RED LAVA ROCK USED AS MULCH

 When you are designing a space you have to consider all aspects of the project.  What is existing, desired and how to connect both cohesively.  In this Fountain Valley project I did just that.  

The direction was clear and to the point.  Expand the planting area, but keep most of the grass.  Use drought tolerant plants and make the space look visually appealing.  I did this but creating a curve that would extend the planting space using a mixture of California native plants and some Aenoiums.  

The decorative boulders are called red cresta form South West Boulder and Stone.  The mulch used is red lava rock that really adds a little something something to the project.  

Overall I am really pleased with how this project turned out.  This video details the installation.  

The plants I used were:  

• Salvia clevelandii - Cleveland Sage
• Hesperaloe parvilora - Red Yucca
• Trichostema lanatum - Woolly Blue Curls
• Strelitzia reginae - Bird Of Paradise
• Festuca 'Siskyou Blue' - Siskyou Blue Fescue
• Calylophus hartwegii - Sundrops
• Aeonium

POURED IN PLACE CONCRETE BACKYARD INSTALL

During this pandemic, I feel lucky to have work.  Grateful to be able to do what I love.  So when I was contacted by a lovely couple in Corona Del Mar to renovate their backyard, I will in.  They did not want to keep anything other than a few plants and wanted a space to entertain outdoor and roast some marshmallows.  

I began this project much like any by measuring the site, creating a site plan and taking analysis of the site.  Most of the site is full son with a few shady spots.  The existing concrete patio was not working for the owners and needed to be redone.  A space to have a fire pit was requested and the owners wanted a drought tolerant plant palette.  

I continued by designing two options to show what is possible for the space.  From there the client selected a design that was better suited for their needs.  Then I created detailed drawings that two contractors bid off of.  

This video depicts the process of installation.  I will post another video of what the project looks like in the evening.  

NEW CONTENT AND SOME CHANGES

Over the course of the last many months I have been (thankfully) overloaded with designing gardens that are partaking in the turf rebate.  I literally found myself working on enough designs that I did not have enough time or energy to do anything else.  Then covid-19 happened and making videos/posts became less important.  In fact I only made one in May.

These times have been emotionally a thing to deal with and my new normal as I new it was not longer the same.  The coffee shop I used to go to daily was a place that could no longer sit at.  My favorite Persian restaurant temporarily closed.  The worse however, was when I could no longer hug my mother.  Since mid March I have not even touched her.  This is weird but that being said, I am willing to do whatever it takes to speed the eradication of this madness.  My new normal involves a mask that I proudly wear.  What ever it takes to fight this bitch, I am in.

That being said I don't want to neglect this space or my YouTube channel.  I want to still produce more content.  So in the next coming weeks I am going to make some videos and posts about how I have been running my business during this time etc.  I also want to do an updated house tour and since I last uploaded my patio refresh video, I have added more plants and things.

The picture you see on this post is me wearing the one accessory that I never thought I would have to wear on the daily, but here we are.  Whatever it takes to eradicate this bitch!

Stay tuned...