I was able to pay a visit to the Pasadena Showcase House Of Design this week, and the best way I can describe it in two words... jaw dropping. I started the tour of the Cravens three story, fifty-room estate residence at the Grand Entrance which was designed by Pacific Ourdoor Living. The grey and cream colored paving stones used here take you back to a historic chateau in France, and really sets the tone for the rest of the house. The custom Red Cross medallion in the center of the entrance is a nice detail, especially since this is now the home of the San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter of The American Red Cross.
The Portico is the next space that grabs your eye right before you enter the mansion. The hand forged iron panels that frame the large glass front doors instantly show how much craftsmanship was put into the space designed by Padua-D.K. Designs. Through the door leads into the Grand Gallery which is complete with a restored mural of the Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte in France which was the inspiration for the design of the Cravens Estate. The walls in this room were darkened in order to bring out the pastel colors of the mural.
Next you will find yourself in the Morning Room and Morning Garden. The Morning Room is complete with high ceilings, French doors and a cast iron fireplace. The designer for this room, Linda Allen Designs, used neutral grey colors in this room to help bring out the brighter green fabrics and white trim on the walls. The arched French Art Deco mirrors that hang on the walls are the finishing touch to this room. The Morning Garden boasts rose colored marble flooring and a beautiful drought tolerant garden, which is an Eco friendly replacementt for water hungry annuals. The garden was topped off by designers Carson-Magness Landscapes with the addition of a contemporary water sculpture as the centerpiece.
The Drawing Room was the next section that really caught my attention and was probably the largest room on the tour. We were told that the original walls, fixtures and windows were preserved in this space. The bright colored wooden walls also seemed to be the inspiration for the furniture and gave it a very comfortable feel. I can easily see this as the main room to do the most lounging and relaxing. Saxony Design Build also did a great job of adding Red Cross memorabilia to pay tribute to the current owners.
The Eco Kitchen was originally one of the two butler pantries, and was completely re-designed by Cynthia Bennett & Associates using "green" materials. The surfaces were made from 100% recycled glass and cement, and tiles created through a zero waste process. The appliances are all energy efficient, and even the tables and chairs are made of sustainable wood. This is a beautifully designed kitchen that helps turns this mansion into a home.
The Media Room was literally transformed by Designs Of The Interior from a blank box into this gorgeous hang out spot for the entire family. I loved absolutely everything about this room, from the lighting fixtures and chairs, all the way down to the framing of the flat screen TV on the wall. Before I got too comfortable here, I realized that it was time to continue the tour. Time to head upstairs!
I went straight into the Master Bedroom which was nicely done by Julie Kays Design. The canopy bed and 2 sitting areas make this a place that is meant to do nothing but rest in after a long day. The silk wall covering, hand painted with birds and trees can be found surrounding the entire room, and the elegant furnishing were the finishing touches. The Master Bedroom then leads into each of Mr. and Mrs. own respective Dressing, Sitting, and Bathrooms.
Mrs. Cravens Sun Room is filled with African tribal art and completely surrounded by large windows. Designer Karina Oldemans describes this space as "sophisticated, elegant, and comfortable" and she couldn't have been more accurate.
Mr. Cravens Dressing Room will make any Don Draper hopeful instantly jealous. Its the perfect place for a man to kick his feet up and read the paper before he heads out for the office. Jennifer Bevan Interiors did an excellent job on capturing what this room should look like with the use of contemporary, traditional and classic furniture.
Mrs. Cravens Bathroom is adjacent to her private closet that would make most women stare in awe. The bathroom still uses the original tub and marble floors, but have been refinished and a painted design was added above the tub. Roberta Martin Interiors did a great job on bringing out and adding on to the beauty of this space.
The Gentleman's Bathroom uses a very nice contrast between the dark and light colors of the wall panels, and the dark colors of the floors and ceiling. The hanging chandelier catches your attention as it hangs over the contemporary vanity installed by DChristjan Design.
The Guest Bedroom was beautifully done by Lechman-Testa & Associates, as they used an old world look to really make the room stand out. All the furnishings used different finishes and textures but was still able to blend in nicely. The iron chandelier was a great touch and brought my attention to the gorgeouscrown moulding.
After exiting the house, we went over to the Terrace Garden which was designed by Pacific Outdoor Living, and uses a unique checkerboard look that blends turf and large concrete pavers. Two bubbling water features added a soothing background sound as you gaze at the beautiful landscape.
The Strolling Garden was designed to be a work of art more than just your usual garden. FormLA Landscaping used a lot of geometric shapes and curls which is surrounded by glass mulch and other Eco-friendly features such as reclaimed tire mulch and decomposed granite walkways. California native plants fill the garden and fill the air with a wonderful fragrance.
With so many rooms, we were not able to mention every single one of them, but there is still plenty of time to go see the Pasadena Showcase House Of Design, which is an event that shouldn't be missed. All of the designers did an amazing job and I already can't wait until next year. To purchase tickets or to view the full collection of pictures click the links below.
We have already mentioned it before, and still urge all of those in Los Angeles to attend the 6th annual Parade Of Ponds this year. With so many ponds, waterfalls, and streams on display there is tons to see and enjoy throughout the day. Circle Saturday, May 29th and Sunday, May 30th on your calendars as those are the days to head up to the Pacific Outdoor Living Design Center to start the parade. Advance tickets are still available by heading over to California Waterscapes' website and clicking the link at the bottom. Here is a quick teaser on what you can expect at the Parade Of Ponds.
There are a lot of myths out there on what is needed to maintain a pond, or on why a pond will bring you nothing but problems and headaches. Here are seven specific myths that I would like to officially destroy and hopefully help convince more of you out there to become a pond owner and water gardener.
Raccoons will eat all of your fish - Raccoons do not like to swim and will usually sit on the side to swipe fish with their paws. The fish are aware of a possible threat and will swim to the bottom and stay out of harms way until the threat goes away.
Rocks and gravel make it difficult to clean the pond - The Eco system pond will maintain a natural balance that allows mother nature to do the maintenance work on her own. Beneficial bacteria are able to colonize on the rock and gravel which are able to break down debris and muck that would usually feed algae and help it grow.
Fish cannot survive in cold climate - When temperatures drop the the fish will naturally swim to the bottom and hibernate during the winter, there is no need to bring them inside and protect them from the cold weather.
You must test your pond for PH daily - When working with aquariums and pools of water that use chemicals, you do need to check the PH balance often. But when working with a natural Eco system, there is no need to test
Ponds attract mosquito's - Mosquito's love stagnant water, so if the pond is stagnant then there will be mosquito's near by. The trick is to continuously have the water moving and less mosquito's will come around. Also any larvae on the water surface will be taken in by the skimmer and drowned, or eaten by the fish. A properly built pond can actually reduce the number of mosquito's in the area.
Draining and cleaning the pond must be done on a regular basis - If the pond you have is not working with a natural Eco system, draining and cleaning the pond will be a regular headache. But if you are taking advantage of a naturally balanced pond you may have your pond cleaned once a year max, and some don't require it at all.
The more filtration the better - If you were filtering water for drinking then more filtration is best, but when talking about a naturally balanced pond it is not necessary. Over filtering a pond can cause some maintenance problems that can become costly. if you can see a dime at the bottom of the pond, it is more than clean enough.
Still have more questions? Give California Waterscapes a call and they will be more than happy to answer them for you.
Pacific Outdoor Living were featured in an episode of Landscapers Challenge on HGTV. In this show, 3 landscape designers take on the challenge of coming up with a design that fulfills every want of the homeowner. The homeowner then chooses the winning design to be built and we also get to see the final results. Pacific Outdoor Living did indeed win this competition and the final design was jaw dropping once it was completed. Take a look at the video below which shows clips from the competition and the final result.
Pergolas are a good choice when looking to add to your outdoor area. But I do get asked often if this is an easy do it yourself project, or should a professional handle this line of work. Depending on ones experience in construction, it can be a DIY job, but I highly recommend you get a professional design done first.
There are some plans that you can purchase online, but who's to say that design which you saw on a computer screen would work perfectly with your home, hire a pro to do it. Once you have a design in hand then decide if this is a job you can take on yourself. This example here included columns, lighting, and electrical lines for a ceiling fan which can be very advanced for the average builder.
When choosing a designer or contractor, remember to always check references and past work. You only want quality work to be done on your house and this is the best way to find out how good they really are. Pacific Outdoor Living are professional landscape designers and builders and would be more than qualified in adding a pergola to you outdoor living room.
We made a quick stop at this years Pasadena Showcase House Of Design to give you a little taste of what you expect for this years home. As you will see, designers came out with some of their best ideas to really transform and beautify this home. Also make sure you stop and enjoy the Dining Pavilion which is going to be catered by Wolfgang Puck.
If you have yet to get your tickets to the Pasadena Showcase House, be sure to do so by clicking the link below.
I am always willing to pass on a great deal to you when I come across one, and this one is unbeatable. Pacific Outdoor Living is now offering homeowners to have a full landscape design package for only $995! What that package includes is a consultation with a landscape designer, concept art, full site measurements, elevation plan, drainage plan, and full custom quote for all services including itemization.
Just imagine, finally having your backyard space professionally designed and receiving it with a very large discount. This same type of package will usually go for at least $2500 with other design companies. Take advantage of this deal and get your own backyard getaway designed for you.
Call Pacific Outdoor Living today and schedule a time to consult with a landscape designer at your home and start re-designing your yard today.
Ever since I made a visit to the Armstrong Garden Center a month ago I have been thinking about a vegetable garden of my own, especially since now is the time to plant. So I did my research and here is what I learned on how to plant your own vegetable garden.
Use the sunniest spot in your yard to do the planting, after all the two things your garden will need to grow are sun and water.
Clear and prepare the land that you are going to use for your garden by using a rototiller.
If you are going to plant the seeds directly into the ground, take the soil and plant the seeds in an egg carton until they take root and then transplant them. The other choice is to buy seedlings at a nursery and then plant them.
Orientate the rows of vegetables east to west, and make sure the tallest plants are on the north end of the garden. This will be keep the smaller plants from being shaded but the bigger ones and not receiving enough sunlight during the day.
Plants a few flowers throughout the vegetable garden, this will attract bees and help pollinate the garden.
If you use these easy tips your garden will be sure to flourish and enjoying your very own freshly grown vegetables in no time.
Here is a how to video that any homeowner can use. It has happened to all of us at least once, where one of the sprinkler heads breaks. But rather than having to pay someone else repair the broken sprinkler head, follow these easy steps that will your irrigation system up and running in no time.
Outdoor Elegance has quickly become one of my favorite stores when it comes to shopping for my patio. They offer a complete selection of everything you would need for the outdoor living room including furniture, BBQ's, fireplaces, fountains, and more.
The staff at the large indoor/outdoor patio design showroom are very helpful and knowledgeable, and I still haven't been able to come up with a question that they can't answer. They will also guide you through the latest fabric and custom finish options available so you can find something that fits your style.
Families are entertaining at home more than ever right now, and for the gourmet chef of the house a quality grill is needed to cook in style. Choose from a wide selection of top quality manufacturers including Fire Magic, Viking, Lynx, and Twin Eagles for your outdoor kitchen.
If a fireplace or fire pit is what your looking for to keep the entertaining going into the chilly nights, make sure to take a look at the gas log live burn display at Outdoor Elegance. Get some design ideas on what route you should take when planning your outdoor project.
What ever your needs may be, Outdoor Elegance will be able to fulfill them. Give their massive showroom a visit and see for yourself exactly what they will be able to do for you
Paving stones have been a favorite of homeowners when deciding to redo the outdoor flooring of their home. I looked into several manufacturers but Belgards Natural collection were the stones that stood out the most.
The Arbel and the Mega Arbel stones feature an irregular base shape, with an expansive array of unique textures and patterns that mimic actual flagstone. Plus, since these are pavers, they are much stronger than your common flagstone.
The Old World collection is also a beautiful choice to consider if you plan on redoing your patio. This stone is called Old World because thats exactly what its made to replicate, the old cobbled streets of Europe with a natural stone cleft finish.
If your considering having your outdoor living room to be upgraded with either of these pavers, we suggest you give Belgard or Pacific Pavingstone a call and see what can be done for your home. Once your stand back and look at it, you will never regret it.
Posted by: The Backyard Getaway / Category:
tips,
video
The question that everyone asks, how do I choose the right contractor for the job? It's tough to choose especially when so many homeowners have nothing but horror stories to share. But don't worry there are still professionals out there, you just need to know where, and how to look. The video below features Terry Morrill, owner of Pacific Outdoor Living, as he shares a couple of tips and questions you can ask when looking for a qualified contractor.
Another easy way to see a contractors past record is by using Service Magic and Angie's List. both are websites dedicated to help you find a contractor that is going to do a great job. They do this by monitoring what contractors are being listed and allowing their previous clients to comment and rate them on their performance. We highly suggest you search across either website when choosing a contractor for your next project.
Building an outdoor kitchen is still popular with most homeowners, but the addition of a wood fired oven could be the best feature for your backyard kitchen. Los Angeles Ovenworks is a local supplier with a very interesting product that could help you get your own oven for your home.
What Los Angles Ovenworks carries are high quality Italian imported clay ovens that come in modules, making them affordable, as well as easy to transport, install and maintain. There are six different ovens to choose from for residential use ranging from 32" and 55" diameter interiors. And by lighting them once, you can count on constant heat for up to 6 hours, that helps save the amount of wood being used.
Once you have the module, let your imagination go wild and build around it. Check out some of the designs that previous Los Angeles Ovenworks customers have come up with when they built their wood fired ovens.
I wanted to throw out a quick and easy tip than add on to any outdoor living area. String lights, like the ones show here are simple enough for anyone to add on and if done correctly will add just the right amount of soft light needed to keep the relaxation going into the later hours.
Keep in mind how many strings you are planning to add on. Are you looking to really illuminate the area for entertaining guests, or just enough to keep things visible? If you plan on just keeping it as a relaxation getaway spot then you might want to keep it to a minimum 5 watt bulb. But if you need more light then go with the larger 7 watt bulbs.
Price wise, they are very affordable with a 100 foot long string going for about $30 and the bulbs averaging out to about $.75 each. Not bad for the major upgrade you will get in return. Read more »
Ask any real golf enthusiast if they would like their own putting green in the backyard, and get ready to see their eyes light up. Putting greens have been a growing trend amongst homeowners in the recent years. It brings the great game of golf home, and it can make a dead space into a useful one.
We spoke to someone over at Jacks Turfto find out more about this trend, and they confirmed that it is one of their most sought after products to be installed. There is something about having your very own putting green to practice on, especially when heading out to the golf course isn't always possible.
Since the turf used for these putting greens is artificial, you also have next to no maintenance to worry about once it's installed. The turf will give the golf ball a true roll, so that way the stroke that you practice with on your putting green will be the same stroke you use on the course. If this is something that sounds interesting to you, we invite you to take a look around Jacks Turf website and get an estimate for your home.
This is a common problem amongst most people when they mow their lawns, cutting it too short. This can cause a lot of problems for your grass and might even lead into replacing the lawn. First watch the video and learn exactly when the lawn should be cut shorter and when it should be allowed to grow a little more.
Most people have the idea that by cutting the lawn very short, they will not have to do it as often. The problem with that theory is when the sun beats down on the grass it will easily burn and kill the grass. The easiest way to put it is like this, Through May to September keep the lawn at about 3 inches, once fall rolls in drop it down to about 2 inches and you will be able to enjoy a lush green lawn all year long.
How would you like to received free trees to add to your landscape? The real question is, who wouldn't? Before I jump into the details on how you can get your free trees lets first tough on the reasons why you should do it and how it should be done.
Keep in mind that these trees that are being given away at zero cost to you, need to serve a certain purpose and are not simply for their beauty. These shade trees need to be used in order for you to be able to reduce your electric bill. How can that be done? By placing them in spots where the sun tends to beat down on your home, or where your air conditioning unit is. With less heat entering your home there will be less need for the air conditioning, and by giving the air condition unit more shade you will pull in more cool air and that leads to less usage.
So how do you get your free shade trees? I went through the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and they supplied me with 3 trees of my choice from an extensive list. They also included everything you need to get that tree to establish itself including steaks, food, and the proper soil. I had to take a quick online class and draw out the plan of where I intended to plant the trees. I received my trees within a month and that was it! The link below will help you get started on the process to receive your free shade trees through the LADWP, but if your not a part of that water district, we suggest that you call your utility provider and see what programs they are offering locally to you.
Wood decks are always a nice addition to the backyard patio, but usually this requires a lot of work and can turn into a big construction job. But to make things a little easier I came across these hardwood deck tiles that are specifically made for outdoor use. Instead of breaking out the current surface in your backyard, these tiles can actually be installed on top which saves you from tons of labor and cost.
The tiles come in two pieces which are the frame tray and the actual hardwood tile itself that is pictured here, and installation requires no screws, nails or toxic adhesives. To install... Simply sweep the surface clean and begin locking each tile in place. The polypropylene frame has an injected UV stabilizer that will ensure a long life span. But other than this product being easy to install, its also beautiful.
Just look at the difference the hardwood tiles would make once you install them over the old concrete deck. It adds a beautiful contrast to the area, and especially with this example being on a roof top it is the best choice for you to consider since it will not require the current hard surface to be demolished.
Posted by: The Backyard Getaway / Category:
ideas,
tips
The ability to upgrade on a tight budget can be tough, but it is possible. Quick inexpensive fixes can be found at your local hardware store, and can make a big difference. Always keep in mind that rather than starting a new project, try to make what you have a little better and improve on it. The video below will get into more details on what you can do with only $200 bucks to work with.
Need some more ideas? Check out HGTV's website as it goes beyond the TV shows with tons of design ideas online.
Recently the Pacific Outdoor Living Design Center held pond seminars and gave away free koi to attendees. We were there to enjoy the festivities and also found out a little more about the next event. Check out the video for a quick recap, and details on the next event. We hope to see you at there!
Outdoor fireplaces are always a nice addition to your backyard living room. Not only do they add on to the beauty of the space but will warm you up on those chilly nights, and you wont have to run back inside for warmth.
To make it easier, outdoor fireplace kits have been created where you can order one online, have it sent to you, and install it yourself. The Fireplace pictured here comes as interlocking pieces that are strong enough to handle extreme weather, and is made of a strong, heat dissipating stone that avoids the problems associated with concrete and cement type mixes.
Both gas burning and log fireplace kits are available, but we suggest that if you are considering a gas unit to make sure you have a qualified installer handle this type of project for you.
Depending on your budget there is always something that will be able to fit it. from the different types of units I've seen, the price range varies depending on what your needs are. The fireplace pictured here is a wood burning unit that is 5 feet tall and made of sheet metal with a black finish which starts at $729.
Now if you want something that will give you more of a custom made and natural stone look, this fireplace is made up of a glass-fiber reinforced concrete and stands at almost 8 feet tall. The detail on this unit is a lot more noticeable and will be an amazing add to your outdoor living room. This fireplace kit will set you back $7,883 but is still substantially less than having it custom made.
If you need help with any installation or gas line connections, find your contractors through Service Magic so you know that they are qualified. Read more »
brighter green fabrics and white trim on the walls. The arched French Art Deco mirrors that hang on the walls are the finishing touch to this room. The Morning Garden boasts rose colored marble flooring and a beautiful drought tolerant garden, which is an Eco friendly replacementt for water hungry annuals. The garden was topped off by designers Carson-Magness Landscapes with the addition of a contemporary water sculpture as the centerpiece.
