Mid century modern drought tolerant landscape design in Santa Barbara Olive trees, agave and gravel
What is Curb Appeal? It means making your home look inviting from the street. There’s lots of advice out there on how to get “Curb Appeal” everything from planting “color” to adding window boxes to adding landscape lighting. Though all these suggestions may be valid and should be done, I think it is a bit too narrow a look.
Landscaping is for Living
The truth is that each home and homeowner is unique and need to be considered. Let's take into account the style of the home, the entire property and the needs of the homeowner, before doing anything, so I think the idea of “Curb Appeal”, though valid, may be missing the the mark.
Landscaping is about contours, shapes, forms, negative space (more on that in a later post), textures, fragrances and most of all, life. Your garden or landscape is for living, enjoying, raising your kids, enjoying your grandchildren. Here is an example of a makeover that achieved curb appeal and a lot more.
Mid Century Modern home before landscape makeover
Mid Century Modern in Santa Barbara after makeover with Olive trees, Agave attenuata, crushed stone
In this example, you will see how we transformed this outdated, (and dare I say) unattractive, landscape into something fresh and new, befitting the architecture of the home and lifestyle of the new owners.
The landscaping was not only behind the times but did nothing to bring out the best features of this mid-century modern home in Santa Barbara. Additionally, the homeowner felt “exposed” to the street and wanted privacy without feeling closed in. There was the other obvious problem of the lawn. With all the talk these days about the lack of water in California, I like to give this project the subtitle “Is there life after lawn?”
The answer was a complete redesign. Taking a clue from an existing old olive tree, three more olives were strategically placed across the front of the property. The trees along with Agave attenuata, crushed stone and a few boulders completed the look. The result: clean, simple lines that complement and soften the modern lines of the house while creating privacy without completely blocking the home from the street.
Life After Lawn
The bonus of drought tolerant plantings and the removal of the lawn prove that life after lawns can be beautiful! Until next time, fill your garden with joy!
“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” Antoine de Saint Exupery