Los Angeles

This property is an alluring retreat in the Hollywood Hills made up of three lots with terraces that cascade down into the canyon. The various levels offer a productive vegetable garden, a pool and cabana, a courtyard for yoga and hanging out, a fantasy play area for the kids and a rustic "grotto" with a writer's studio. Throughout the gardens are majestic native oaks, towering Aleppo pines, avocado and citrus trees along with various other fruits and berries. There are also tropical palms and California native plants of all kinds. On the edge of Griffith Park, art and nature combine into mixtures of old and new, Hollywood glamour and outdoorsy fun, cozy spots to relax and stunning views. The abundance of plants provide food, fragrance, color and habitat for every type of guest, whether on two feet or four feet or wings.

Photos by @LauraFordPhotos

Los Feliz, Los Angeles

We started designing this project in 2019, for a young family with an impractical and awkward backyard. In early 2020, we had done demolition and excavated for the new swimming pool. Then in March, 2020, COVID-19 hit and everyone was stuck at home for what we thought would be weeks but turned into many months.

Luckily, we were allowed to continue construction work under the quarantine rules, and since all of our work was taking place outside, we were able to operate as safely as possible, under the circumstances, masked up and maintaining physical distance as we moved forward. Thus, instead of living with a large, muddy pit for the rest of the year, we got the pool and backyard finished in time for summer swimming and outdoor play time so the family was not cooped up inside.

The yard now has three distinct areas, each with its own purpose: a new patio with a built-in banquette for the dining table and a cozy seating area, a compact lawn for the little ones to enjoy (two small kids and a tiny pup), and a pool for cooling off. Borrowed views of palms and giant birds-of-paradise in neighboring yards, plus bougainvillea and other bright colors, lend the space a tropical, resort vibe. Just steps out the backdoor, it was a get-away when we couldn’t actually go anywhere.

Sustainability features include: Locally-made materials (concrete pavers), a very petite lawn used by the family (not only ornamental), climate-appropriate plants and drip irrigation, automatic pool cover (to minimize evaporation and heating costs), durable materials that will last a long time. A peach tree will provide food and shade as it grows larger. Other plants attract and feed pollinators.

Los Feliz, Los Angeles

A beautiful 1930’s era Spanish Colonial home needed a more beautiful and functional landscape to fit the architecture of the house and the lifestyle of the owners. We updated the exterior spaces by looking back in time to incorporate classic period elements such as terra cotta and brightly colored glazed deco tiles that pop against the traditional white stucco of the walls. An impractical lawn was replaced with a courtyard that provides flexible space for entertaining. Furniture can be arranged and re-arranged as needed for dining or other social events. The centerpiece is an elaborate tiled mural fountain with built-in tiled benches inspired by the Alcazar in Seville, Spain and the Adamson House closer to home in Malibu.

Citrus trees along with Mediterranean and California native plants form a green perimeter that softens the edges and adds fragrance and color to the space. A small, second fountain contributes to the serene mood that greets visitors.

A project like this can only be successful with adventurous clients who aren’t afraid of making a bold statement. RTK Studios in Ojai, who design and produce gorgeous ceramic tiles, were invaluable creative partners.

Sustainability features include: removal of a thirsty lawn, climate-appropriate and native California plants that attract and feed pollinators, four new trees and drip irrigation.

Photo credit: Sarah Ford Creative (excluding “before” photos)

Los Angeles

This is an incredible property. The owner not only has extraordinary taste, but was also not afraid to take risks and try unusual things. Building this garden together was an adventure and incredibly rewarding. The location is challenging. It is near the top of a ridge in Laurel Canyon, yet the house itself is located at the bottom of a long, narrow, curved and shared driveway. There are many micro-climates and idiosyncrasies to contend with, including odd sun / shade patterns as well as cold air sinking into small, natural depressions around the site. Coyotes, deer, rabbits and gophers are frequent visitors and must be considered along with the Stella, the resident French bulldog, and the pond full of koi fish. A plant palette of native California plants, succulents and a few exotics provided form, texture and color to offset the bold architecture of the house.

Los Angeles

The Tenth Church of Christ, Scientist is on a large corner property in Brentwood. The buildings are striking, mid-20th century prominent fixtures of the neighborhood. Nearly 14,000 square feet of turf grass with some dated, miscellaneous plantings around the edges did not serve the property very well. A member of the church left a bequest to remove the thirsty lawn and replace it with a new drought-tolerant garden. The budget available allowed us to remove only half of the lawn so far. The newly installed plants were babies when they were first put in the ground and they’ve grown quickly to fill in the space with a lush, colorful and highly textural tapestry that nicely sets off the clean and stark lines of the church and adjacent reading room. The landscape is now alive with pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Photos by @LauraFordPhotos

La Cañada

Descanso Gardens in La Cañada is a revered institution and botanical garden. It’s known for it’s majestic oak trees, camellias and rose garden, among other things, like its lilac collection, fields of tulips in spring, the Sturt Haaga art gallery and a variety of seasonal events. There is always something new happening there.

Now, one of the newest things to see there is a meditation labyrinth I designed for an under-utilized section of the rose garden. I was thrilled to be chosen for this project and I loved collaborating with the staff. The large scale metal trellises were already in place and we were able to keep them and integrate them into the labyrinth design. Soon they will be covered in flowering vines, to provide shade to curved benches tucked in below, a serene place to stop and rest and reflect.

Each time I have visited the garden since the installation, I have seen people of all ages walking the labyrinth, solo or in groups. I can’t wait for the plants to grow in and bring it to life even more as we move into spring.

Los Angeles

After an addition and interior remodel of this cozy home, the owners moved on to rehabbing the landscaping. The goal was to create a garden that uses less water than their old, unkempt lawn, and that compliments the modern sensibility of the newly renovated house. A new olive tree in the front yard might eventually rival the beautiful, mature Chinese flame tree in the backyard, which can be seen over the roof.

Photos by @LauraFordPhotos

Los Angeles

This West Los Angeles home has been remade by its owners and their uniquely talented friends who have had long careers in film production and set design. Behind the dramatic exterior color of the house is a colorful interior with many artistic details and lots of natural light. It's wonderful to have clients who bring an adventurous spirit to our collaboration.

The house sits on a sloped, triangular lot that juts out into the neighborhood like the prow of a ship. The fenced and screened backyard provides all the privacy the family needs. The front yard is the open, public-facing side of the property, where neighbors are often seen walking dogs and greeting each other on the sidewalk. The mature trees were kept in place and the struggling and unused front lawn was replaced with a vibrant mixture of flowering, low-water-use perennials.

These three images provide a glimpse into the design process. After reviewing various concepts with the clients, and based upon their feedback, we produced a rendering to show our design intent. The final image shows the newly installed landscaping, including the new garden walls. The plants will continue to grow and fill in over time. 

British Virgin Islands

Sir Richard Branson purchased Necker Island, in the British Virgin Islands, in 1978 and has since made it his home, as well as a spectacular resort for the lucky few who get to experience it. Through a series of personal connections, Maggie unexpectedly became one of those lucky few. The occasion was the inauguration of the newly rebuilt Great House, after it burned down in 2011 when it was struck by lighting from Hurricane Irene. She was hired to arrange and install new plants in the main corridor that forms the spine of the 10 sumptuous guest suites. The thing about this corridor is that there is not quite enough natural light for real plants to grow and thrive (unlike almost all of the other rooms  in the house which are flooded with light from the open walls and terraces). These beautiful and high quality faux plants enliven the corridor with their textures and various shades of green. When the breeze flows through, thanks to openings at both ends of the corridor, the leaves sway and flutter gracefully.

 For photos of the rest of the Great House, check out these links to recent press on its grand re-opening: 

New York Times

Daily Mail

And to see some photos of the incredible wildlife that gets to call Necker Island their permanent home, check out the blog post on Echoes about Maggie's visit here. 

Pasadena, Southern California

This beautiful, newly renovated home is tucked on the edge of a canyon in Pasadena. The domesticated garden near the house gradually dissolves into the natural landscape of the ravine below, which is home to deer and other wildlife. Many California native plants, along with other Mediterranean and climate-appropriate plants, help to smooth this transition in a naturalistic way. Plants were chosen for their texture, color and form, as well as their resistance to the grazing deer. Various shades of greens and grey are accented with purple and burgundy foliage and pops of bright fuchsia flowers attract pollinators and hummingbirds.

Views from the windows and decks of the house provide the inhabitants with an ever changing kaleidoscope of scenes through the day and from season to season.

It was a joy to work with these clients who are wonderful stewards of their piece of this special canyon and who generously share it with friends and family as well as the wildlife who also call it home.

Photo credit: Sarah Ford Creative (excluding “before” photos)

Los Angeles

After this house in Valley Village was remodeled, the landscaping looked very shabby compared to the luxe new interior. The family needed space for hanging out and entertaining and were desperately in need of shade. The new backyard layout provides distinct spaces for lounging and dining, separated by lush yet low-water plants and the soothing sound of a new fountain. Trees and umbrellas were strategically placed to provide shelter from the sun when needed. The trees are still young but will grow to form cooling canopies. A total of 16 new trees were planted on the large, corner lot, in the front and back yards. The front yard lost its lawn in favor of masses of low-water, clumping grasses and native plants that put on seasonal shows of blooms and colors. There's more information about this project here, on the Echoes blog.

South Pasadena

In May, 2016 this new landscape in South Pasadena received the Golden Arrow award bestowed by South Pasadena Beautiful. "The Golden Arrow is an award that recognizes residents and businesses who do an outstanding job of beautifying and maintaining their properties."

A large, irregularly-shaped front yard was mostly covered with lawn and surrounded by old, woody lavender and rosemary. An existing allee of olive trees provided the inspiration to reimagine the approach to the front door of the home.

The front yard now features a new lawn of water-wise Buffalo grass (that can be left long and meadowy or can be mown for a more traditional look). New hardscape and a built-in bench provide flexible space where the family can relax and engage with the neighborhood. Colorful new plantings brighten the space and invite bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to animate and enliven the garden. 

This garden was featured in the Los Angeles Times Home & Garden section in July, 2016.

Los Angeles

When the new owners moved into this house in Glassell Park, it had some outdoor spaces with a lot of potential and not much else. We created private areas for relaxing that include drought-tolerant yet colorful plants. The barren and exposed side yard was enclosed to become a private, green oasis. The backyard features a Japanese soaking tub. The owners added a bird feeder to the garden after it was installed. The food and nearby fountain are irresistible to our feathered friends. 

Highland Park, Los Angeles

This charming, vintage cottage in Highland Park had been updated but no love had been giving to the landscape or exterior spaces of the property. The new owner wanted to make the outside into an inviting space for relaxing and entertaining friends and family.

The natural slope of the backyard presented opportunities for terracing into different levels. The upper level now hosts a cedar hot tub and a grill island with bar seating. The lower level provides space for a generous dining table and fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs. A new cedar fence provides privacy while also directing the eye to views of Highland Park’s rolling hills in the distance. Bistro lights and lush plantings make the space feel intimate and cozy.

In the front yard, water-wise and colorful plantings welcome visitors to the newly restored front porch.

Photo credit: Sarah Ford Creative (excluding “before” photos)

Sustainability features include: Water-wise and climate appropriate plants that also provide habitat and support pollinators; highly efficient drip irrigation and low-impact materials such as decomposed granite.

Los Angeles

This vintage house in Silverlake was lovingly restored and updated (yes, both at the same time) by an owner with a keen eye for detail. She has a background in interior design and set design and she threw herself into creating a magical home for her family, which includes a small daughter. She insisted that the outdoor spaces be as special as the indoor spaces and she was an excellent creative partner.

The Mediterranean-inspired garden and courtyard are a perfect match for Southern California. White stucco walls set off brightly-colored bougainvillea. Fragrant roses, lavender, rosemary and pittosporum welcome you outside to enjoy filtered shade and cool evening breezes.

Los Angeles

This large yard in Silverlake is heavily used by a family with three young girls. The steeply sloped lot was a challenge (see “before” pictures) but now offers various usable levels that includes a patio and a flat lawn for a wide variety of activities. The new concrete patio space is great for entertaining with comfortable furniture and shade provided by oversized umbrellas when needed. It’s a gathering place for family and friends. Views of the Silverlake hills complete the picture. The hardscape also provides a place for kids’ activities such as small scooters and other wheeled toys, bouncing balls and chalk art. A flat lawn below includes a swing set and a custom-built play house. The lawn is accessible by both new steps and a slide! Lush, water-wise plantings, including new flowering trees and a privacy hedge, envelope the yard in greenery.

Photo credit: Sarah Ford Creative (excluding “before” photos)

Los Angeles

The owners of this property built their dream house from the ground up, a "modern farmhouse", to accommodate a large extended family and their related gatherings. The entire site was scraped nearly clean, removing a jungle of overgrown shrubs and leaving only a small guest house and a few large, mature trees, including stone pines and carrotwoods. Despite the lush landscaping, the property has many environmentally-friendly features, including solar panels, a cover for the pool to prevent water evaporation, various reclaimed and sustainable materials used in the construction and drip irrigation. The majority of the meadow is UC Verde buffalo grass which has been specifically developed to use as little as 25% of the water needed to support regular turf grass. The meadow is surrounded by native and water-wise plants whose blooms provide food for a variety of pollinators. A turf sports field is done in a Bermuda hybrid that also uses less water than most lawns but handles the heavy use of this athletic family.

As part of the team of consultants on this property, we worked on the size and placement of the pool, the pool deck and the adjacent fire pit terrace as well as the layout of the forecourt (which also serves as a basketball court). We selected and placed all plant materials and designed and placed all paths and retaining walls. 

The outdoor spaces of the house are well-loved and heavily used by all members of the family for socializing, entertaining, playing and relaxing. 

Santa Monica

The backyard of this charming craftsman-style house was a large rectangle of struggling grass surrounded by shrubs long past their prime. The homeowners wanted a new space for dining and entertaining that would need far less irrigation. Working around spectacular, mature Paperbark Melaleuca trees, we created a flagstone patio crowned by an elegant, concrete “picnic” table. The adjacent decomposed granite courtyard provides a sunny spot to lay out lounge chairs and relax. A curvy, stacked stone wall defines the edge of a planting bed as well as offering additional impromptu seating and a place to line up a few dishes and wine bottles during dinner. The new plantings include tall meadow grasses, ferns and flowering shrubs that have loose, natural forms. New accent lighting, in addition to a small fountain, complete the  relaxing mood of the new outdoor room

Santa Monica

This growing family needed more usable and welcoming outdoor space for fun and play, cooking, dining and entertaining. Now the extended family and many friends can also enjoy the space with room to spread out. A new outdoor kitchen includes a grill plus sink (with hot and color water) and lots of storage. The outdoor living room includes a fire pit and shade canopy. The lawn is still big enough to kick a ball. There is something for everyone.

Photo credit: Sarah Ford Creative (excluding “before” photos)

Los Angeles

Berkeley Hall School is a private school on a stunning 60 acre campus in the hills off of Mulholland Drive.

Some time ago we tackled the planting areas around the administration and library building. The goal was to make the “front door” to the campus more beautiful and more sustainable. The turf lawn in front of the building was replaced with a sedge meadow. A new “dry creek” drainage swale was added to slow and collect rainwater. The creek is surrounded by flowering plants that provide food and shelter to small wildlife such as butterflies and birds. Water-wise plants were included around the building and now add some height, texture and color to the previously empty planting beds.

The campus is blessed with beautiful mature oak and sycamore trees, as well as other non-native trees. The community of students, faculty and staff take great pride in their school and its magnificent setting. They are wonderful stewards of this special piece of Los Angeles. The students are fortunate to have teachers who use the campus as an outdoor classroom where they can connect to nature and and experience environmental- and eco-systems first hand.

These are all examples of front yards that used to be grass. The new gardens are more climate appropriate for Southern California, using half as much, or less than half as much water, once they are established. They need only seasonal, not weekly, maintenance; and they attract pollinators of all kinds - including birds, bees and butterflies - that grass does not. In addition to all of these benefits, they are more beautiful and more interesting than the dull green carpets they replaced.

Although a turf lawn can be an important amenity for a home, especially one with children, a lawn in a front yard is rarely used by a family. It is public-facing space and most parents, in a city like Los Angeles, prefer that their young children play in the security of an enclosed backyard far from traffic and other hazards. With that in mind, it is worth asking WHY a front yard should be covered mainly in grass. In many cases, the answer is simply that it is the default ground cover, requiring little thought or imagination. Also, it is what people are used to, whether they are California natives or transplants from other states and other climates. Given the realities of our climate, including prolonged drought, combined with population growth, water is a resource we can no longer take for granted. Typically, half of the water a household consumes is used outdoors, for landscaping purposes. This is potable water, that we import at great cost from far away. We have to consider if continuing to water under-used lawns is the best use of this increasingly scarce resource.

An interesting side effect to converting a thirsty grass lawn to more water-wise plantings is that is it contagious. Often, it takes only one or two houses on a block to make the switch and, by setting that example, will spur others to follow suit. Curiosity about these new gardens also inspires neighbors to meet and talk to each other which in turn enhances a sense of place and community.

People often think that a water-wise yard means you are limited to a desert landscape of cactus and gravel. These images demonstrate that low-water does not necessarily mean “dry” and sparse.

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

Dining outdoors, nearly year-round, is one of the reasons we love living in Los Angeles. We have worked with several restaurant groups to design and plant containers and small, interstitial outdoor spaces that compliment the aesthetics of the restaurants and enhance the experiences of their customers.

Cloverdale

This is concept development for a beautiful property perched on a hill overlooking the northern end of Sonoma County and the town of Cloverdale. A modern “cabin” and an elegant swimming pool already exist on site. Our mission is to create landscaping that integrates with the existing features and enhances the natural and rugged character of the site. We are proposing a variety of interconnected spaces that provide a range of experiences and uses for the owners ands their frequent guests to enjoy.