When buying their home, the Kinsburys bought a solid but neglected Tudor home in a San Marino-adjacent Pasadena neighborhood they adored. After years of intensive renovation projects, they wanted their landscape to showcase their home and to better integrate it into the neighborhood. In the backyard, CPA Amy Kingsbury and her husband, Reverend Scott Kingsbury needed a restful retreat for prayer and post-tax season rejuvenation.
Throughout their home's renovation process, Reverend Kingsbury had served as the general contractor, and he planned rigorous interviews for landscape designers and installation teams. He relishes his interview-turned-brainstorm with FormLA President Cassy Aoyagi.
As a result of that brainstorm, FormLA Landscaping proposed a cottage garden, complete with a church ruin for the reverend's morning prayers. "We knew the Kingsbury's shady property posed a challenge to building this sun-loving garden style," notes Aoyagi. "We also knew it was what would make the Kingsburys truly happy with their outdoor living space."
She was right, notes Reverend Kingsbury, "The exquisite level of personalized detail FormLA proposed illustrated their profound understanding of us and our needs."
In addition to selecting FormLA's landscape design, the Kingsburys chose FormLA Landscaping to build and maintain their landscape.
Living Canvas. To provide the Kingsbury's with the serenity and harmony they hoped to experience in back of their home, FormLA designed a simple, sloping landscape to replace a terraced hillside. The colorful mix of Maples, Gardenias, Coral Bells, Hummingbird Sages, Creeping Roses, Hostas, and Lupines appears effortless and blooms throughout the year. Reverend Kingsbury now sees his garden as the perfect place for prayer and soulful reflection.
Drainage System. The original landscape of terraces and paths actually pushed water toward the Kingsbury home. With careful site study and grading, FormLA was able to bring natural contours back to the yard and guided water away from the home and into the ground and planters.
Patio. The Kingsburys have abandoned their dining room and kitchen to enjoy their morning coffee in their single outdoor living space surrounded by blooms.
Dog Maze. A simple path winds through the banks of foliage and back to the outdoor living space. Beloved, the Kingsbury Lhaso Apso, takes delight in running and sniffing the full route!
Tree Preservation. Avocado, pepper and orange trees continue to thrive in the Kingsbury landscape. Smart drip irrigation was key to preserving the established trees. By providing separate root watering zones for the trees and new plants, FormLA ensured the trees did not need to compete for water. While not its original purpose, the Kingsbury's credit the smart irrigation system for saving water and their vibrant landscape during the 2009 drought.
Feature Lighting. Thoughtfully placed up and down lighting turned the Kingsbury's 350-year old Oak Tree into a neighborhood delight.
Re-Circulating Horse Head Fountain. Amy Kingsbury smiles when she hears the serene sounds of trickling water and chirping birds emanating from the horse head fountain. FormLA placed the fountain in a shady area, a water-saving measure that prevents water from evaporating into the dry air.
"Now, our home is everything we envisioned," notes Reverend Kingsbury.
The thoughtful mix of California, English and Mediterranean blooms continue to thrive and becomes more established each year. The landscape not only integrates the home with the neighborhood, it distinguishes it as one of the prettiest properties in the area.
While the Kingsbury's are tickled with their home's public transformation, it is the private space they enjoy most. Each morning, Reverend Kingsbury makes his way to the garden for prayer. Over morning coffee, the reverend and Amy watch Beloved run the permeably-paved maze of trails through their property with abandon. "Beloved is in heaven out here."
"There is just one thing we'd improve," notes Reverend Kingsbury. He still thinks of FormLA's original proposal and the church ruin with a stained glass window and plaque of his family crest. "It hasn't left my mind. Someday, we will build that church."
