Professional garden designers deserve to have a nice yard at home but usually don't get around to treating themselves to their own design work!

I waited 13 years to create a dream yard for my family.

So, don't feel too badly if you haven't tackled your landscape project yet.

 

Where's the Garden Police When You Need One?

 

Shirley Bovshow, designer co-host of garden makeover show, Garden Police.

 

As garden designer and co-host of Discovery Home channel's "Garden Police" show, I was especially embarrassed of how my yard looked during the period I was taping the show.

How ironic!

On Garden Police, my design partner, Michael Glassman and I "patrolled" the streets of Los Angeles looking for the ugliest front yard on the block and then "busted" the homeowners for design infringements.

After  the homeowners agreed to invest some "sweat equity" in their yards, Michael and I would design a new yard for them.

 

FYI- Do you recognize the copycat show, "Desperate Landscapes" on DIY?

Our show was first and I just made up a rhyme!

 

 

My yard looked worse to me than the properties we made over for the show!

 

I kept my disaster yard a secret from my co-host and producers.

Whenever a script or prop for the show had to be delivered, I always volunteered to pick it up from the studio.

There was NO way I was going to let anyone related to my show know that this Garden Police had neglected her own yard!

I feared I would be "exposed" and ridiculed!

The reality was, I was investing all my time making other peoples yards look beautiful and I had no time for my own.

 

Need I mention, "The cobbler's children have no shoes?

 

 

Shirley handpicking the tumbled stone for her new dry stack retaining wall.

 

The garden makeover projects we completed for Garden Police were "real landscape" jobs- complete with proper drainage, irrigation and construction.

Garden television makeovers are exhausting to do and as real-life landscape designers, Michael and I insisted that the yards we made over be done to professional standards, not just for "TV."

 

After the cameras stopped rolling, Michael and I would stay late into the evening at the projects to make sure everything was installed correctly.

When we weren't taping consecutive garden makeovers each week, I was working on landscape projects for my Los Angeles area clients.

 

With this over-taxed schedule, can you blame me for ignoring my own yard!!

The only time I had to work in my backyard was on weekends.

 

Typical Tract Lot Yard

 

My typical suburban tract backyard- a rectangular yard with a weed infested lawn and a boring concrete patio that offered no shade!

 

The Fantasy Yard

I longed for a "destination backyard" that reminded me of the places I visited during my honeymoon in Italy.

My list of "design must-haves" included a dynamic multi-level entertainer's yard with outdoor kitchen, dining room, living room, a new "master bedroom" outdoor spa retreat, waterfall and pond, ornamental and edible  gardens,  a firepit, fireplace and some shade structures!

The plan was to implement double duty landscape features to get the most use of our limited space.

• Patio walls function as built in seating at a comfortable 18" high
• Built in fireplace seating functions as a screen for the master bedroom above ground spa.
• Built in fire pit curved bench is also a retaining wall for the new raised gardens.
• A carefully positioned fireplace to screen an ugly view of neighbors yard.
• A landscape full of edible plants that functioned as shade plants, privacy screens and more.

Considering my yard functions as design studio and lab the challenge was integrating all these structures with style.

 

Prior to the landscape redesign, our yard was practically abandoned by the family and rarely used for five years.

With no shade structure for the patio and an unattractive garden, only our dog, Whiggy found the yard useful.

Our trash was his treasure.

 

This is what my yard used to look like.

 

Teaser Photos!

 

This is the outdoor area that I transformed into a "master bedroom spa retreat" instead of expanding my bedroom.

 

My husband enjoys the spa every morning and sometimes at night too.

Finally, the yard is being used daily!

 

Design Tip:

When a spa is located near the master bedroom it is more likely to be used than if you have to wander the length of your yard to get to it!

 

Ready to see the rest of my garden makeover transformation?

Here it is!

 

Watch the  complete slideshow, especially the before and after photos that are in the begining.

You can control the slides manually by advancing or rewinding arrows.

 

 

Susan Harris of Garden Rant blog visited me and took the following video of my yard.

 

Guess what?

I'm not embarrassed of my yard anymore!

Shirley

 

 

GardenCenterTV.com  Video Post #1

Independent Garden Center Show, Chicago 2008:

Shoppers at independent garden centers will have an added value service provided by Monrovia Growers, in-store boutiques that offer outdoor living and garden design ideas! Monrovia Growers, one of the world’s leading producers of container grown plants is setting up a “boutique within a store” display area in garden centers throughout the country.

 Don’t expect to see this level of inspiration in your big box stores- Monrovia has a staff of visual merchandising experts and  talented designers whose sole responsibility will be to keep the garden design ideas coming season after season. Monrovia does not sell their high quality plants in big box stores anyway and their stock is highly distinquished from their “anemic cousins” offered at discount outlets.

Monrovia worked the “foliage and texture” power combination to bring color to the autumn garden. I’m sold!

I got a preview of Monrovia’s design prowess at the Independent Garden Center show I attended in Chicago a few weeks ago. Their autumn container garden display was “out of the box” with uncommon use of landscape plants like phormiums, carex, huecheras and cotoneasters anchoring vignettes for the porch along with their signature topiaries.

A sense of playfulness and humor was evident in the use of unconventional “pumpkin” planters and the use of contrasting texture and form combinations like yellow mums and toffee-colored carex.

    

 Check out my video interview with Monrovia visual merchandising guru, Aaron Shiver at the Independent Garden Center Show.

Monrovia plants have always been popular with design professionals and now the general consumer can enjoy the full benefit of their quality plants along with some great ideas for using them in the garden and other outdoor areas.

Monrovia’s whimsical holiday display opens our minds up to the different possibilities.

 

Next Up on GardenCenterTV.com: Hort Couture for the “Plantonista!”

 

Eden Maker TV  Post #2

The Villa Garden landscape project for my clients, the Grinbaum family of Calabasas, California is forging ahead at a great pace.

One of the design elements, the new patio off of the formal dining room is almost complete.

 

 

Before: This paved pass-through area is the future site for an open-beam patio. In order to make this area more accessible, a double french door will replace the large window on the right to provide access to the site from the formal dining room.

We are calling this the "sunset" garden patio because of its orientation to the west.

Design Tip: Create new useful areas in your yard by replacing windows with doors. Most people avoid using patios that don't have direct access from the house.  

 

All of the pavers in this area were carefully removed and stored in a safe place for later use.

Although we are introducing flagstone as a flooring element in other parts of the yard, we decided to reuse the pavers in the patio areas and acid stain them a more "earthy" color to compliment the natural stone.

 

Design Tip: Setting pavers in a sand base instead of a concrete pad eliminates excess water runoff as the water is absorbed into the ground. There are many styles and colors of pavers to choose from.

 

 

The 4" inch by 4" inch steel columns help carry the load of the patio wood beams.

Notice all the foundation work is deep in the ground and secured with rebar

. Much of the work involved in creating patios is underneath the ground where no one will ever see it, except the workers and inspectors!

Once the foundation is in, construction moves quickly.

The steel columns will be wrapped with hollow, stone textured columns to give the design a finished look and tie it to the architecture of the house.

Design Tip: Structural steel posts have the advantage over wood because of reduced maintenance, durability and strength.  They can be painted and used "as is" but look better wrapped with a wood veneer or column depending on your architectural style.

 

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Charlie, of Charlie's Construction provided a few different stain color samples for us to review. It is a good idea to create a side by side color sample on the wood that will be used so you get a true color saturation reading.

 

Can you guess which color we chose?

 

Design Tip: Always use outdoor grade lumber for patio construction like this Douglas Fir beam. Wood stains range from clear to opaque and in-between. Milk paint is also an option if you are looking for an eco- friendly alternative. Traditional paint offers more color variety, but requires more upkeep due to paint chipping.   

 

Pre-stained beams are ready to be hung. (We chose the darkest color- "Oxford Brown")  

 

The 6" by 12" inch header goes up first, followed by the smaller, 6" by 10" inch beams.

This labor intensive work requires care and should only be preformed by licensed and bonded contractors.

 

Design Tip: There are hundreds of decorative cuts that can be used on the end of the beams. If there is existing wood work in your architecture it's a good idea to match the detailing  when creating new wood elements

 

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The patio beams are up and we're now chalking out the patio edges and walkway areas.

Homeowner Joe Grinbaum (right), walks the future patio area as project foreman for Southern California Landscape, Eddy Martinez looks on.

Once the perimeter area is confirmed, an edging will be installed and soil dug out to make room for a sand base and the pavers.

The Grinbaum's are almost ready to party in this once-neglected and unused area.

 

  Design Tip: It is helpful to have your outdoor furniture selected before patio completion so you can set it out and make sure you have comfortable traffic space and ample patio area.  

 

 

View of the new patio from bottom of the hill. 

You can see the boulder retaining walls we built to support the area that was built up to expand the patio area.

 

After- A mediterranean garden flourishes along the perimeter of the generous-sized patio!

 

After- Potted plants and strategically placed furniture are employed as "space dividers" in the long patio.

Long patios benefit from "space planning" and the  creation of a series of smaller intimate areas.

 

After- The patio is nestled within a fragrant and cheerful garden, full of Mediterranean plants, Citrus trees and colorful vines.

 

Mission accomplished!

 

 

Visit us again at EdenMaker.TV for more "nosey neighbor" updates on the building of "Villa Gardens."

 

Read the previous update.    

Whether I’m designing a landscape for my clients in Los Angeles or for a family on garden makeover  television, one thing remains the same- the neighbors are always curious about what is going on  ”next door,” so I started EdenMaker.TV!

EdenMaker.TV will feature video, photos and progress notes of my real world landscaping projects to satisfy the curiosity of my client’s friends, family and “nosey neighbors!”

It’s my hope that while peeking into these projects, viewers will take away design ideas, problem solving tips and get an inside look at the effort involved in creating a dream landscape. It’s dirty work! Literally!

You will also meet some of Los Angeles most talented landscaping professionals, like the award winning design/build firm of Southern California Landscape who I partner with to create these outdoor sanctuaries.

   

Look for updates on my current project, the Villa Gardens on  EdenMaker.TV.  

Ever wonder what is going on in your neighbor’s backyard when trash bins are delivered, bobcats go in and out of the yard and landscaper’s trucks seem to be a permanent fixture on the street?

Someone is getting a new landscape!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before Photo of Front Yard

It’s natural to be a little bit curious, even nosey about what is going on next door.

I understand.

As a landscape designer in Los Angeles and garden television host, I’m used to onlookers trying to sneak a peek at the action….so I decided to do something about it!

 

Go Behind the Scenes!

I’m  inviting  you behind the construction gates of one of my projects in Calabasas, California through photo and video posts of the progress on EdenMaker TV.

There is much to learn by watching someone else’s dream garden unfold, though I will warn you,  things get dirty before they get pretty!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grinbaum Family

 

The first project I want to share with you is the making of “Villa Gardens” for one of my favorite clients, the Grinbaum family.

I know this family well because I designed another landscape for them years ago and am familiar with their tastes and lifestyle.

They are a dream to work with because they are knowledgeable (husband Joe is a builder/contractor), have great taste, (wife Randi often suggests ideas for the design) and are so reasonable!

 

Southern California Landscape

My clients deserve the best, so I recommended the award winning landscape design/build company, Southern California Landscape to co-design the project and take charge of the construction.

 

Principal, Javier Martinez is one of the landscape industry’s best talents with detail perfect design instincts and no ego!

Now, that is a rare combination.

Javier and I  bounce ideas off each other, sometimes we agree, sometimes we don’t but the Grinbaum’s get the final word.

I’m excited about combining our design ideas and you’ll get to see the results in upcoming posts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A masonry craftsman from Southern California Landscape works on the pool makeover, replacing a tile water line with stacked stone.

 

Meet Charlie, one of the fun-loving pro’s I get to work with.

There is also another passionate contractor on the job, Charlie of Charlie’s construction who is handling the carpentry work.

Charlie is fun to work with, resourceful and gets the work done in record time.

 

What is “Villa Gardens?”

When I first saw the Grinbaum’s yard a couple of years ago, I thought, “This is a Mediterranean villa ready to happen, but not quite there.”

The house was attractive but had a forgettable quality about it.

It lacked personality and the personal signature of the homeowners who have a fondness for Italian, French and natural garden style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lose the Topiary and “Template Design”

The classic-leaning hardscape and manicured gardens were so “un-Grinbaum.”

I knew I had to get in there and create a garden that can “shake its hair loose.”

The hardscape featured lots of cast concrete detailing- not a bad thing, just not a “Grinbaum thing.”

It will be replaced with warm, natural flagstone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Say “goodbye” to this boring, uninspired hillside.

 

The Design Plan

The core projects within the design plan include:

• New outdoor kitchen, chef’s garden and sports bar for barbecue enthusiast Joe. Yes, Joe will be watching ESPN outside.
• New covered courtyard lounge with shade garden and fountain
• New, covered “Sunset patio” located off of the formal dining room for small scale entertaining or overflow sitting.
• New custom fireplace with built-in sofa for the existing outdoor living room patio.
• Complete makeover of existing pool, spa and deck from classic design to natural design. Sculpted stone fountains spill into the pool.
• New, hillside gardens with stone and boulder accents.
• New front and backyard gardens featuring low water, low maintenance and year round color-producing perennial plants.
• The house will be painted. It is white now.
• New perimeter fence and architectural gates.
• Golf tee
• New flagstone paving in garden areas.

Follow us in our progress and pick up some design tips and ideas for your yard.

If  you are in Los Angeles and would like us to design your yard, email me through the contact form on this web site.

See you soon!

Shirley Bovshow

 

 

A lush, garden outdoor family room replaces an unused entry patio.

 

Imagine coming home to an inviting outdoor family room like this?

Why go indoors at all when you can enjoy an outdoor family room with fireplace, sitting areas, fountain and water garden and more!

 

Before-The concrete patio in the entry flows to the lawn area and serves no purpose except as an “outdoor closet!”

 

Before- The patio served as a “catch all” area for bikes, toys and dead plants!

 

Think “outside of the box “when creating usable garden rooms in your yard.

Don’t overlook your front-yard or often ignored side yard  as a site for a destination area either.

 

This is exactly what landscape designer, Michael Glassman and I did on our show, “Garden Police”when we transformed an unused concrete entry patio into an outdoor family room.

 

 

First, we separated the new”family room”  from the lawn area and created a sense of enclosure with a  simple  “translucent” wood post fence detailed with copper wire.

 

Simple wood fence built with 4 x 4 wood posts, heavy gauge copper wire and an antique medallion for detail.

Not all fences are solid!

 

The antique medallion was from my partner, Michael Glassman’s private stash!

 

An illusion of separation is all you need sometimes to mark a transition to another space in the  yard.

 

 

Next, we installed  a basalt fountain and  surrounding “water garden” to  serve as a focal point for the family room.

Plants include  papyrus, asparagus fern, daylily, topped with cobalt blue tumbled glass.

This is  our impressionistic version of a bog.

 

The patio was furnished with one style of  garden container in different sizes for continuity and  with varied  plantings.

 

When planters are uniform in style, they tends to look as though they are a part of the architecture of your home,  as a site planter.

Select one style of planter when you want to make a design statement.

 

The cinder-block walls were softened with over sized plantings of Japanese privet and Tibouchina or “Princess Flower” planted directly in front of them.

Drip irrigation supplies the water.

 

If you analyze the design, you will notice that many of the makeover elements are “ready made” or  can be bought at your local garden center.

• A pre-fabricated outdoor fireplace.
• Basalt water feature
• Pottery
• Outdoor furniture and rugs from a home store like Restoration Hardware
• Plants

 

The only design element that was custom made was the wood and copper wire fence.

You can construct that yourself!

A complete patio makeover like this can be easily replicated if you have a small patio with access to the house.

 

Coral-colored,  ”Nancy Reagan” rose contrasts nicely with the purple flowers of the Tibouchina.

 

Copper window box brings the garden up close

We detailed the window with a copper window-box to marry the architecture of the house with the garden.

 

Prefabricated fireplaces like this one by Designs by Gary, make hearth-side relaxation a reality in less than an  hour!

 

Opposite view of the new outdoor family room!

 

Furnish your outdoor family room with a rocking chair. This one from Restoration Hardware.

 

Go outside and take a look at your wasted spaces and consider  the possibilities!

 

For more details on this outdoor family room makeover, read the episode recap on my web site and look for the Garden Police show on the Discovery Home Channel!

 

If you enjoyed this blog post, Create A “Garden Family Room” From Wasted Space, please share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter by using the share buttons below!

I’d love to answer your  landscape design questions so please leave a comment below!

This DIY modular outdoor fireplace was installed in a project for my Garden Police Show.

I like it enough to put one in my yard!

I installed a modular fireplace made by Mirage Stone in my outdoor kitchen area, customized it and am  amazed  how easy it was to put together!

It’s the perfect weekend DIY project when you want a huge payoff with minimal work.

Playing a board game under the stars and in front of a roaring fire makes me feel like I’m on vacation!

The fireplace was shipped to my house in a large box that contained several numbered pieces and easy to read instructions.

The beauty of this particular model is that no mortar is needed to hold the fireplace together.

The pieces are all cut and mitered to fit together like a three dimensional jigsaw puzzle and takes about an hour to install with the help of a second person.

It took me a little longer because, being a landscape designer, I felt compelled to add my own touch to the mass produced fireplace and customize it!

Segment: “In Bare Despair”

Segment: “Curb Repel”

*See more garden projects, before and after landscape photos and the latest in garden design with regular visits to  EdenMaker™s Blog!

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