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Montecito Landscape
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Pro Spotlight: Make Your Garden a Work of Art
A Santa Barbara-area landscape designer shares ways to create an exquisite hideaway that celebrates nature
Contenido patrocinado
Who: Lisa Cullen of Montecito Landscape
Where: Montecito, California
In her own words: “If someone has a beautiful garden, they’re more likely to get out, go for a walk, pick a flower and smell the lavender. This connection to nature is vital to life.”
Gardens have transformative potential, whether you’re looking for inspiration or a balm for life’s stresses. That potential is reached when a collection of plants becomes a masterpiece of intention, says Lisa Cullen, who co-owns Montecito Landscape with her husband, Chris, in their company’s namesake town. They work with clients in the Santa Barbara area to craft gardens with soul that are as profound and pleasing as any museum piece.
Where: Montecito, California
In her own words: “If someone has a beautiful garden, they’re more likely to get out, go for a walk, pick a flower and smell the lavender. This connection to nature is vital to life.”
Gardens have transformative potential, whether you’re looking for inspiration or a balm for life’s stresses. That potential is reached when a collection of plants becomes a masterpiece of intention, says Lisa Cullen, who co-owns Montecito Landscape with her husband, Chris, in their company’s namesake town. They work with clients in the Santa Barbara area to craft gardens with soul that are as profound and pleasing as any museum piece.
Rooted in artistry. Working as a professional artist, Lisa Cullen designed jewelry before switching to business and ultimately landscaping. “I got involved because of my husband, but I’ve always been a home gardener and I’m inspired by nature and the outdoors,” she says. “My passion is to connect people with the natural world.” She loves to hear how her projects have changed clients’ lives for the better.
Shaping the landscape. Cullen’s husband, a graduate of the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation, has loved nature since childhood. “He enjoys being outdoors: the plants, the colors, the fragrances and being rewarded with a beautiful garden after a day’s work,” Cullen says. After moving to Montecito in 1970, he helped early developers and residents craft the semirural ambience that the town has become known for.
Ready to create an outdoor haven? Read Cullen’s tips to cultivate a garden that transports and inspires.
Ready to create an outdoor haven? Read Cullen’s tips to cultivate a garden that transports and inspires.
1. Establish Your Theme
Determine your garden’s purpose and aesthetic: Are you dreaming of a contemplative space, or one that’s ideal for entertaining? Cullen calls this phase “defining the emotion of the garden.”
She and her husband designed the drought-friendly, formal Mediterranean garden seen here for clients in Montecito, drawing from the property’s Italianate style. The homeowners wanted a sophisticated alternative to the property’s large lawn, which had died due to water restrictions. The team created a cross-shaped gravel courtyard surrounded by drought-tolerant plants, including sage, Italian cypress and lavender. They also moved two existing olive trees to stand side by side, marking an entrance to the courtyard.
See more of this project
Determine your garden’s purpose and aesthetic: Are you dreaming of a contemplative space, or one that’s ideal for entertaining? Cullen calls this phase “defining the emotion of the garden.”
She and her husband designed the drought-friendly, formal Mediterranean garden seen here for clients in Montecito, drawing from the property’s Italianate style. The homeowners wanted a sophisticated alternative to the property’s large lawn, which had died due to water restrictions. The team created a cross-shaped gravel courtyard surrounded by drought-tolerant plants, including sage, Italian cypress and lavender. They also moved two existing olive trees to stand side by side, marking an entrance to the courtyard.
See more of this project
2. Use Your Assets
Decide what aspects make your site special and feature them in unexpected ways. “Assets could be large trees, ocean or mountain views, large boulders or even the terrain,” Cullen says. The team crafted the garden seen here, in the Santa Barbara foothills, by focusing on three main features: a boulder, a creek and oak woodland.
The owners didn’t originally consider the Volkswagen-size boulder an asset, but without it the garden would’ve seemed flat, Cullen says. The team opened up the space surrounding the boulder, clearing the view to golden oak woodlands in the background. They also cleaned out the property’s stream and created pathways to make every part of the garden accessible.
See more of this project
Decide what aspects make your site special and feature them in unexpected ways. “Assets could be large trees, ocean or mountain views, large boulders or even the terrain,” Cullen says. The team crafted the garden seen here, in the Santa Barbara foothills, by focusing on three main features: a boulder, a creek and oak woodland.
The owners didn’t originally consider the Volkswagen-size boulder an asset, but without it the garden would’ve seemed flat, Cullen says. The team opened up the space surrounding the boulder, clearing the view to golden oak woodlands in the background. They also cleaned out the property’s stream and created pathways to make every part of the garden accessible.
See more of this project
3. Create With Intention
Remove anything that detracts from your garden’s best features and diverges from the theme. “The plants you use need to work with the overall design and feel of the space,” Cullen says. She warns against incorporating plant trends and recommends a less-is-more approach.
The Montecito garden seen here was so overgrown and full of sheds and unsuitable construction that the clients were unaware of their ocean vista. After removing the clutter, the team built a mesa featuring a patio with views of the water. “The different levels create more interest and let the environment shine,” Cullen says. The patio complements and incorporates the property’s profusion of boulders, and includes a fireplace that blends with the landscape.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Lisa and Chris Cullen and examples of their work, visit Montecito Landscape’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Remove anything that detracts from your garden’s best features and diverges from the theme. “The plants you use need to work with the overall design and feel of the space,” Cullen says. She warns against incorporating plant trends and recommends a less-is-more approach.
The Montecito garden seen here was so overgrown and full of sheds and unsuitable construction that the clients were unaware of their ocean vista. After removing the clutter, the team built a mesa featuring a patio with views of the water. “The different levels create more interest and let the environment shine,” Cullen says. The patio complements and incorporates the property’s profusion of boulders, and includes a fireplace that blends with the landscape.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Lisa and Chris Cullen and examples of their work, visit Montecito Landscape’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Beautiful Gardens make people happy
For over 50 years, Chris and Lisa Cullen, owners of Montecito Landscape have... Leer más
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My daughter and I had absolutely the best experience with Montecito Landscape. Lisa and Chris expertly planned and executed one of the most beautiful gardens. We loved their ideas, their knowledge and...Más