California Dreaming

Back from a weekend trip to California. Virgin America was having a sale so we took advantage of the super cheap rates to L.A. (89 each way!) and the fact my daughter is under two for another five days and went out to visit my best friend. (As a side note, I highly recommend Virgin America for their rates and the built-in entertainment features at each seat–makes it really convenient for family travel.) Perfect few days spent going to Disneyland, playing on the beach and hanging out with dear friends.

One afternoon we went to check out the beautiful oceanfront resort Terranea. Mediterranean (hence the name) in its styling, this property is perched high up on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Like many people, I always get a lot of inspiration from hotels–hotel bathrooms and bedrooms are obvious places to look for design ideas for your own home, but in a location like this, there’s just as much you can take from the grounds.

One of the keys to the beauty of the low maintenance landscaping here is in the layering of the different heights, shades and textures. Ok, so not all of us are lucky enough to live in perfect “75 degrees and sunny land” and therefore can’t copy this picture directly, but, take inspiration and translate it to your garden–for example by planting different varieties of hosta in front of higher ferns and throwing in a little ground cover…all super low maintenance, but still interesting.

If you don’t have a yard, bring a little Terranea into your home with an arrangement on your dining or coffee table. I love this arrangement created for a wedding at the resort.

This pool was one of my favorite areas with the white and orange popping against the blue of the pool, ocean and sky. Check out Restoration Hardware’s collection of outdoor pillows to get a similar feel in your backyard–try mixing the Cote D’Azur blue and white stripped pillow with the Sunbrella pillow in tangerine.

Note how they have potted grasses and flowers to soften up the pool patio. This could easily be replicated on a concrete patio in your back yard or a small city porch (or those porch pits for all you Chicago duplex down dwellers!) Always a good reminder that you don’t have to have huge expanses of yard and expensive professional landscaping to create a lush feeling. Here’s another example with gorgeous succulents.

There are amazing fire pits throughout the property. This was one of my favorites–it was the perfect hang out spot for our two families and a bottle of wine!

You could certainly recreate this little area in your own backyard. It’s really not a difficult project and one that I’m currently trying to convince my husband to undertake! Unilock has some pictures on their site and there are a number of online tutorials.

Or, maybe this much more contemporary version at the adult pool might be more up your alley. Check out the plexiglass fence that allows unobstructed views of the ocean, but blocks the wind and provides safety.

If you have less space, check out this cone gas fireplace that’s in some of the suites. Love this for a contemporary city condo patio.

Terranea is also award winning for being eco friendly. I love the fact that their feature restaurant, mar’sel, has an herb garden right outside its kitchen. The basil in your pasta is always fresh! I’m actually just about to plant veggies in the raised beds in my own garden so I’ll be sure to share pics shortly.

But, in the end, this resort is all about the views (and they really can’t be beat) so there are walking trails along the cliffs, perfect for a sunset stroll with your BFF!