The key-shaped pool for this Woodland Hills, Calif., residence is plastered with Pebble Tec, and faced with Waterline glass tile from Lightstreams. The pool deck is flagstone, which is reiterated to cap the smooth stucco finish brick seat wall. The custom benches are 7-ft. long, designed not only for sitting but for lying down when the impulse arises.
Photo: Ketti Kupper

This property in Woodland Hills, Calif., a San Fernando Valley neighborhood northwest of Los Angeles that borders the Santa Monica Mountains, went from a "typical' tract home to a "mystical' retreat. The impact of the new landscape also set in motion a chain of uplifting makeovers inside the home.

The family has a deep appreciation for nature and wanted a garden to support native habitat and attract birds and butterflies. The natural warmth and comfort of grasses and a native landscape in this garden was inspired by terrain in nearby Calabasas, and local vineyards in the adjacent Santa Monica Mountains.

The DG path here terminates at an overlook for views of the San Fernando Valley below, the site's back and side gardens and the hillside slope across the street. This peaceful nook was the perfect spot for a custom curved redwood bench. This little corner of "Eden" offers kumquats fresh from the tree, with plantings of flax lilies, blue Festuca grass, Thymus, Juncus (rushes) and Abelia.
Photo: Ketti Kupper

Construction began with Contreras Landscape removing massive amounts of heavy concrete structures from the past owners: brick planters, fencing and more. The demolition and hauling was extensive. The property's ivy and water-thirsty lawns did not reflect the new homeowner's values, so it was all removed. The lawn was replaced with a no-mow meadow and drought tolerant plants, and underground storage for rainwater harvested was created on both sides of the house. The many new trees added develop lots of shade. The exterior was given an uplift too: new lights; trimming of a fake buttress; adding a small attached pergola over the garage; and rebuilding the wrap-around corner serving counter.

The original plan was to redo the east garden and develop the project in stages. However, shortly after work began, a massive ficus root infestation of the drains that extended to the pool and pool deck was discovered. At that point, the project took a turn toward a full landscape makeover. The partially rotten back redwood deck had to be removed, although the solid pieces of redwood were repurposed for benches, gates and fencing.

This colorful, peaceful DG path in the east garden winds through truly lush plantings of Carex pansa, sedum "Autumn Joy', Miscanthus sinensus "Morning Light', Dianella "Silver Streak', Stachys and Leymus "Canyon Prince'. Lightweight module catchment crates for rainwater storage are under this area of the east garden.
Photo: Ashley Elizabeth Ford

The property has a great forest feeling, with the sound of the wind in the trees at the back of the slope and hawks soaring above. And yet the only place to take in that energy was the back deck. Once the entire property was brought into the design scope, valuable poolside space was annexed to make a couple long benches from which to take in the fabulous corner view by simply adding short retaining walls across the back slope.

One corner was a perfect place for a custom curved bench from which to view the San Fernando Valley below, the back and side gardens on site and the hillside slope across the street. The empty swimming pool was used to soak the redwood boards so that they would be pliable for the curved bench back.The clients had the great idea for a two-way double bench with sides that could be lifted to face the pool or the conversation area. They also wanted blue–colored accents for fire pit and elsewhere. The beautiful Lightstreams glass tile was such an attractive addition to the pool that it was carried over to the counter top, bench tabletops and fire pit table. The strips of glass tile were custom made for the project, which required about a three-month wait to get the desired design.

Ketti Kupper wanted a less obtrusive seating structure for the fire pit and decided to sink it into the landscape with a yin-yang shape that allowed access from each side. The top of the bench back is only 14" above ground level with flagstone edges ground smooth at the seat back and across the front of the bench seats to ensure their comfort.

Ketti Kupper, MFA, wanted a less obtrusive seating structure for the fire pit and decided to sink it into the landscape with a yin-yang shape that allowed access from each side. The top of the bench back is 14-inches above ground level with flagstone edges ground smooth at the seat back and across the front of the bench seats to ensure comfort. The blue glass tile motif is also present in the fire pit. An Arabian lilac shrub (Vitex trifolia "Purpurea') borders the redwood fence.
Photo: Ketti Kupper

The switchback trail, flanked by an array of small trees, cools the west facing garden and makes the space seem much larger that its former version as a brick-laced concrete patio and lawn. The meandering DG path adds wonder and romance to what was previously a boring, hot side garden corridor. An easy access flagstone path across that trail is not real apparent and yet it provides a quick direct course to the gate or trash enclosure. The client's gargoyle got a new perch and great bird-watching view near the new Chinese elm, laden with bird feeders and underplanted with tall grasses.

A retaining wall wrapping around the southeast corner repeats the aesthetic of other walls and the fire pit, while providing more places to sit. Most importantly it allowed more garden floor and an overall larger space once the slope was cut (another great idea from the clients). Collaboratively work at its best.

About the Designer
Ketti Kupper, MFA, artist, designer, philosopher and educator resides in Los Angeles, where she is the principal designer and owner of Conscious Living Landscapes, and the designer of the "Conscious Life' line of jewelry "based on plant inspirations and personal talismans.