Creating a place of refuge for our client’s family, a sanctuary away from the city, was our goal for the Mar Vista residence landscape design.  Inspired by California’s oak woodland, the front yard is anchored with coast live oak trees, boulders and meadow grasses that drift throughout the property.  We wanted the landscape to feel as if the residence was built around the natural elements, reinforced by a specimen ginkgo tree punctuating an interior courtyard.  The private garden spaces continue the meadow theme, emphasizing a monochromatic palette of greens, beige tones, and natural materials.  Built on a sloping site, in the backyard we designed a series of shifting concrete steps that appear to navigate native boulders on slope and provide sitting areas with custom benches that overlook a sport court.  A sunken fire pit lounge adjacent to the pool terrace hugs the slope.  And, a separate side yard outdoor dining and kitchen space was created with additional custom wood benches and charcoal colored block walls.