Montecito

The Design Challenge

This grand old Italianate estate in Montecito needed its landscape adapted to the young family living there without sacrificing any of its historic charm. The owners wanted a place to gather with their friends and for their children to play. The goal was for everyone to enjoy the tranquil vistas and graceful old oaks on the property. During the landscape restoration, the house was also remodelled.

The Design Solution

Renovating this garden was a process of editing and enhancement. We gave the beautiful bones of the grand wisteria allée a facelift and improved the pool area with a dining patio for entertaining. The thirsty lawn, which we reduced significantly, rolls down to a sweet spot under a massive oak, where we built a bocce court for added family fun and European authenticity. Materials were sourced carefully for their historical accuracy and installed with our signature old world craftsmanship. The driveway and entry court were planted in a site-appropriate palette with varieties that would have been found at the time the house was built. To complete the renovation, we added perennial borders and an herb garden, renovated the rose garden and expanded the orchard.

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