Optimal relaxation with minimal maintenance was the guiding principle for landscape designer Molly Wood as she overhauled the yard of this Californian beach house. Owners Lindsay and Scott Monroe, along with their grown children, desired a hassle-free outdoor space, as Wood reminisces. “They craved a life lived outdoors,” she says. The family sought a truly habitable space, a stark contrast to the weed-infested, cracked-pavement, and barren soil landscape they had initially acquired. Here’s how Wood converted it into a sanctuary that feels like an escape with every step into the yard.
The garden is tiered, featuring a fire pit lounge and dining zone on the lower level, complemented by a bocce court and a swinging chair on the upper level. Within the family’s budget constraints, Wood primarily used cost-effective materials, tossing in a few luxurious touches.
She jokes about the necessity of blending high-end and budget-friendly elements, explaining that the ipe wood for the decking and banquette represented the high-end “Gucci,” while the poured concrete pavers and pea gravel served as the budget-friendly “Gap.” “Gravel has a certain ambiance,” she notes. “It’s pleasingly textural, feeling great beneath your feet.”
A wooden banquette, even without cushions, can be a comfortable spot for lounging all day, provided it has the right dimensions. Wood advocates for a seat depth of at least 26 inches, with throw pillows for lower back support when needed.
Instead of flowers, Wood focused on the engaging foliage of various water-wise plants to add year-round interest to the yard. She especially favors the combination of ‘Blue Glow’ agave with blue chalksticks for their color and textural diversity, which also happen to require less maintenance than most flowering plants. “The foliage’s color endures throughout the year,” she adds.
Low-water groundcovers and succulents soften the pavers’ edges, while potted vibrant green plants enliven the entire space. “They bring the bling,” Wood jokes, “allowing the all-white house and pots to shine with pops of green.”
Wood states that the homeowners enjoy spending time in the backyard with loved ones, and a bit of friendly rivalry on the bocce court is always welcome. She used redwood edging and narrow strips of plants to define the court, mirroring the rest of the yard’s design.
“I always believe in incorporating fire and water elements,” Wood asserts about her gardening philosophy. She incorporated two gas-powered fire pits into the yard—one near the banquette and another by the dining area, along with a small water fountain set in a limestone trough, offering a visually and audibly soothing touch.
With the kitchen just inside the French doors, there was no need for an elaborate outdoor cooking setup. The family settled for a grill and a compact refrigerator, enveloped by a wooden counter for a cohesive aesthetic.
Wood also installed an outdoor shower for rinsing off after beach visits. It’s semi-private, with a wall of ipe wood on one side and a cluster of low trees and plants on the other, saving costs without fully enclosing the space.
The garden’s centerpiece is an expansive rubber tree, estimated to be at least 80 years old. Wood highlighted it by hanging a swinging chair and installing Serena & Lily woven lanterns that illuminate automatically as the sun sets.
