Venice residence parkway and front yard space
I designed an intimate garden space for this front yard on a quiet Venice walk street. The client wanted a front space design with beauty and functionality in order for client and family to enjoy physically being in front of the residence — though exposed to the public view. The client is of a particular and specific taste for any and all choices made in their outdoor space, so ongoing communication focused on meticulous ornamental horticulture selections. A constant exploration of plant possibilities throughout SoCal basin led to final selection and procurement.
I am an ongoing horticulture consultant to this client, having worked with them on multiple residential projects in Venice. Much of my time spent here is in direct communication with the client on the design and plant selections, as they oversee their own install contractors. This project still has ongoing construction and will have me back for consultation and design in the back spaces at a later date.
Location
Venice, CA
Size
4,500 ft²
Year
2021
Design mockup
With the advancement and ethical constraints to use as little water as possible in Los Angeles, the parkway plantings of tried and true ornamental grasses and the front space ornamentals chosen, once established, need an acceptable amount, or less than, irrigation per municipal guidelines and restrictions. My client is very particular about their plant materials — thus much time is patiently spent finding not only the correct species callouts, but the healthiest and best suited specimens available.
The client has a constant flow of visitors. Although the front yard design is on a walk street where neighbors and passersby can see into it, it was imperative that the resident, their family, and loved ones could also be able to physically experience the beauty of the front space, even though the occasional passerby examines and appreciates its beauty as well.
The grasses, the knotweed and the Passiflora vine quickly and rigorously naturalized giving the space a rapid richness. Smaller spaces are infinitely more challenging to design for — this space being no exception. The water feature at the front steps, the Japanese Maple, the potted Plumeria, and the dwarf Pomegranate were all chosen for their reliability at the coast plus their beautiful aesthetic when up-lit, casting shadows against the front facade — which was an intentional consideration in the design elements. The western end is screened by Grevillea ‘Moonlight’, offering an elfish refuge to sit and muse amongst the garden under the Magnolia x soulangeana. This project is ongoing in design, consultation and specialty maintenance.
Before & after
Before and after views of the front space and walkway
