I finally am getting around to reading my stack of March magazines and saw this great article in C Magazine on Southern California landscape architect Scott Shrader. (I previously posted on Shrader here and here.) His signature, sustainable style is fast becoming one of my favorites for outdoor inspiration. The color palette, materials in both hardscape and soft, and perhaps most important, the defined ares for sitting and eating are well thought out and pretty perfect. This is all accomplished with drought resistant plantings and not a blade of grass in sight. I’m not much of a gardener, so this low maintenance design is just my style.
A steel/natural reed trellis covers a dining area providing shade during the day and soft lighting and heat in the evenings.
Love the colors of the grey and sand toned reclaimed bricks set in a herringbone pattern.
Another covered sitting area with natural wood tables, wicker chairs and a subdued palette of outdoor cushions. In the foreground and distance (and top photo), coral bark Japanese Maple provides a change of color with the seasons.
The roughness of the natural lava rocks are a nice contrast to the smooth finished contemporary fire-pit.
Trimmed boxwood globes, olive trees, and succulents in various shades of green pop against the muted grays of the hardscape and upholstery. The smooth surface on the walls mixes nicely with the rough, organic nature of the fountain and gravel.
All images ©shraderdesign.com
