A mid-century inspired backyard resort creates ideal spaces for entertaining

Palm Springs resorts and custom homes inspired this complete transformation, bringing breeze block, dynamic lighting, sculptural plants and new living spaces to what was a humdrum back yard. The new landscape is the perfect place to entertain with mid-century modern style in luxurious spaces bounded by luminous walls, colorful plants and plenty of places to relax.

 

Terraced planters and patios replaced an unusable sloped lawn, new structures brought much needed shade in Sacramento's hot climate, and the a new plant brought a dynamic range of contrasts of form and color. The owner's agave collection moved into the new landscape, filled out with flowering succulents. A sloping lawn becomes a stage for parties, with a shaded bosque of trees nearby where visitors can retreat into the shade.

Night transforms everything. An F/X dynamic lighting system allows custom moods. Summer party? Click. Deep blues, reds, magenta. Very mid-century modern! The system can cycle through colors, for even more animation. The fire pit and spa area, enclosed by breeze block walls, works especially well for this - especially in the blue spectrum where people at the fire pit glow with warm light, surrounded by deep blues.

There are environmental benefits too - the plants use much less water than the previous landscape, being based on a desert plant palette.


The upcoming Custom Residential Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. This project was not chosen for a Feature in the issue, but we at LandscapeArchitect.com thought the project deserved to be showcased online . . .

To have your project featured in LASN or on LandscapeArchitect.com please email KBennett@landscapearchitect.com