Beach Vacation Home—Southern California

Project Summary

The owner of this beach house wanted two conceptual designs for her property, which included the design challenge of a private detached apartment behind the main house. After reviewing the draft designs with her Home Outside designer, she requested two slightly different versions of Design A, with only the location of the front path and stairs changed.

Check out the plan notes below to learn more about Home Outside’s design solutions!

Base Plan

Draft Design A

Draft Design B

Final Design A

Final Design B

Landscape Design A Plan Notes

Remove existing stair and path into property. Remove existing block wall and replace with taller white concrete/stucco retaining wall to match neighbors. Choose height of wall to maximize flat ground within front and side yard.

Evergreen hedge surrounds front and side yard. Choose species that is able to grow to 6’ tall. Underplant with vegetation to cascade over new retaining wall.

Remove parts of existing concrete path to front door that are no longer used. Replace lawn area with synthetic turf.

Replace existing stone/concrete landings and staircases with deck and railing.

Fill planting bed behind hedge with tough, leafy vegetation. Consider water availability and amount of shade in this area.

Narrow, upright tall shrub. Consider using low, leafy vegetation or river rock as groundcover.

Proposed shed to store bicycles and other items.

Storage/utility area behind tiny house.

Large container plants, possibly citrus, line face of tiny house.

Movable fire pit and seating. Backyard gathering area is dotted with container plants, bringing color and texture into a highly built environment. Preserve access to utilities and nearby outdoor shower.

Small entry deck to tiny house.

Outdoor shower.

River rock or other gravel base with stepping stones in utility area behind house.

Large deck in front yard features dining area and lounging area.

New staircase and path to front yard built into new retaining wall.

Pave median areas between sidewalk and roadway with permeable pavers. Paving suggestion: dry-laid gray stone cobbles over planting bed (preserves planting area beneath pavers, healthier for tree).

Install raised garden beds in large median strip. Raised garden beds could feature ornamental vegetation or edible plants.

Landscape Design B Plan Notes

Rebuild stair and pathway into front yard in current location to match new retaining wall. Remove existing block wall and replace with taller white concrete/stucco retaining wall to match neighbors. Choose height of wall to maximize flat ground within front and side yard.