A garden that knows its history
This charming home was built in 1938 in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains in Hollywood, California. Our clients reached out to us through the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants with the goal of creating native habitat for birds and other pollinators.
Through precedent research, analysis of the property, and our conceptual design process, we developed a historically-appropriate layout for the garden spaces. Colonial Revival gardens were developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in America and reflect British and Dutch inspiration. The garden includes many classical elements such as axial paths, cruciform features, an allée of trees, an informal kitchen garden, and beautifully-laid brick walkways.
Though the garden has been organized in a formal manner, there’s a wild edge to it. Ninety percent of the plant palette is California natives, representing our pride in our home state, honoring biodiversity, and showing a strong respect for our most precious resource: water.
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“Shawn is passionate, artistic, and very knowledgeable in designing unusual and beautiful gardens specializing in California native species. His design for our home incorporated our ideas for water features and conservation, and he cleverly married the formal look of our house with a meadow-scape. He has hardworking and committed subcontractors who, despite busy schedules, came through on time and on budget. His team was very conscientious about keeping the yard secure and safe for us and our dogs.
This was the first major project we’ve done on our home in 30 years. It was important to us that the landscaping project enhance our property and our enjoyment. Shawn has exceeded our expectations!”
ROB & KEN, RESIDENTS