Exterior

Wei cleaned up the exterior landscaping and specified a new color scheme to improve the home’s curb appeal.

Wei transformed the garage into a studio/office space.

The alley entrance is shaded by a cantilevered volume on the second floor. Turf-block pavers reduce runoff.

At the center of the home is a large courtyard which extends the full height of the home, providing a break in the simple form and plan.

Carstensen landscaped the backyard and added a simple fire pit circle with chairs. He updated the deck, replacing the vertical posts with screens to create a more open feeling.

A fire pit between two wings of the home encourages outdoor living.

Containers not only look beautiful, but also, they provide flexibility for bringing plants indoors in areas prone to overnight frost.

These no-fuss landscaping ideas yield gardens that practically take care of themselves.

The five-foot tall fire pit rock is buried three-feet into the ground for stability.

The screen of thin white slates also acts as a privacy shield, as the home is right on lot lines.

The couple planned out all of the exterior landscaping themselves. "[It was] painstaking, the time spent measuring," says Emily.

A small deck and a custom concrete planter complete the seating area off of the main bedroom.

Now, there are two different seating areas off the back of the house, rather than facing the driveway and neighbor as they did before.

A custom concrete planter is now home to a 70-year-old olive tree. The couple reconfigured the front porch to allow for a straight path between the front door and the driveway for better circulation.

The entrance to the home features a direct view of the rear courtyard and garden. "We were inspired by the Case Study Houses and some of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian homes," reveals Chevalier. "The relationship between the interior and exterior gardens was [something we] carefully studied."

Now, an eight-foot sliding door brings light into the kitchen and enables fluid movement between inside and out. The wider steps can serve as seats during a party, and they make for a graceful transition to the yard.