked to redesign. In the show, the banyan tree expands its roots all across the swap to plant more trees. The last two images serve as a visual aid for the "Routes to Roots" redesign. Lots of trees with expansive roots Narrative: Many years ago, a vast tree once enchanted the plains of Los Angeles. Scientists could not track the tree's age, deeming it immortal due to its many deeply ingrained and expansive roots across the city. To this day, scientists are still uncertain about the tree's origin. Its roots and lush branches sprawled anywhere it could, engulfing anything in its path. The tree had unique properties; anyone who touched the tree's foundations could communicate with another person a mile away and, on special occasions, grant auspicious fortunes. The city worshiped this magical tree because it was the center of all life. Or so it was. The discovery of the tree's healing sap quickly drove people mad, and in a frenzy, people began to chop at the tree. The growth of filmmaking and Hollywood attracted many people to LA because of the great weather and diverse landscape. Oil was discovered near the tree shortly after. Finally, oil production was the tipping point, and these three factors led to the demise of the immortal tree. By 1950, the vast tree had no longer enchanted the city. Nowadays, problems with constant traffic, heavy air pollution, and past effects of redlining have all repelled the potential residents of the territory. Gridding lurks within the city, unconsciously controlling the movement of people. The severe health risks from these problems and the water scarcity and well-being are making researchers rethink the city's future. Due to this, the government tasks architects from all over the country to redesign Los Angeles, but it has to relate to the once immortal tree. At the same time, they are providing solutions to these five issues: redlining, heat severity, accessibility, open spaces, and lastly, preserving essential landmarks and bringing back the city's roots while still housing the population. Years later, a team of architects pitched their 200-year redesign, reimagining the superfuture of Los Angeles. The mission will be titled "From Routes to Roots". Here's what they pitched:

This immersive water feature experience is like nothing we’ve ever seen or lit before! This large water feature circumstance is at least 40 feet wide with multiple waterfalls and viewing vignettes. Each sitting area provides a different experience. Some areas are purposefully darker and more intimate than others. You can walk from the patio area to the firepit, situated in the back corner. Then from the sitting area and back to the patio all while enjoying this beautiful experience. Never fearing that you'll fall in! During their evening consultation, the homeowners were greatly involved. They even chose specific fixtures. With our design guidance, we included various color tones for high impact and minimal light glare. We used multiple uplights, path lights and submersible lights in a mixture of 2700 K (Kelvin). We also used the Sunset tone in the water feature to create a waterscape that was relaxing. That's the beauty of hiring Northwest Outdoor Lighting. You can choose how involved you want to be. Our designers are flexible! We know we'll select the best products based on function and aesthetics. But having homeowners get involved in the design process means you'll love it that much more! The extensive backyard lawn and trees were also lit with flush in-grade well lights. This makes mowing and lawn care so much easier. Highlighting the tall evergreens creates a safe environment for when the puppies need to go out at night. No scary animals are lurking in dark corners now. Path lights have been added to all the walkways. After having the water feature unlit for years, the water feature has now become the homeowner’s pride and joy!

It is sometimes a surprise what beauty can lurk under the surface of a room. A client with a 1970s kitchen and eat-in area cut up by an unwieldy peninsula was desperate for it to reflect her love of all things English-and-French-Manor-Home. Working closely with my client, we removed the peninsula in favor of a lovely free-standing island that we painted a shade of French Blue. This is topped with Old World sink hardware (note the ceramic HOT and COLD medallions on the faucets!) and a gorgeous marble counter with a very special edge profile that evokes an antique French Boulangerie counter from the 1910s. Pendants with patinaed metal shades over the island further the charming Old World feel. Handmade white and blue tiles laid in a quilted diamond pattern cover the backsplash, and the remainder of the cabinetry at the perimeter is in a warm cream tone. The eat-in near the fireplace got a cozy treatment with custom seat cushions and window seat bench cushions in a classic blue-and-white Toile de Jouy matching the island stools. The nearby living room got a similar treatment. We removed dark wood paneling and dark carpeting in favor of a light sky blue wall and lighter wood flooring. A new rug with the appearance of an heirloom, a new grand-scaled sofa, and some of my client’s precious antiques helped take the room from 70s rec room to English Sitting Room. Photo: Bernardo Grijalva

This immersive water feature experience is like nothing we’ve ever seen or lit before! This large water feature circumstance is at least 40 feet wide with multiple waterfalls and viewing vignettes. Each sitting area provides a different experience. Some areas are purposefully darker and more intimate than others. You can walk from the patio area to the firepit, situated in the back corner. Then from the sitting area and back to the patio all while enjoying this beautiful experience. Never fearing that you'll fall in! During their evening consultation, the homeowners were greatly involved. They even chose specific fixtures. With our design guidance, we included various color tones for high impact and minimal light glare. We used multiple uplights, path lights and submersible lights in a mixture of 2700 K (Kelvin). We also used the Sunset tone in the water feature to create a waterscape that was relaxing. That's the beauty of hiring Northwest Outdoor Lighting. You can choose how involved you want to be. Our designers are flexible! We know we'll select the best products based on function and aesthetics. But having homeowners get involved in the design process means you'll love it that much more! The extensive backyard lawn and trees were also lit with flush in-grade well lights. This makes mowing and lawn care so much easier. Highlighting the tall evergreens creates a safe environment for when the puppies need to go out at night. No scary animals are lurking in dark corners now. Path lights have been added to all the walkways. After having the water feature unlit for years, the water feature has now become the homeowner’s pride and joy!

Wallpaper by J&V Digital. Available exclusively at NewWall.com | A kaleidoscope of ferns with plenty of depth, enough to wonder what lurks behind them. This mural is a jungle of rich colour: in green, merlot, teal and smoky quartz. Printed on JanVel substrate.

Above the Garage lurks a beautiful home office for Mom & Dad!....
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