Cowan Heights

The feeling upon entering this back yard is discovering a serene, woodland retreat, reminiscent of the owner’s home country of Poland. An existing grove of tall pines on the property set the tone for the pool design and planting palette. A natural organic shape was chosen not only to maximize the use of the space but also to draw the eye back into the property, disguising the fact that this is a city lot. Five years later, the clients asked for a solid roof patio cover with outdoor kitchen and fireplace to be integrated into the design without sacrificing any of the existing hardscape or plantings. Native California woodland plants surround the pool, such as Coast Live Oak, California Lilac, Western Sword Fern, Manzanita, Oregon Grape, Lyme Grass and Coffeeberry, along with mediterranean plants such as Arbutus ‘Marina’, Rockrose, Artemesia, and Sea Lavender.