Sonoma in the City

The owners of this Lakeview property wanted to create outdoor space for relaxing and entertaining. Their vision was to transform the yard to promote an open-air lifestyle that reminded them of California wine country, where they have roots. Having acquired an adjacent lot, they increased the width of their standard city lot by 10 feet.

We reshaped the yard into four zones at different elevations: kitchen/dining, spa terrace, TV lounge, and side yard. This multilevel design defines each zone and eases the 5-ft height differential between first floor and yard. A new glass door system integrates interior and exterior spaces.

Facing south, the outdoor zones are flooded with natural light. Plantings, louvered sun shades, and a pergola were designed to filter sunlight, add interest, and maintain privacy. A focal point visible from interior and exterior spaces is a 7-ft long linear fireplace with black steel surround and an artful array of cascading planter boxes.

Layers of light add depth and interest in the evening. Lighting is integrated under stairs, handrails, and above the outdoor kitchen for safety and aesthetics. Concealed landscape lights highlight the plantings while overhead string lights evoke a celebratory vibe. On the spa terrace, moonlight globe lights dance along the tile wall. Low-maintenance materials were selected for a durable, modern palette: Brazilian Ipe walnut, black steel, and stone-look porcelain.