Baxter Residence
Los Angeles, California
A couple living in the hills of Echo Park dreamed of doing laps in a long pool framed by native gardens.
Working within a small lot on one of the steepest streets in Los Angeles, SALT created a sun-drenched deck embraced by an aromatic, flowering grove of California species.
Echoing a Hillside Habitat
Respecting the family’s desire for a drought-tolerant palette of local species, SALT preserved an existing oak tree and added dense plantings that are almost exclusively native.
Salvia and desert willow add shade and woody aromas on hot afternoons. Shrubby toyon ensures privacy around the edges of the garden. Smaller, delicate flowering species and tufted grasses add color and texture at the edges of the deck and paths.
Pool with a View
SALT flattened the site to accommodate the garden’s centerpiece: a jewel-like pool, tiled in soft turquoise creating a mirror reflecting the picturesque landscape. A retaining wall is tucked under the far edge of the site, opening it towards views of the surrounding hills.
The family’s teenage children can run barefoot on the wooden deck and over natural stepping stones set in soft groundcover planting. Comfortable furniture and the trickling of a small water feature invite lingering and relaxation at the pool’s edge.
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