Making the Grade
Carmel Meadows is a neighborhood between Point Lobos State Natural Preserve and the Carmel River Wetlands. We were commissioned to re-envision the landscape and create a contemporary setting for a newly renovated ranch house.
The entire property was reorganized to maximize usable space. A new entry garden doubles as a sunset sitting area with a peekaboo view to the cove. The backyard was transformed into four cascading terraces: dining and entertaining at house level, an exercise pool and hot tub, a food-forward production garden, and a sitting garden and greenhouse at the bottom of the hill.
The backyard was completely reorganized to maximize the usable space. This was an exercise in sculpting a steep hillside to manage 28’ of elevation change. Spilling out of the living room, the main entertainment area was extended to create more flat space for gathering. The resulting tall retaining wall incorporates the top portion of as a 4’ waterwall. It not only defines the space but also provides white noise to dampen the traffic noise from Highway 1 and screens views to neighbors’ homes below. The upper terrace includes a firepit, outdoor kitchen and dining area nestled into side property line wall.
Stepping down to the middle terrace, an exercise pool and spa were positioned to capture sunrises over the east ridge. Below, an herb garden and veggie beds were set below the views. The pool equipment room is bunkered into the hill to conceal and make double use of the retaining wall.
A wind engaging plant palette finishes off the composition with ornamental grasses and drought tolerant perennials. Burgundy foliage accents and orange flowering plants extend the colors of the freshly renovated interiors into the landscape, blurring the line between home and garden.
Making the Grade
Carmel Meadows is a neighborhood between Point Lobos State Natural Preserve and the Carmel River Wetlands. We were commissioned to re-envision the landscape and create a contemporary setting for a newly renovated ranch house.
The entire property was reorganized to maximize usable space. A new entry garden doubles as a sunset sitting area with a peekaboo view to the cove. The backyard was transformed into four cascading terraces: dining and entertaining at house level, an exercise pool and hot tub, a food-forward production garden, and a sitting garden and greenhouse at the bottom of the hill.
The backyard was completely reorganized to maximize the usable space. This was an exercise in sculpting a steep hillside to manage 28’ of elevation change. Spilling out of the living room, the main entertainment area was extended to create more flat space for gathering. The resulting tall retaining wall incorporates the top portion of as a 4’ waterwall. It not only defines the space but also provides white noise to dampen the traffic noise from Highway 1 and screens views to neighbors’ homes below. The upper terrace includes a firepit, outdoor kitchen and dining area nestled into side property line wall.
Stepping down to the middle terrace, an exercise pool and spa were positioned to capture sunrises over the east ridge. Below, an herb garden and veggie beds were set below the views. The pool equipment room is bunkered into the hill to conceal and make double use of the retaining wall.
A wind engaging plant palette finishes off the composition with ornamental grasses and drought tolerant perennials. Burgundy foliage accents and orange flowering plants extend the colors of the freshly renovated interiors into the landscape, blurring the line between home and garden.
PROJECT TEAM