Spotlight: Modern Landscape Cleanup In Point Loma

Over the years, we have seen many tired landscapes. As we know landscaping can make or break a sale when it comes to curb appeal. It can even affect property value with signs of decay and neglect. Landscapes with sparsely populated planters and expanses of mostly dead lawns choked by weeds, or the opposite: overgrowth and clutter could be to blame. 

While many yards can be well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing from a distance, they often make users of the space feel cramped and claustrophobic. They also impart a dated look and feel to the area, as more contemporary designs emphasize clean lines and tidy organization of flora.

This was the motivation behind one Point Loma homeowner’s decision to hire Torrey Pines Landscape Company to modernize and expand the usable space in their yard. While the existing landscape had its charm, the design severely limited its carrying capacity and needed decluttering.

The Challenge: Decreasing Clutter Through An Increase In Modernized Usable Space

The property rested on a leveled hilltop overlooking the ocean. The flagstone driveway extended past the gate into the side yard to create a small patio before terminating into a gravel walkway that traversed the rest of the outdoor space. The walkway was dominated by its bordering planters, which were filled with towering bushes, trees, and shrubbery, both free-growing and potted. 

The gravel path was briefly interrupted by a rest area consisting of another, smaller flagstone patio shaded by a white pergola. Small features, including a fountain and round rock fire pit and small pergola were dotted along the walkway. The path extended down the narrower side yard to the side door and leading to the new flagstone walkway.

The modernization efforts would focus primarily on significantly expanding the patio area to create solid walkways that connect an outdoor kitchen and a full dining and gathering area. The gravel path would be replaced entirely by concrete steppers and landings, while the planters were either significantly reduced or replanted with low water plantings in a more organized assortment. 

Design And Construction

With the modernization plans in place, the Torrey Pines Landscape Company construction team went to work. Retaining a lush and full look while reducing clutter and expanding the usable space would take some careful planning by the design team and project managers. 

Patio & Outdoor Kitchen

The first order of business would be to remove the old flagstone patio in favor of the finished concrete that would provide the surface for most of the redesigned landscape. The patio area would be expanded significantly, with the border planters reduced to break up the cleaner lines.

A newly constructed outdoor kitchen would be the first element to break up the side walkway emerging from the front of the home. The kitchen island and bar features a grey stacked stone veneer topped with a porcelain Dekton countertop.

The structure features a variety of built-in stainless steel appliances, including a four range grill, a minifridge and storage. The far end of the countertop extends past the base to create bar seating, allowing for up to four guests to sit, eat, and enjoy the sun while the host grills up a meal.

Dining & Rest Area

The most extensive work was concentrated in the back corner of the yard adjacent to the newly installed outdoor kitchen. The old stone fire pit, bench, gravel footpath, pergola, patio, and significant portions of the large planter areas would be removed in favor of a streamlined concrete patio sectioned into a dining and gathering areas.

The sectioning would be accomplished with the construction of a new, much larger, taupe-colored-stained, custom-built, wooden pergola. The shade structure would create the effect of an “outdoor room” while protecting guests enjoying the new outdoor dining area from the late summer sun’s powerful rays.

The expanded patio and pergola provided ample space for additional seating. Outdoor sofas and tables were added by the homeowner to give their family and guests a place to sit, converse and and enjoy their time together.

Sitting just behind the dining area, the original rest area was expanded to accommodate even more outdoor sofas centered around a new elongated fire feature. Sitting in a small bed of crushed rock, the fire table unit contained smooth-tumbled lava stones in greyscale colors to extend the contemporary aesthetic.

The pergola’s style and color scheme were extended to a newly constructed focal point, free-standing lattice that demarcated the end of the patio area. Similar to the pergola, the backboard would create a sense of enclosure and comfort while leaving the sky and view unobstructed. Jasmine vines were planted below and will eventually climb on this trellis to bring a beautiful scent and softness to the structure. 

Walking Path And Planter Updates

The original gravel footpath traversing the property would be replaced in favor of solid concrete steppers to create a more stable walkway. Water features, including a prefab spillway basin, were incorporated to add a focal point off the sliding door from the house and also add a calming water noise to the garden. This fountain’s texture and shape add to the redesign’s clean, modernist aesthetic.

The bordering planters were cleared and replanted and top dressed with decorative bark mulch. New plantings of low-water shrubbery, accenting agave, grasses, and succulents would fill out the planter to create a lush, yet controlled fill.

The section of the footpath overlooking the ocean was repaved with the same flagstone as seen on the driveway. A bench was installed to provide a comfortable spot to sit, admire the scenery, read a book, or simply enjoy the sea breeze. The flagstone walkway extends to the front door as well and keys into the existing flagstone perfectly. 

Size constraints precluded bringing in the home’s trash bins, so a small enclosure would be constructed to further reduce clutter. While maintaining the desired aesthetic, as a coup de grâce for the decluttering process, a small enclosure, with a board and baton design and simplistic gate was constructed for the waste bins.

The final result was a fully transformed outdoor space that seamlessly blended modern design with the charm of its natural surroundings. Where once there had been congestion and visual noise, there was now a clean, spacious, and thoughtfully organized landscape that invited relaxation and made entertaining a pleasure. If you’re feeling crowded by your landscape, Torrey Pines Landscape Company can help. Call today!