California Landscape Design

“Bohemian Rhapsody”

Gold Award, Residential Category over $100,000

Project Location: Palm Springs, CA

This house had been sitting abandoned for two years when it was “adopted” by the current owners, who envisioned it as a private resort to enjoy with friends. Memories of carefree summers and bohemian travels informed the design choices. The interior is cozy and retro—a return to “Godmother’s cottage.”

Here is my conceptual soundbite for this 1930s Spanish retreat in Palm Springs, California: “Frieda Kahlo has a love child with Luis Barragán”—and it’s a fiesta of color! This raisin-hued mini-resort rises to kiss the mountain views, while its feet spill out to patios of chocolate sandstone accented with turquoise pebble. Deep earthy red walls slink behind espaliered papery bougainvillea, fragrant jasmine, palm, and citrus trees.

Strong sculptural agave and cactus punctuate this lush desert landscape. There is magic here, along with a variety of sitting areas and features created for relaxing around the pool: hammocks, an Asian canopy bed, and even a vintage trailer add to the bohemian exotic nature of the place. Here you can breakfast by a violet casita, daydream next to a Mexican-tiled fountain, or sip wine at sunset with all your friends at a generously sized seating area and fire pit.

Designed into the infrastructure are all the elements of a sustainable landscape: permeable paving, infiltration zones, laundry-to-landscape greywater system, a smart irrigation timer and drip irrigation, habitat plantings, and good soil-building practices. Because of these elements, native and migratory birds and butterflies are regular visitors.

The setback wall with berms on both sides was planted with cactus and desert plants to provide privacy and allure. A wider flagstone walkway leads to an enclosed courtyard.

Tequila agave stands boldly in front of the house.

Returning home after dinner, you are greeted by warm and inviting evening lighting.

Aqua and turquoise accents – and a vintage birdcage – distinguish the entry courtyard.

There are extraordinary views of the mountains behind the house from multiple seating areas.

A secluded daybed near the violet casita.

Dining by the shade of the palm.

Large gathering space with “Superman” fire pit.

Two double beds bookend the seating area – ideal for snuggling or stretching out.

Tiled Taelvera Fountain adds striking color and relaxing bubble music.

Vintage shell chairs and Mexican blankets form a cozy seating area.

Evening in front of the vintage Lincraft trailer that doubles as a bar for entertaining as well as storage space for cushions.

View at dusk across fir pit toward the house and mountains.

Evening view looking south across the pool.

JUDGES' FEEDBACK: What a colorful project and so well suited to Palm Springs! Good use of space and environmentally appropriate plants. Wonderful mix of thoughtful spaces create warm and diverse outdoor living. The retro RV is an excellent disguised storage shed. The plantings work well to provide shade and privacy with architectural scale and size. The drama of the Yuccas along the pool and their reflection is captivating while not overwhelming the space. The trio of Olive trees around the fire corner really help soften the space, which could be overwhelming in scale. The color selection throughout is mindful and harmonious. It’s an obvious evening space to entertain and enjoy the sunsets.

ABOUT LAURA MORTON: Laura Morton is a transplanted Canadian, thriving in Los Angeles since 1991. Based in Paris before that, she enjoyed 15 years of living and traveling around the globe while working in the fashion industry.These journeys permitted a rare experience of many different cultures. The study of languages, local art, and architecture developed into a style and design vocabulary that is truly her own.

Laura’s formal training with plants and exterior design began in 1995 after enrolling in both the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture programs at UCLA. Classes with Jan Smithen (Southern California’s garden guru) at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden firmly planted in her a broad knowledge of proper gardening practices.

Ongoing involvement within the horticultural community encourages discussion and responsibility of appropriate garden practices in Southern California, especially in terms of fostering sustainability, responsible water usage, natural wildlife habitat, and ocean-friendly best practices.

Laura remains an active member and Fellow of  the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (for which she co-founded the APLD Greater LA District in 2009, and served as California Chapter President in 2012).

She is also a member of the Mediterranean Garden Society and California Garden & Landscape Historical Society. The respect of her peers has led to lecturing engagements on related subjects in her field for the LA Garden Show at the L.A. County Arboretum and the Gardens of the Mind seminar for the Garden Conservancy, as well as for other organizations.

Today, Laura draws upon multiple artistic disciplines, working out of her West Hollywood studio as a horticultural consultant and landscape designer, creating award-winning landscapes and cohesive outdoor living spaces for a wide variety of residential clients.