This project in Santa Monica, CA expresses the ultimate in Southern California living. The owners wanted an outdoor living space in the rear yard that was an extension of their kitchen eating area. The concept included an upper dining area for 8 outside the house with an adjacent BBQ which then stepped into a lower seating area with a fireplace and an overhead arbor. These outdoor rooms are nestled nicely between the house and a rear garage accessible from the alley. The front yard becomes a simple private "courtyard" separated from the public sidewalk with a raised level and a low hedge. Within the courtyard, lawn, palm grove, and a Mediterranean/Tropical garden mix with bold colors and striking foliage transports one to an island in the South seas. Look for a 2007 renovation of the existing garden.