House 6  –  Deck & Dry Stream

4721 Paseo de las Tortugas
Dry Stream Garden

Mix a charming shingled ranch home with serene yet striking Asian landscape elements and you have the sublime combination that inspired the Smith family.  Step across the bold river rock aggregate driveway, softened by colorful, sinewy borders, and through the half moon gate to a stunning rear yard featuring an elegant brick herringbone patio with a sophisticated entertaining pavilion complete with matching cushions and drapes that can be drawn for privacy and/or warmth.  The subtle harmony of this landscape incorporates an inviting viewing area with a simple bubbling fountain and benches for relaxing.  Certainly the most distinctive feature is a rhythmic dry stream bed, snaking along the entire yard and beautifully laid with granite boulders and Chinese mica.  This unique and highly aesthetic element also serves a practical function by carrying rainwater from sky and roof out to the street.  Muted colors, texture and form are important considerations for the choice of plantings, which includes Juniper procumbens €œNana€, Japanese maples, & poodle cut Eugenias