Frank and Debbi came to us after their new garage and parking area were finished, the latter being a sprawling expanse of paving that accommodated half a dozen cars. It was far more than Debbi had envisioned, as their three cars fit neatly in the garage. Debbi called the office, nearly reduced to tears. She… Read More
In Santa Barbara, a lot of living gets done outdoors. Our clients’ personal enjoyment of their gardens–where they sip their morning coffee, entertain friends, play with the kids, read a book, take a nap–is factored into our plans as we shape their outdoor spaces. But sometimes, we get a gardener: a hands-in-the-dirt, dyed-in-the-wool gardener whose… Read More
New Year, New Voice! We’re proud to introduce our friend, colleague and oft-times-client Penny Bianchi of McCormick Interiors and her blog post about the finer things in life. Sometimes the luxuries we value most are so personal to our taste that they merit explanation. In her post, Penny divulges the the elements that make up… Read More
During this season, eating the yield from our garden adds an extra layer of special to holiday meals. There’s always a place on my table for veggies and fruits of all kinds, so I’m on the lookout for recipes that incorporate them (although I love them in virginal forms as well, free of sauces and… Read More
Looking back, my role in the Victoria Garden Mews project was not so much designing a garden as it was helping the residents create a communal way of life, one that would take place at the outdoor table over laughter and tumblers of wine, a garden that would provide a bountiful harvest — fruit trees… Read More
I love grand old estates. I grew up peering through the gates of the magnificent old homes in my home town of Altadena and in neighboring Pasadena. I’ve been fortunate to have worked on a number some fabulous old properties here in Santa Barbara over the past thirty-odd years. So when the owners of Villa… Read More
Thanksgiving is for all of us. Unlike some of the other holidays, it knows no religion. It’s equal access: a round of thankfulness for everybody. Since I live my life immersed in the garden, at this time of year I find myself filled with gratitude for all things that come from the earth. I’m not… Read More
The story of Victoria Garden Mews would not be complete without bragging on my friend and colleague Dennis Allen, the visionary who made the project happen. (See our previous posts Part 1: First Steps and Part 2: A Project (and a Garden) Comes to Life if you missed the beginning of the story.) Before sustainability… Read More
I love a road trip. I take my chances and see where I land along the way. Usually, I have luck finding fascinating places to explore—and if I don’t, there’s still the innate joy of discovery that fuels my journey. In the spring, Dawn and I hit the road and ended up in Moss Landing… Read More
A visit to a public garden can be much more than a beautiful experience. Yes, you want to take in the gorgeous surroundings, admire the plant specimens and walk along the manicured paths. But what else is waiting for you there? At the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (SBBG), you can learn skills that will help you… Read More