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As the drawing indicates, there is the fairly large front yard of this Carmel landscape, a middle area just outside the front door, and a narrow strip leading to the rear, which is also quite narrow. The landscape design plan that was developed was intended to maximize use without sacrificing the inherent possibilities for a beautiful garden.

The most spacious and private area for outdoor living then was the middle area. This is where the brick walk which winds through the front landscape leads to, through a rose covered arbor. We chose to keep the arbor and lattice fence, primarily because they were in reasonably good shape and had some lovely roses

growing on them while there was very little else attractive during this remodeling of the home and construction of the landscape.

There was an ancient olive tree growing in this area and this drove the garden design for this area.

I built a brick patio in a circular shape around the tree, which is close to the side property line, and the branches were high enough to allow a table and chairs to be placed under it, providing light shade without hindering movement.

 

The walkway enters through the arbor and dovetails into the patio, creating planting areas on both sides. This creates a more

welcoming environment as the visitor enters the patio area. The image below is looking from the rose arbor.

 

As was done in the front gardens, stone was built into the brick. Repeating design details such as this helps unify an environment, however subtly. The greater the sense of unity that is created , the more diversity that can be incorporated, making a richer, more complex and satisfying landscape.

Curves are to be found throughout this landscape, as are brick and stone, and there is an abundance of quite varied plantings, as well as ornament.

You can just see in the image above that a path leads off the patio, past a bench and meanders along the side of the house, also strongly planted.

This leads to the rear of the property. This area was not likely to get much use unless something was done to make it particularly inviting, and this would have been a shame as the area in the back right corner catches the morning sun for several hours.

Most properties have unused portions which could become an enjoyable part of the entire garden experience.

So in the back right (Northeast) corner I built a brick and stone mosaic to which the path leads, supported by a low wall.

 

Again, repeating the wall, and again, in curvy fashion helps unify the landscape.

The seating area is comprised of about 2,000 pieces of brick and stone, chipped into shape with the use of a brick hammer.

The pattern is created by creating three 'streams' which flow together in various areas, creating 'eddies' or rosettes.

This little vignette provides the owners the enjoyment of ornament in a naturally attractive place (because of the morning sun), which might otherwise have gone unused.

It is a destination area, one of the most important concepts in landscape design and garden creation.

 

 

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