Snapshot

Have a peek over the fence at some inspirational outdoor areas from around the world

- Cassie Haywood

AMONG THE TREETOPS

The outdoor areas and garden were being modernized as part of an overall update to a home built in 1957 that hadn’t been changed since then. Sophistication and a minimalist color palette were key factors in the new aesthetic, as well as being appropriate to the site. Mature redwoods were relocated from the upper bank to the edges of the property to open up the land to sunlight and provide valuable screening. The trellis-shaded outdoor kitchen and firepit living were unconventionally placed near the house entry, with easy access to the indoor kitchen. Drought-tolerant plants fill the landscape with texture and movement, alongside natural stone walls and paving for an elegant touch. The lower level of the property follows the natural inclination of the site and is refreshed with a sleek pool and hardwood deck that can enjoy the surrounding oak trees. Photography by Marion Brenner. thornela.com

SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED