The home's entertainment area includes covered porches, a built in curving bar, oversized fire pit, seatwalls, raised patio spaces and a 60-ft. pool with fire bowls. The paving is Lithocrete concrete with hidden 1/8" construction joints. The joints are small and consistent throughout and don't distract from the clean look. Large Baja Cresta Rojo boulders punctuate the paving and seatwalls.

Clients with a new home in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (pop. 3,117), a well-heeled community in San Diego County, wanted a resort-like feel to their landscape, with a strong color palette of greens, oranges and yellows. They love bold curves and contrasting textures, which we incorporated into their vast entertaining area, including covered porches, a built-in curving bar, oversized fire pit, seat walls, raised patio spaces and a 60-ft. pool with fire bowls.

The pool features an 18-inch deep-water lounge, raised spa, water slide and multiple curving infinity edges. Raising the spa and lounge makes them appear to float above the pool and water trickles over the infinity edge steps to enhance the relaxing resort-like atmosphere. The clients wanted the slide to be a fun, yet subtle feature without looking like a waterpark; it was designed short and steep and tucked between the spa and water lounge where it's barely noticeable from view. For the surfaces we chose 3/4-inch green glass tiles by Bisazza to reflect the water and add sparkle, however, their installation was challenging. The combination of the multiple steps (tiers) and curves required the horizontal tiles to be laid individually to meet the curve, however, such an installation would send the project over budget. Instead, the top tiles were substituted with two-inch tiles with bullnose edges, which limited the individual cutting and placement. The change was a success, and the contrast of colors really sets off the tiered effect and complements the stucco color on the house. The whole composition fits together beautifully; the colors, curves, and textures.The paving is Lithocrete concrete with hidden 1/8-inch construction joints. The beauty of that type of jointing system is that the joints are small and consistent throughout and don't distract from the clean look. Large Baja Cresta Rojo boulders punctuate the paving and seat walls.

Mexican feather grass covers the slope, juxtaposed with succulents (agaves, aloes and aeoniums). One of the first plantings to go in were 70 ficus nitidas installed along the property line to create a privacy screen.

The planting palette features low-water-use ornamental grasses and succulents selected to complement the colors of the house and emphasize the orange, yellow, lime green theme. A mix of textures in the plantings was achieved by contrasting soft flowing grasses (Mexican feather grass) with structured succulents (agaves, aloes and aeoniums). Bright orange Canna Tropicana, Russellia equisetiformis and Hemorcallis daylilies provide colorful blooms throughout the year. Chocolate flax reflects the bronzy metal architectural doors and windows and was paired with chartreuse Brazilian aloe for maximum impact. One of the first plantings to go in were the 70 Ficus nitidas installed along the property line to edit out views of the neighbor's house. They were installed from 15-gallon containers before construction even started, and after 18 months of growth, they had completely filled in and screened the fence. Mature trees were also craned in prior to house construction to provide access for the oversized equipment required to move those 72"-80" boxes. Species include Kentia and Canary palms, magnolias, corals and Gold Medallion trees.

Landscape architect Monica Mroz designed the curvy wrought iron gate, which was constructed by Southwind Builders. Bright orange Canna Tropicana is seen through the gate entry (right).

Construction Team
Architect, Brian Darnell with Masterwork Architects
Landscape Architect: Monica Mroz
Builder: Southwind Custom Builders
Landscape Contractor: Michael Maister
Pool Contractor: Crest Pools
Interior Design: Ray Rippey with InterSpec

The pool features an 18-inch deep-water lounge, raised spa, water slide and multiple curving infinity edges. Raising the spa and lounge makes them appear to float above the pool, with water trickling over the infinity edge steps. The slide is designed short and steep, tucked between the spa and the lounge where it's barely noticeable. Magnolia blossoms float on the water lounge.

Vendors
Boulders: KRC Rock
Specialty palms: Stu Blumer
Specimen trees: Valley Crest
Paving: Integrity Concrete
Pool Tiles: Green glass tiles by Bisazza
Landscape lighting: FX Luminaire