Rich Acres

This Orinda garden was designed for entertaining. We replaced the lawn with a multi-level patio, including a serious chef’s kitchen with both a gas and Kamodo grill, refrigerator, warming drawers, wok burner, sink and bar. A two-tiered steel arbor lets light in on the kitchen level and provides constant shade on the living room level—a perfect spot to watch the big game on the outdoor television. A gas fireplace ensures the space is comfortable on the frostiest winter afternoons. A granite fines patio serves double time as extended entertainment space or an informal bocce court. Native plants catch the light along the path to the garden’s centerpiece: a curving die cut metal sculpture, which is the backdrop of the garden.