by Sacha McCrae Living Gardens Landscape Design San Clemente, CA “Laguna Charm” Residential Category over $100,00 Project Location: Laguna Niguel, CA The hardscape material selection was inspired by European gardens and was designed to feel intimate and elegant while being durable. Gravel, cobble, wood, and natural stone were used— restrained materials that created a desired sense of timelessness. View fullsize The front yard “After” the renovation. It looks like a different home! The arbor over the entry steps was added to frame the entry and create a sense of scale with the house. View fullsize The front yard slope was graded to accommodate the new entry arbor steps and pathway to the front door. View fullsize A flagstone pathway leads to an additional seating area and a fountain located off the dining room. View fullsize The back yard “After” the renovation. With a four-tree bosque and overhead string lights, it’s elegant and inviting. The trees will provide shade as they grow in. View fullsize The back yard “Before” the renovation. High on the clients’ wish list was space for a dining table that could seat 8–10 as well as a water feature, fire feature, BBQ, and shade. View fullsize The new BBQ counter has an arbor overhead for shade while cooking. View fullsize The graveled seating area can seat 10. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize A selection of low-water plants included grasses for softness and movement, succulents and evergreen plants for structure, and long-blooming perennials for year-round interest and color. Photographs by Brett Hilton & Sacha McCrae. JUDGES' FEEDBACK: This design made a dramatic improvement to the entire garden surrounding the house. From “Brady Bunch” to elegant, the project looks established and settled. It’s a place that has space to enjoy inside and out. The use of white and its repetition accents nicely. The use of gravel and its color blends well. Great materials, surfaces, and layers of plantings. The plantings support the look of the home and work with the environment. Such a wonderful, sweet character has transformed this home. Well done! ABOUT SACHA MCCRAE: Born in London, England, Sacha McCrae was raised by parents that love to garden. Their imaginative spirit allowed them to create a garden that was peaceful and relaxing for adults, a wonder to explore for children and a wonderful example of landscape design. Sacha and her siblings spent hours exploring, imagining and creating. The Garden Designer seed started to grow. Sacha re-located to Spain in her early twenties after a successful career in Real Estate sales, and opened Shanti Interiors, an interior design retail showroom, the first of its kind in the area. She earned repeat customers by offering honest, reliable and thoughtful design solutions accompanied by exceptional customer service. She created a unique ambience in her store that brought people through the door, and she still loves to search out unique or handmade pieces specifically suited to each customer’s needs. Sacha has traveled England and Europe extensively, and has been inspired by her visits to many of the world’s greatest Palaces, architectural buildings, stately homes and gardens including The Palace of Versailles in France, La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and Blenheim Palace in England. Sacha has a great personal sense of style, creative ideas inspired by her European background and works hard to please her clients. She arrived in California in 2000 and has been creating gardens ever since. Sacha is the founder and Designer at Living Gardens Landscape Design BACK TO CA APLD AWARD WINNERS