Modern Templeton Oasis: Landscape Transformation of Two Country Acres

Modern Templeton Oasis: Landscape Transformation of Two Country Acres

This modern Templeton outdoor renovation is an example of large-scale landscape design that will completely transform a two-acre country property into a cohesive and personalized residential landscape. The design, created by Madrone, features a range of features that enhance the overall aesthetic and function of the space.

Welcoming Entry Features

One of the most notable improvements to the property are the welcoming entry features that include a stone veneer courtyard wall and custom metal pedestrian gate. This design element leads guests to a tastefully planted entryway that is both welcoming and visually appealing. The large driveway turnaround is bordered by a simple palette of light-toned flowers and hardy shrubs that add a touch of natural beauty to the space

Improved Landscape Views

Another notable feature is the improved view that was created for the property owners. Evergreen trees and shrubs were located in certain areas to provide privacy from neighboring properties. Conversely, the addition of a modern cable railing that encloses the dedicated dog ranging areas creates an unobstructed view of the renovated landscape. An existing board-form concrete wall is extended to provide level space for a large lawn area, and nearby solar panels were screened with a natural arrangement of evergreen plantings.

 

Templeton Oasis Madrone Landscape

 
Increased Functionality and Cohesive Design

The design also includes two new lawn amenity areas, formalized parking, and multiple paths and circulation routes that add to the functionality of the space. The attractive planting palette features a mix of new olive trees, existing oaks, Manzanita, Rosemary, Boxwood, Gaura, Pittosporum, Sweet Bays, Viburnum, and Evergreen Miscanthus that adds muted color and texture to the landscape design.

The use of a warm stone texture motif that is carried throughout the landscape design creates a cohesive and inviting space for relaxation and entertainment. The property is now a unique and attractive space that is perfect for modern living. The attention to detail and use of natural & textured materials creates a cohesive and visually appealing space that is both welcoming and relaxing.

Landscape Transformation Madrone Landscape

 

Let us know if we can help you create your dream modern landscape. Contact us at [email protected] or (805) 466-6263 to learn more about our landscape design services.

On the Boards: San Luis Obispo Custom Modern Landscape Design

On the Boards: San Luis Obispo Custom Modern Landscape Design

Discover how we transformed this San Luis Obispo residence into a refined oasis that maximizes usable space, while striking a balance between openness and privacy.

Our backyard design expands the patio space and incorporates improved screening using fencing, shrubs, and a pergola. With new landscape lighting, the client can enjoy this space long after the sun sets.

For the front yard, we created a welcoming entrance with seating on a clean, contemporary patio. The carefully curated plant palette ensures privacy, while a low decorative fence provides a stylish separation from the street.

Our goal was to achieve an airy, alfresco feel while maintaining a sense of roominess. Despite the site’s limited square footage, we used innovative methods to create a landscape that feels open and inviting. The pergola in the backyard is designed to be more open, creating an airy atmosphere while still providing ample cover.

Trust us to create your dream outdoor space. Contact us at [email protected] or (805) 466-6263 to learn more about our landscape design services.

On the Boards: United Staffing Associates | Paso Robles

On the Boards: United Staffing Associates | Paso Robles

Motivated to reduce water and improve curb appeal, this United Staffing Associates landscape is a stylistic and drought-tolerant retrofit for a previously generic, high-water landscape. We removed all lawn and replaced with drip-irrigated planting, decorative cobble, and a small area of artificial turf.

As a high-traffic location right along the main street of the City of Paso Robles, we took great care in selecting plants that will be attention-catching but hardy. The symmetry of the planting layout is intentionally modern and clean with a blend of colors that complement the company logo.

All this was done without having to disturb any of the existing pavement or parking lot—including during our irrigation retrofit. This transformed landscape was delivered with care both for the future and the present, reducing maintenance costs, water needs, and above all, creating a beautiful outdoor environment for everyone passing through.

Want more information on our landscape design services? Contact our landscape designers at [email protected] or (805) 466-6263.

The Perfect Outdoor Party Space

The Perfect Outdoor Party Space

The Perfect Outdoor Party Space

Written by Tyler Ellison, Designer
Originally published in Living Lavishly

We know how much the venue sets the vibe. On the California Central Coast, the outdoors are a vibe. Mild evenings allow for gatherings almost year-round, so outdoor spaces become parts of the home—extensions of the kitchen, the dining room, the living room, the party. Properly envisioned outdoor spaces transform a bland lot into vibrant, flexible, and personal additions to the interior living areas. Here are some considerations for creating the perfect outdoor party space:

 

Embrace a Particular Design Character

A grove of trees, a feature wall, a boulder outcrop, or interior architectural styling might all imbue landscape character—conversely, a mishmash of incoherent features and materials is the easiest way to disjoint a garden. Attention to character results in the inclusion of similar materials, complementary colors, and pleasing combinations of texture. Perhaps a tile accent inside the house is repeated in a kitchen backsplash, or a modern architectural design mirrored with segmented concrete or clean large-format pavers. A thoughtful geometry of layout, attention to edges, and repetition of plant selections also work together to establish a cohesive character. During design it is helpful to collect imagery of specific materials and arrange them in palettes to ensure that selections are complementary and attractive.

 

Determine Key Amenities for Your Type of Party

A patio dining space often provides the foundational element. Food and drink are the fuel for good times, so having dedicated locations for sitting while eating, standing while munching, even lounging while browsing gives opportunities for a diversity of guests and party sizes. Additionally, a buffet location adjacent to cooking zones allows for flexibility during food preparation and service. In the planning stage, it is helpful to create a list of desired uses and features. Some of amenities worth considering on the Central Coast include:

  • Cooking – Gas BBQ, Griddle, Stove, Smoker, Wood Burning Oven, Ceramic Charcoal Grill
  • Kitchen Elements – Sink, Counterspace, Trash Receptacle, Island, Refrigerator, Cooler, Warming Drawer, Cabinet, Water Heater, Ice Maker, Beverage Tap, Storage Drawer, Shelving
  • Seating & Eating – Table & Chairs, Bistro Set, Bench, Bar Seating, Lounger, Seat Wall, Boulder Slab, Swing, Hammock, Patio, Deck, Nook, Overlook
  • Activity & Play – Pool, Hot Tub, Plunge Pool, Play Structure, Hard Court, Turf, Bocce Court, Open Game Space, Sand Box, Ping Pong Table, Horseshoe Pit
  • Comfort & Protection – Pergola, Gazebo, Heater, Fireplace, Wind Screen, Shade Sail, Umbrella, Shade Tree
  • Warmth & Atmosphere – Firepit, Fire Feature, Fountain, Waterfall, Pond, Boulder Outcrop, Sculpture, Dry Creek, Wall, Gate, Arch, Pillars, Trees & Planting

Explore the Best Location for Your Party Spot

In many instances, existing features will guide the answer to this question. A sweeping view of the Paso Robles hills or a mature Atascadero oak tree might perfectly frame a central party space. Flow between doors, gates, and seating areas should be considered, as well as proximity to the kitchen. A broad primary access path with secondary collectors prevents chokepoints during a busy party. Sun and shade patterns, as well as wind and other climatic features will suggest ideal zones for human enjoyment; a blustery wind in Morro Bay suggests a more sheltered party pad. Cloudy Los Osos might suggest a comfortable boulder-studded fire circle. Finally, planting often provides the smooth transition from hardscape into the larger landscape, playing a vital role in defining and elevating a space.

 

Design for Personalized Flexibility

You want to ensure that your landscape investment allows for all the various parties that you might throw. How can the space morph for different guest lists, different activities, even different seasons? A lawn can offer play for kids, cornhole for adults, or a dining extension for the big celebration. On a sloping site, a low perimeter seat wall might maximize the potential of a patio nook. A central elevated tree planter could provide fast shade, definition of space, and a place to sit. One furnishing can also provide multiple uses on different days: fire pits with hard covers can double as coffee tables or benches when the flame is off.

 

Furnish With Durable and Functional Pieces

Remember, you aren’t setting up your space just for the Instagram photos (although that may be a factor). Get tables, chairs, stools, and barbecues that will stand up in our environment—lots of sun, maybe fog or frost and the occasional rain. Near the beach? Consider the effect of salt spray. Up in scorching North County? Plan for some sort of shade. Certain materials and finishes offer greater protection than others. Concrete, stone, and metal are often the most rugged outside in the elements. Pots, pillows, and plant material can provide easy splashes of color in combination with other earthier features.

 

Install Lighting for Function and Safety

Lighting is the hidden gem of an outdoor party space. Since most parties happen later in the day, a beautifully illuminated garden turns a spooky yard into a welcoming room. There are many ways to light a space, and a well-designed lighting plan makes use of multiple types of fixtures. Up lights pointed along the trunks of trees can help define the boundary of a space. Integrated hardscape lights increase safety in stairways and definition along walls and fences. Overhead lights can provide an even glow across patio spaces. String “bistro” lights can provide low but consistent illumination over a large dining space.

 

 

Outdoor spaces are designed, so an exploratory process ensures that any outdoor space is cohesive and fully resolved. Some homeowners begin with a full vision, and that’s great! If you don’t quite know what you’re looking for, that’s no problem at all. It simply means taking the time to consider what locations, features, character, furnishings, and elements will work best for the party space you want to have. For complex projects, a professional landscape designer will guide the transformation of inspired ideas into buildable plans on paper. At the same time, parties are all about people, so gather food and friends, make some space outside, and you’ll have a great party!

For more information and help with your landscape project, please visit madronelandscape.com.

On the Boards: Templeton Hilltop Residential

On the Boards: Templeton Hilltop Residential

Perched on a hilltop in Templeton, this new residence boasts sweeping view back into the valley. Madrone Landscape provided design-build services to capture and encourage the beauty of both the site itself and the area.

The house sits just below a small grove of valley oaks, providing an opportunity to highlight their arching structure and blend the landscape back into their shade. Lighting along the entry drive highlights the oaks and new trees, as well as providing for function, safety, and beauty in stairs at night.

Looking out over the valley is a bench is nestled underneath the existing oaks, just below the infinity edge pool. Lavenders, sages, rockrose, and grevillea provide colorful interest almost year round, while muhly and miscanthus provide a grassy backdrop and transition to native landscape.

The project includes multiple levels, with a variety of stairs and steps to transition between. A fenced garden area is positioned in a sunny location near the back patio, with a network of paths connecting the garden, patio, pool deck, seating areas, entry, and parking.

Olive, bay, and sumac provide evergreen screening and color, while chitalpa offers a splash of color on a sprawling trunk. Madrone design provided planting, irrigation, and lighting plans, as well as irrigations for the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.

Want more information on our landscape design services? Contact our landscape designers at [email protected] or (805) 466-6263.