Pasadena -- Casa Contenta

The present owners transformed this space with landscaped gardens. The cylindrical shaped lot was contoured to include a large sloping hillside in back. The gardens in front and back include "all the elements of outdoor California entertaining and living." On the upper back level of the property, the large open patio was redesigned to overlook rolling grass and a linear lap pool. Beyond the pool, an intimate garden for two with table, chairs and umbrella was designed. The purpose of this garden was to create a garden room within the formal garden surrounded by perennials, shrubs and grasses. When standing on the upper patio, the tall oak tree draws one's eyes beyond the formal gardens into the far distance of pine trees creating a park-like setting for the property. The variety of plants in this area include: blue westringia, stachy byzantina, rosemary, variegated eulalia grass,...etc. A large space in front of the house was enclosed to create a lush walled garden with water fountain.

Persons and organizations associated with the garden include: Mr. and Mrs. Stan Hahn (former owners, 1957-?); Robert Coberly (former owner, ?-1998); Jock Sewall (architect, 1998); Rick Button (landscape designer, 1998); and Albert Barrios (gardener, 1998); Robert Perry (pool designer, 1998).