The Big Sur Retreat

This project was designed for a couple who have lived on both ends of the spectrum - from Los Angeles to New York to the Bay Area.

It was a true ground-zero project, one that required bringing a vision to life while also curating the vision itself. When you begin with a blank slate, every decision becomes part of defining what the space will ultimately become.

The first decision that needed to be made was a big one: pool or no pool?

It’s a genuine question. How much is it actually going to be used? What kind of maintenance is it going to require? Is there enough sun exposure to make it worth it?

But when you’re coming from New York, of course you want a pool. Pool and California just go together.

So, naturally, the answer was yes.

From there, the vision began to take shape. I wanted to create a space that felt elevated and offered the couple their own private retreat: an outdoor kitchen, a pool, and places to lounge. Creating a getaway that is actually your home is the goal.

Especially in the Bay Area, getting around can be hectic and tiresome. Being able to avoid some of that and relax in your own space is a real treasure.

And what area is more relaxing than Big Sur? The epitome of tuning in and turning off.

That feeling became the inspiration for the garden.

The clients were particular about having lavender and succulents, so I incorporated them throughout the pool area. Smelling the lavender as you float through the water is a surreal experience.

But the feeling of retreat was only part of the goal. Just as importantly, the garden needed to be water-conscious and not require a lot of hands-on, fine-detail gardening maintenance.

Don’t get me wrong. I love high-maintenance gardens. But not everyone wants to devote the resources to maintaining one, and there are ways to create a beautiful space without it.

Again, my goal is to create spaces that enhance restorative healing, not another chore.

The Pool

To give the pool a “natural pool” feeling, we planted around the entire perimeter, leaving only one small opening for a stepping-stone path.

If this home had children using the pool regularly, I likely would not have gone with this design. But for this couple, the planting around the perimeter creates a sunken garden effect that makes the pool feel more integrated into the landscape.

Lavender, Echeveria, Agave, and Cape Rush were selected for their drought-tolerant qualities while also honoring the clients’ request for succulents and lavender. Pittosporum tenuifolium was chosen to create a wall that hides the pool equipment, selected for its low-water requirements and fast-growing nature.

Grasses were not part of the initial design. We had originally intended to have a patio go right up to the edge of the pool. But upon seeing it come together, I decided to add a combination of Carex and Sesleria.

I typically don’t love using a lot of grasses because they can get “rat’s nest” looking, and they need to be cut back if you want to keep them looking fresh.

But I’m so glad we used them.

They look natural, wispy, and incredibly calming.

Gathering

The entertaining area includes a deck with an outdoor kitchen that steps down to a gravel patio.

This patio area went through several iterations. It began as an extended fire-resistant wood deck, then became sod (an engineer’s request that was never going to be the final selection) then blue stone, and ultimately ended with Pami Pebble and Shadow Gray Quartz Tumbled patio stone.

I actually loved this stone. It has a perfectly subtle silvery shine to it. It feels elevated without being loud.

There are definitely some cons to Pami Pebble, as it is not an overly solid base. But the flagstone and bluestone felt a little more sterile than I wanted the atmosphere to be. It did not feel authentic to the space, and I could not let them move forward with it.

We ended up creating two curving strips of quartz patio stone. One leads toward the pool, while the other leads toward the lounge chairs.

I love the simplistic yet intentional tone it sets.

Behind the lounge chairs are three large pots with olive trees planted in them. Herbs are planted at the base of each tree: mint, oregano, and thyme. Commonly used kitchen herbs, conveniently accessible, not to mention the lovely fragrance as you lie in the lounge chairs soaking in the sun.

The rest of the backyard includes a DG patio, a Corten steel retaining wall, and other low-water plant selections, including rosemary, Echium, Pittosporum ‘Marjorie Channon’, and Little Ollie shrubs.

There is actually another corner of the property, above the Corten steel retaining wall, that still needs to be planted. A Mother’s Garden was requested there in honor and memory of the client’s late mother, with roses and other wildflower and native selections.

There is quite a bit of space left, though, and rather than adding more planting simply to fill it, I’ve been thinking about introducing the idea of a sauna. Yes, it would be a “substantial” undertaking, but I think the space would actually be used then instead of becoming the forgotten, last part of the project, especially since there are only two of them, they don’t really need another seating area. A sauna would perfectly fit the intention of the home and the lifestyle of the clients.

The Front Garden

We complemented the backyard with similar plantings in the front.

Large trees and shrubs were planted along the front property line to create a natural privacy screen, including Forsythia, Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’, Pittosporum, olive shrubs, Cercis occidentalis, and Leptospermum. A Laurus nobilis hedge at the side property line. Another drought tolerant hedge selection that doubles in utility for its herbal properties. 

Working With the Site

One challenge this entire property faced was drainage.

The soil profile here holds onto water. So some of the plant selections, lavender, for example, were going to have to be closely monitored in the beginning to make sure they weren’t being overwatered or sitting in soggy, saturated soil.

On one hand, it’s great because the soil allows for less frequent watering. But it is certainly something that constantly has to be kept in mind during the planning process and ongoing maintenance.

This project was, and continues to be, such a pleasure to work on.

The clients were amazing, and fun, and open to new ideas.

I hope their space gives them as much peace and reprieve as their patience and generosity gives to others.