Articles: Casa de los Arcos: An Evolution of a Garden
Los Angeles-based landscape designer Laura Morton began working on Casa de los Arcos in 2006 when owners Susan Kandel and Peter Lunenfeld hired her to redesign and transform their West Hollywood property. Browse our photo gallery that captures the evolution of this vibrant living space.
(Click thumbnail to start the slides, then toggle between shots with onscreen arrows or your keyboard.)
House and walled front courtyard beging to take shape, spring 2011. Photo: Jeff Dunas
In 2008, after the garden’s initial phase of completion, iris, asclepias, and other wildflowers from the Theodore Payne Foundation, share space in the decomposed granite in the entryway courtyard. Photo: Jeff Dunas
The tiled fountain gently gurgles amidst the bones of the young garden. Photo: Jeff Dunas
Entry courtyard in spring 2013 with maturing plantings including ‘Tiny Tower’ cypress and wall-trained ceanothus flushed with violet-blue bloom. Photo: Jeff Dunas
Entry courtyard in 2011 begins to fill in. Photo: Jeff Dunas
Soon after planting in 2008, night-blooming cereus, Cupressus ‘Tiny Tower’, Arctostaphaphylus ‘Dr Hurd’ and Chamaerops humilis var. argentea create textured interest for the entry courtyard and provide screening from the street. Photo: Jeff Dunas
Shadow and light animate a living tableau featuring a large clay vessel off the porte-cochere. Photo: Jeff Dunas.
Ironwork detail on the inside of the front drive gate. Photo: Jeff Dunas
Another view of the front courtyard featuring clipped and wall-trained plants, and the silvery foliage of Chamaeops humilis var. argentea.Photo: Jeff Dunas
Catalina tile and a Bauer pot add warm historic touches to the courtyard while cobbles and a decomposed granite pathway maintain permeability and feel authentic to the Early California style. Photo: Jeff Dunas
The mature front courtyard offers visitors colorful foliage, contrasting textures, and a congenial inviting pathway framed by blooming freesias, and an espaliered ceanothus flushed with violet blue blooms. Photo: Jeff Dunas.
Planting up to the pool coping creates a sense of intimacy and shelter while a blooming Brugmansia adds a fragrant, sensuous note. Photo: Jeff Dunas
Installing the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) Photo: Jeff Dunas
Awaiting shade.
Today the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera provides welcome shade to the pool deck and the bougainvillea densely covers the awning over the master bedroom. Photo: Jeff Dunas
Pre-revival the underutilized driveway was also home to unsightly pool equipment
A view up the drive toward the front gate with the kitchen/bar area on the left. Photo: Jeff Dunas
Both house and garden got a clean slate before renovation. Here the view is down the drive toward the garage after sandblasting and before plastering. Photo: Jeff Dunas
Vivid blue draws the eye down the drive past strawberry and herb plantings toward the outdoor kitchen and dining area. Photo: Jeff Dunas
View down a currently unused driveway that’s doubles as an outdoor grill and bar and furnished with edible plantings. Photo: Jeff Dunas
Decorative paneling disguises the garage doors adding depth to what is now a versatile dining area. Photo: Jeff Dunas
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