Dolores Street
wood raised veggie beds. These look nicer at least initially. What will these look like in 10 years (or how long do they last? Same question re tin tubs). Also need to understand how wood beds would be secured from gophers/ground squirrels. Christina likes these sorts of wooden raised beds if needed
tile/stone. The tile mosaic on wall by fountain, or something like this is potentially interesting (DE). Not the fountain itself so much as the idea of the tile inset on a wall like that. Christina says the steps etc are a little too bricky. Coping type is cheesy. Fountain tile pattern more interesting.
stucco wall with planting. Yes! Something like this framing the lot from the corner of Mirada and Dolores, allowing us to open up approach to the lot from both streets yet provide privacy at the pool seems like it would be amazing. Curious if we could get away with this much green stuff or if we might end up drier? Christina notes that if we go with something like this on the road side of the pool wall, that we may wish to have an interior path/trail that allows for the boys and others to walk around and explore etc.
The stones/tiles seem super nice. Some elements might work for seating area around Pétanque.
Something like this seating area next to the pétanque terrain seems great/will be needed! Christina says pavers path in foreground not good. Xmas bushes not her style. Crushed stone further back good.
This is nice. Juxtaposition of stone pebbles and plantings great. Curious if we might extend pebbles on sidewalk strip along Dolores, effectively matching neighboring lot at 776 Dolores. Christina says nice and interesting plants.
rustic stone patio & coping. DE loves pretty much everything shown here. Totally don’t understand how to get pool hardscape practically integrated with plants in gaps between stones. See Christina’s earlier note re ants around the pool.
The planting coming off the balcony is kinda interesting. Not in love with other stuff shown here. Christina says tilework around fountain somewhat interesting.
Wooden gate in wall potentially interesting. Christina says looks sparse in terms of plantings.
stucco & wrought iron wall. Not fan of this specific style of iron work. But some type of rustic ironwork could work. Also, something much more modern based on coreten steel may be interesting to think about if we could figure out how to pull off the glaring juxtaposition of new in the context of old. The ground planting shown here may be cool. Christina does not like brickwork. Doesn’t have strong feelings re plantings. Doesn’t love it.
fireplace, pergola. Beautiful log holder in the fireplace itself. Christina doesn’t like hardscape.
gravel courtyard. Could be nice if it makes sense somewhere specific.
pool tile & coping. I find this tile to be amazing! Coping would need to make sense with everything else. Christina does not like brick.
stucco wall. Yes. I’m a sucker for stucco walls. Finding the right plantings for both sides will be let. Eg, the reddish / orange flowers we have at the pool right now make the bees so happy that the bees never bother anybody. Christina doesn’t wish to celebrate anything specific here.
overall style. Not a huge fan of this style tile or walkers. The overall plantings feel a bit too staged to me. Might prefer an more disheveled look overall. Christina doesn’t like hardscape or type. Says some plants interesting, such as those a bit more succulent looking. Darker colors peeking out too.
gravel & flagstone. Likely prefer one or the other. Ie, crushed stone alone, or pavers with tough ground cover in gaps. Christina likes flowers but also does not like crushed stone plus pavers together. One or the other.
stucco wall , tile fountain. It’s interesting to think about a wall fountain. Perhaps one on the wall on the SE end of the pool (nearest Dolores) would work well? Christina doesn’t like this tile.
Christina not a fan of what is shown here.
patio material, fireplace. Pavers seem a bit too sterile for me. Christina doesn’t love hardscape here. Aspects of fireplace interesting.
stone raised beds. Very interesting. Unsure if practical from a cost/benefit perspective but would be curious to learn more. Christina prefers wood planters over stone.
fireplace, gravel patio. The feeling of this scene gives me good vibes. Unsure if we can get away with such a big chimney. Christina thinks fire place and chimney too patriarchal.
pebble mosaic detail. Christina not a fan. Seems cheesy to her.
I’m curious about use of rock for the modest elevation retaining walls. That could be nice. Christina feels the opposite. Also adds hardscape potentially interesting.
Nice ground cover and gravelly surface. Christina would prefer either stone or crushed gravel/stone. Says plantings ok.
tile. Too modern/simple geometric. Christina agrees / does not like.
modern spanish. Super interesting. I’m wondering if we can pull off such a transition and go from old style at the house to modern style down by the pool. Christina says too modern for this house.
bocce court. For the win! Just noting that we are tasked with implementing a pétanque terrain, which doesn’t have to be regulation (definitely not!) but may require slightly sturdier surface building. Christina is very happy looking at this photo.
pool coping & patio. Too plain?
plants. What type of grass is that? Christina likes the three succulent looking plants.
boulders, stone slab as steps. Could be fun as needed and as appropriate.
boulders, gravel natural style. Lots to like here. Christina does not like the fire pit, etc.
stone, boulders, pebbles. Amazing.
coping & patio. Potentially interesting patio surface. Christina not a fan.
Impressive. Perhaps too dark in terms of specific plantings? Christina doesn’t like the rock retaining wall. Background retaining wall looks better to her.
overall style, drystack stone walls. Nice! Christina likes plantings but not rock wall.
terra cotta tile, fireplace. Inset tiles above fireplace interesting. Shape of hearth interesting although unsure practical or totally desired. Christina finds shape and style of fireplace interesting too.
stucco, overall style. Shape of fireplace hearth and also separate log nook both appealing. Built in bench has potential. Water basin in foreground intriguing. Christina does not like more modern fireplace style. She likes built ins with wall. She likes the hardscape style although would prefer a different color perhaps more closely matching terra-cotta.
pool coping/deck style. Defer to Smolke. She does not like.
patio/grass, pool coping
Tile, stone patio. There’s a lot going on here. Ie, super busy stylistically. Tile itself perhaps? Smolke not a fan.
Limestone patio, grass near pool. Personally I like the look and feel of grass near pool but totally unclear how practical this is from a maintenance perspective.
Tile. Not a fan of this specific tile but do like weather appearance if that makes sense.
pavers, tiled hot tub. Feels too stamped/too coarse grained.
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Q