Often, homeowners design their properties to reflect some aspect of themselves in order to increase the comfort and ‘hominess’ of their house and signal to guests what they value. Aspirations, hobbies, and interests are all incorporated in the interior and exterior designs of the property to best confer the owner’s personality and help them tell the story of who they are through visual cues. For this Del Mar property owner, the love of Hawai’i was first on their mind when they set out to restyle their home and bring just a small taste of island living to their mainlander home. To bring this tropical island flavor to the sandy shores of southern California, they hired the Torrey Pines Landscape Company to design and implement a full makeover of their backyard. The grounds gently transition into a grassy hill that separates the property from the waterfront, this created a perfect opportunity for a visual focal point. Ripping out an old outdoor kitchen area, the crew installed a cascading waterfall made of piled flagstones set into the hill, bordered by a raised bench and a new bed for a variety of tropical plants that climbs with the slope. The bench utilizes a combination of natural rock flagstone and sand-finished concrete, which the crew incorporated into a new walkway to connect the different features of the new garden. This use of stone is an essential part of the tropical aesthetic with the inclusion of a border fence of natural boulders being used to separate the usable outdoor living space from the new beds. A tropical backyard is incomplete without a spot to eat outside and enjoy the weather, so the crew created a new outdoor kitchen island utilizing lapidus granite with a leather finish for the countertop and sand-finished concrete for the structure. The island includes all-new stainless-steel appliances, including a four-burner barbeque inset into the structure, minifridge, and storage space. As one ventures further out into the garden, the view is dominated by new beds of tropical flora bordering all sides of the property, grading upwards from short-broadleaf shrubs to taller palm fronds to ensure a little extra privacy for those enjoying the backyard. The inclusion of new standing oil torches and hammock allows for a comfortable and atmospheric summer night cozying up and gazing at the stars. The crew finished out the job with the installation of something completely new to the garden – a raised stone platform at the border of the hill’s escarpment that housed a custom spa and fire pit, two items a backyard getaway can’t do without. Built using the same natural flagstone and concrete incorporated into the rest of the garden's new hardscape, the structure is situated next to the hidden steps that lead you up and over the hill and towards the sea, creating a secretive escape from the tropics to the Southern California beach. Once the work was complete, a step into the new garden was like being transported a thousand miles southwest to the secluded islands of Hawai’i. The only thing missing was the ukulele music playing and someone passing out a lei when walking through the door, but the happy homeowner will take care of that for his guests!   Awards for this Project 2019 CLCA AWARD – DESIGN & BUILD CONTSTRUCTION MEDIUM FIRST PLACE WINNER 2019 CLCA AWARD – WATER FEATURE FIRST PLACE 2019 CLCA AWARD – LANDSCAPE LIGHTING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD  

It’s been over two years since I was first contacted by Bill and Ana Drew to provide a patio covering for their barbeque, though it feels now like it was only months ago. It started as a modest project centered around the outdoor kitchen, but the Drews’ vision for their house expanded as time went on, transforming it into one of the most sophisticated and beautiful projects the company has ever undertaken. Two years after meeting the lovely couple, I woke up to the news that our design had been featured in San Diego Home & Garden to rave reviews. Their description of the project is far more succinct and elegant than anything I could ever put into words: “Over the next two years, the couple worked with award-winning landscape contractor Harry Thompson of Torrey Pines Landscape Company to create elegant garden rooms around a new pool house designed by San Diego architect Keoni Rosa. Inspired by everything from the latest postings on Houzz to classic formal gardens, wine-country ambience and even Hearst castle, the Drews wanted to blend elegant European design with California’s relaxed lifestyle for a look both timely and timeless.” Ana’s vision of the landscape was indeed centered around the concept of ‘rooms’, with each area providing a distinct aesthetic that melded together the classical and the contemporary to provide a unique and refreshing energy to everyone who stepped into it.       Fountains adorned with Persian tile trickle into polished stone urns that sit across from custom metal window boxes filled with native succulents. Curved pergolas studded with antique brass patio lanterns frame a modern pool pavilion floored with travertine tiles. Dirt paths bisect raised beds bordered with a cream-colored ledgestone.       Each ‘room’ brings you to a different time and place, giving the viewer a journey through the evolution of landscaping in the Mediterranean climate both here in California and abroad in southern France and Italy. The garden juxtaposes the old and the new, providing a common thread that leads from one to the other. The Drews’ project was expansive, but ultimately their vision turned into something pretty magnificent. San Diego Home & Garden took some beautiful pictures of the myriad elements that went into making that vision a reality, which you can find in their article. 

Editors’ Pick for Picturesque Landscapes Category

Garden of the Year 2016 Winner - "We used to live at The Bridges in Rancho Santa Fe, and we noticed the most beautiful landscaping at one house," Ryan recalls, "It had won an award, so there was a sign saying it was done by Torrey Pines Landscape Company. From then on, we aspired to one day having them do a full design for us."  

Garden of the Year 2015 Winner - "The whole back yard has a different feel now that it's been opened up to the ocean view. But I could have my back to the ocean and be perfectly content. I love the landscaping." - Frank Hobbs, homeowner

Garden of the Year 2014 Winner - "My favorite thing is the view of all three tiers of the garden from the house." - Bill Keitel, homeowner

It’s been over two years since I was first contacted by Bill and Ana Drew to provide a patio covering for their barbeque, though it feels now like it was only months ago. It started as a modest project centered

One modest revisions breaks ground for an inspired landscape

A boring back yard gets a knockout makeover

An outdoor kitchen goes gourmet

If this garden could speak, it would say, "Thanks, that feels better."