One of the landmark oaks shades the entrance to the home.

Western Living

A beautiful site with wide open 360° views and three landmark valley oaks brought a wonderful family with energetic grandchildren to the Santa Lucia Preserve. We aimed to create a landscape that was responsive to the scale with the openness of the space, but remained as light on the land as possible, while providing lots of places for play and peace. The firepit anchors a quiet gathering place, within earshot of the pool. We connected the pool with the natural setting by limiting the extent of pool decking. The stone, pool tile and decomposed granite reflect the natural setting: the buff colors of grasses, lichen-covered stones and blue skies. Courtyards provide sheltered outdoor spaces within the expansive grassland, as well as shade and a place to relax out of the elements.

Western Living

A beautiful site with wide open 360° views and three landmark valley oaks brought a wonderful family with energetic grandchildren to the Santa Lucia Preserve. We aimed to create a landscape that was responsive to the scale with the openness of the space, but remained as light on the land as possible, while providing lots of places for play and peace.

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The firepit anchors a quiet gathering place, within earshot of the pool. We connected the pool with the natural setting by limiting the extent of pool decking. The stone, pool tile and decomposed granite reflect the natural setting: the buff colors of grasses, lichen-covered stones and blue skies. Courtyards provide sheltered outdoor spaces within the expansive grassland, as well as shade and a place to relax out of the elements.

The pool reflects the blue sky, and the firepit was made from a reclaimed sugar bowl.
The buff-colored paving stones anchor a rustic seating area around the firepit.
On the opposite side of the home from the pool, a sunken courtyard provides continual shade and a fireplace.
The indoor-outdoor kitchen opens up to the firepit area.
An overview of the expansive home and pool area.
The back of the home and guesthouse, photographed from a hill.
The hand-colored master plan shows the layout of the landscape.
The guesthouse has a strong western theme, inside and out, with a hitching post creating the railing for the front porch.
The ranch manager for the Santa Lucia Preserve is smiling with two horses and a dog, near the porch of the guesthouse.
 
The guesthouse is covered in rustic, rough stone, and an old galvanized pot is a planter.

PROJECT TEAM

Carlson Design Group, Inc.

ARCHITECT

Dawn Williams Design

INTERIOR DESIGNER

Jerry Allison Landscaping

LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR

David Wakely

PHOTOGRAPHER