Rustic Terraced Gardens & Lakefront Retreat

Rustic Terraced Gardens & Lakefront Retreat

This large-scale California project fully transformed a Mediterranean-style property into a timeless, rustic retreat with extensive outdoor living and spectacular lakefront access. The design successfully addresses the multi-level topography by integrating natural stone retaining walls and soft, meandering paths, creating the feeling of a deeply established, old-world garden.

Features of the Rustic Terraced Gardens

• Multi-Level Terracing: Extensive use of natural stone walls and terracing creates usable, flat garden beds and seating areas on a challenging slope, providing defined zones and controlling erosion.
• Winding Flagstone Paths: Irregular flagstone walkways lead visitors through the property, establishing a naturalistic flow that invites exploration from the main entry down to the waterfront.
• Lakefront Access & Dock: The rear of the property opens to the water with a simple, elegant wood dock, providing functional access for boating and intimate waterside seating areas.
• Mediterranean Planting Palette: The lush, layered design features classic Mediterranean elements like tall cypress trees and palms, complemented by masses of flowering shrubs, ensuring year-round color and texture.
• Integrated Seating Nooks: Various small, secluded seating areas are tucked into the landscape—perched on natural rock or overlooking the lake—providing quiet places for relaxation and reflection.

The entire property now feels like a harmonious extension of its architecture, offering a secluded, naturalistic escape that blends rugged stonework with the softness of a mature garden.