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Tropical Courtyard Retreat - Silver Lake, California Residence

Originally built in the 1930’s the bungalow interior was renovated in 2000. The surrounding landscape however was left as an uneven ground plane, 18-24 inches below the interior level of the house creating an awkward and difficult circulation problem. The house itself was small with a detached garage/ office space. The only element that held them together was the high masonry wall that faces the street and encloses the property. The clients are originally from New Jersey which soon provided the inspiration for the design concept: boardwalks.

The new raised boardwalk pathways provide a seamless connecttion between the two structures, whilst raising their garden to an easy and accessible level, door to door. The boardwalks open to deck areas, doubling the client's previous usable living space, We added an outdoor dining room, living room with a fireplace, as well as a spa and sunning area. The planting is a colorful, lush, tropical fantasy that offsets the straight modern lines of the boardwalk, deck and overhead structures.

My clients now come home from a hard day's work, open all the doors and windows to enjoy a lush and inviting indoor / outdoor living experience that is quintessentially Californian.