Landscaping en la Jungla

We have spent an enormous amount of time in the function and look of the house. Now the question is what do you want to do with the outside? You drive by homes and see where they just have planted things, or have actually created outdoor spaces. Robert has provided names of two companies that landscape and we have meetings with each.

Christian takes us to a house near ours that he is working on. He walks us through the plan, what the client wanted and how he is creating that, how he is managing the water (Water management is a constant topic of conversation – in construction, over drinks with friends, at the supermarket), how it fits with the house, the land and nature. Back at our lot, we walk him through the house and site, and talk about how we see using the space. He asks us what we like and don’t like, what we want from the space, and offers big ideas for consideration. Flowers, fruit trees, herbs, low maintenance, separate spaces, access to the forest in the back, nothing too formal, it shouldn’t look suburban or residential, natural, comfortable to walk on in bare feet – the demands are not too daunting I hope.

Two hours gone with lots of creativity and excitement – we leave agreeing to advise of our decision before we leave.

Johel is a plant guy. He sees where to put the plants and how they will suit the space. Within minutes of arriving at the site he is talking about this type here and that type there. Yes we can build a walkway to the jungle, I think we should plant along the walkway. We go to the nursery to see plants and examples of his work. Stunning plantings, all in the context of a really clear plan of how the space works. Again we will get back to him before we leave.

The decision is not very difficult – Christian is needed to help us set out the concept – absent knowing how we want to use the space and where we want to put the plants, it will be difficult for Johel to do his best work . We call and arrange to meet Christian to sign contracts. What was all of 5 minutes to sign off turned into an hour of drawing – a better design for the outdoor shower – to make it look more organic and interesting. Clearly we made the right decision.