Anyone thirsty? Photo x Jane Beiles Photography
Living room photo in New York

Never go thirsty when accessorizing again!
Example of a closet design in St Louis

This one was about color. Red and yellow hibiscus, lantana, ice plant, and star jasmine vines climbing in — all set against fresh cinnamon brown granite out front and Apache Brown in back. We pulled 760 square feet of thirsty turf for synthetic grass, and built a low stuccoed block wall to tuck the pool equipment out of sight. Same yard, completely different feeling.

To create this landscape overlooking the Pacific Ocean just south of Santa Barbara, we terraced what was formerly a long, sloping, and water-thirsty grass lawn and planted the layers with drought-tolerant native plants. Dry-stacked stone retaining walls with integrated drainage add structural stability, and two levels of flagstone patio enable the owners to take full advantage of the balmy Mediterranean climate zone and ocean views. Pat Brodie Landscape Design Kurt Jordan Photography

Inspiration for a rustic kitchen remodel in Other

Large, sloped grass area - expansive, water thirsty and boring...
Inspiration for a rustic landscaping in Los Angeles.

Drought-tolerant plants replace a thirsty front lawn.
This is an example of a mid-sized drought-tolerant and full sun front yard mulch landscaping in San Francisco for summer.

This park & ride site was a water thirsty landscape that needed a renovation. UTA asked the designer to implement a plan for a water wise landscape. Rick Laughlin

This park & ride site was a water thirsty landscape that needed a renovation. UTA asked the designer to implement a plan for a water wise landscape. Rick Laughlin

The view from the front door: Homeowners wanted to cut down their soaring water bill by replacing water-thirsty lawns with a drought tolerant landscape. Turf surrounding their large koi ponds was replaced by agave and aloes, river rock and decomposed granite paths to create a spa-like environment.

This very large corner site was shrouded in tired and thirsty conventional lawn. Really a bland, uninteresting monoculture—impossible to maintain especially in light of our dwindling resources and our growing understanding about sustainable practices. We chose to approach this project not with the idea that existing lawn is bad, but with respect for what lawn has historically represented: a socially connective tissue. Instead of conventional grass requiring endlessly large amounts of water, chemicals and mowing, this lawn conversion shifts to a naturalistic native meadow mix splashed with wildflowers and drought tolerant native shrubs. It was the clients’ desire to be wrapped by a garden attracting native pollinators and beneficial insects. A wildlife photographer, they wanted the opportunity to open windows and doors and feel immediately connected to a coastal native environment. The handsome new stone walls, stairs and massive boulders became the structural framework containing the loose, coastal sage scrub plant community, holding the landscape together during the dormant months. As we continue to grow our acceptance of and appreciation for climate appropriate California gardens, and embrace the paradigm shift, let us graciously bid adieu to our home’s unsustainable velvet robe.

This very large corner site was shrouded in tired and thirsty conventional lawn. Really a bland, uninteresting monoculture—impossible to maintain especially in light of our dwindling resources and our growing understanding about sustainable practices. We chose to approach this project not with the idea that existing lawn is bad, but with respect for what lawn has historically represented: a socially connective tissue. Instead of conventional grass requiring endlessly large amounts of water, chemicals and mowing, this lawn conversion shifts to a naturalistic native meadow mix splashed with wildflowers and drought tolerant native shrubs. It was the clients’ desire to be wrapped by a garden attracting native pollinators and beneficial insects. A wildlife photographer, they wanted the opportunity to open windows and doors and feel immediately connected to a coastal native environment. The handsome new stone walls, stairs and massive boulders became the structural framework containing the loose, coastal sage scrub plant community, holding the landscape together during the dormant months. As we continue to grow our acceptance of and appreciation for climate appropriate California gardens, and embrace the paradigm shift, let us graciously bid adieu to our home’s unsustainable velvet robe.

This very large corner site was shrouded in tired and thirsty conventional lawn. Really a bland, uninteresting monoculture—impossible to maintain especially in light of our dwindling resources and our growing understanding about sustainable practices. We chose to approach this project not with the idea that existing lawn is bad, but with respect for what lawn has historically represented: a socially connective tissue. Instead of conventional grass requiring endlessly large amounts of water, chemicals and mowing, this lawn conversion shifts to a naturalistic native meadow mix splashed with wildflowers and drought tolerant native shrubs. It was the clients’ desire to be wrapped by a garden attracting native pollinators and beneficial insects. A wildlife photographer, they wanted the opportunity to open windows and doors and feel immediately connected to a coastal native environment. The handsome new stone walls, stairs and massive boulders became the structural framework containing the loose, coastal sage scrub plant community, holding the landscape together during the dormant months. As we continue to grow our acceptance of and appreciation for climate appropriate California gardens, and embrace the paradigm shift, let us graciously bid adieu to our home’s unsustainable velvet robe.

This very large corner site was shrouded in tired and thirsty conventional lawn. Really a bland, uninteresting monoculture—impossible to maintain especially in light of our dwindling resources and our growing understanding about sustainable practices. We chose to approach this project not with the idea that existing lawn is bad, but with respect for what lawn has historically represented: a socially connective tissue. Instead of conventional grass requiring endlessly large amounts of water, chemicals and mowing, this lawn conversion shifts to a naturalistic native meadow mix splashed with wildflowers and drought tolerant native shrubs. It was the clients’ desire to be wrapped by a garden attracting native pollinators and beneficial insects. A wildlife photographer, they wanted the opportunity to open windows and doors and feel immediately connected to a coastal native environment. The handsome new stone walls, stairs and massive boulders became the structural framework containing the loose, coastal sage scrub plant community, holding the landscape together during the dormant months. As we continue to grow our acceptance of and appreciation for climate appropriate California gardens, and embrace the paradigm shift, let us graciously bid adieu to our home’s unsustainable velvet robe.

This custom home is an elegant paradise. It boasts an effortless flow from the open kitchen and lounge areas, to the outdoor pool and back again. And the prominently placed wet bar is always there at your disposal if you get thirsty along the way. These empty nesters love to cook, socialize, and enjoy the good life, and their meticulous attention to detail meant that every nook and corner fits perfectly into the big picture. High-end finishes and light fixtures are just the thing to accompany a vaulted living room and customized cabinetry in every room. Even the beloved family dog was taken into consideration and now has his own dedicated dog wash in the laundry room. The result is nothing short of spectacular, and we might be feeling just a little jealous that we didn’t get to keep this home for ourselves at the end of the project.

This custom home is an elegant paradise. It boasts an effortless flow from the open kitchen and lounge areas, to the outdoor pool and back again. And the prominently placed wet bar is always there at your disposal if you get thirsty along the way. These empty nesters love to cook, socialize, and enjoy the good life, and their meticulous attention to detail meant that every nook and corner fits perfectly into the big picture. High-end finishes and light fixtures are just the thing to accompany a vaulted living room and customized cabinetry in every room. Even the beloved family dog was taken into consideration and now has his own dedicated dog wash in the laundry room. The result is nothing short of spectacular, and we might be feeling just a little jealous that we didn’t get to keep this home for ourselves at the end of the project.

This custom home is an elegant paradise. It boasts an effortless flow from the open kitchen and lounge areas, to the outdoor pool and back again. And the prominently placed wet bar is always there at your disposal if you get thirsty along the way. These empty nesters love to cook, socialize, and enjoy the good life, and their meticulous attention to detail meant that every nook and corner fits perfectly into the big picture. High-end finishes and light fixtures are just the thing to accompany a vaulted living room and customized cabinetry in every room. Even the beloved family dog was taken into consideration and now has his own dedicated dog wash in the laundry room. The result is nothing short of spectacular, and we might be feeling just a little jealous that we didn’t get to keep this home for ourselves at the end of the project.

This custom home is an elegant paradise. It boasts an effortless flow from the open kitchen and lounge areas, to the outdoor pool and back again. And the prominently placed wet bar is always there at your disposal if you get thirsty along the way. These empty nesters love to cook, socialize, and enjoy the good life, and their meticulous attention to detail meant that every nook and corner fits perfectly into the big picture. High-end finishes and light fixtures are just the thing to accompany a vaulted living room and customized cabinetry in every room. Even the beloved family dog was taken into consideration and now has his own dedicated dog wash in the laundry room. The result is nothing short of spectacular, and we might be feeling just a little jealous that we didn’t get to keep this home for ourselves at the end of the project.

This bar was designed to bring our clients yacht into their home, incorporating movement in the tiles, the chrome accents and the blue of the ocean, created a contemporary space where they can watch all the sports games they want, while not going thirsty!