Trading a Pool for a Coastal View
The swimming pool was cracked, the kids were now adults and the cost of water was rising. It was time to rethink how to use the garden starting by doubling the size of the patio, constructing a simple raised terrace to take advantage of coastal views, creating a new swath of green and surrounding it with low-water plants, gravel and flag stepping stones.
Flowing from the edge of the expanded patio to the newly-revealed coastal view, Myoporum parvifolium provides a swath of rich green with no mowing and very little water.
The patio doubled in size, edged with cut flagstone and a rustic path of stone and gravel leading to a choice of two outdoor rooms.
I call this an "archipelago" approach - Handley gravel forms the sea with flagstone and clumps of planting serving as islands. Minimal irrigation and care is the goal.
View from the wine-sipping raised terrace.
By raising this new terrace a few feet, views of the coast became part of the garden. Simple construction made it affordable.
One side of the patio is bounded by a comfortable flagstone-topped wall for extra seating when the generations come to visit.
BEFORE: After the pool was removed and filled in, a blank canvas remained, but shrubs blocked the coastal view.
BEFORE: A large shade tree inspired an extra dining area for warm summer afternoons.