A Calabasas Backyard Renovation
Updated: May 7, 2025
I stepped outside of my comfort zone recently when a long time client asked me to come back and help her with her dated Tuscan style backyard. I typically recommend landscape designers for this type of scope, but somehow she coaxed me to give it a go. I have to say, I'm thrilled with the results and happy to be able to say I can now do outdoor design work as well as interiors.
The before was not terrible. The Tuscan look was appropriate for the house and area, but she wanted a cleaner more modern Mediterranean aesthetic. She also wanted to fill in an opening of the patio and add a new fireplace location to her home.
BEFORE PATIO
BEFORE GRILL
BEFORE FIRE TABLE BENCH
The scope of work consisted of replacing all the hardscape and hard surfaces but keeping the locations intact.
Here is how I communicated the design intent.
Quick and easy Sketchup models. Nothing too fancy. Don't worry, there were super dry construction documents too for the builder.
And here are the beautiful AFTERs
A true outdoor living room with a plaster surround gas fireplace insert, custom teak sideboard cabinet, and wood beams added to the ceiling. New outdoor lighting and furniture styling.
The grill station got a facelift with plaster and teak surround for the cooking area, new appliances, tile surround fir the seating area, and a new white concrete counter top.
The fire table and plaster bench were reimagined into a sleeker more functional shape and size. With the same white concrete top and zellige tile cladding as the BBQ station to tie the elements to one another.
And while we were at it, the owners decided to reclad their pool waterline tile with the same white zellige tile and resurface the pool with white plaster. Good call.
I learned a lot about exterior materiality and installs through this project and I'm pleased to add backyard renovations to my list of services as a result. Designers - how do you feel about outdoor renovations? Is it wise to include it as a service or leave it to the landscape designers?
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