A glorious mix of materials is where it’s at
One of the most compelling design tactics is a sophisticated and exciting mix of materials - pavers! hardwoods! natural stone! ferns! oh my! The dynamism it brings to each project is what makes an outdoor space more than just a yard but a living, breathing work of art.
We’re over here dreaming of Yakasugi or Shou Sugi Ban applications in 2024. Yakasugi is a traditional Japanese method of burning cedar (usually) resulting in a gorgeous black, fire-proof, moisture resistant, insect proof wood. Stunning, durable, and unique. Our eyes are on applying this technique on upcoming builds (could it be you??) as we delve deeper into our Japanese heritage and Japanese landscape techniques. While Yakasugi is traditionally applied to siding, we’re thinking… pergola!?
Anyhow, exciting things ahead. x
Check out this crazy fence!
We built a wavy ass fence! There was stuff in the way and we just went around it! A triumph.
When taking on this project, we knew that we would be building a curved fence at the corner of the property. No biggie. We opted for lath fencing because it looks cool and can be curved pretty seamlessly. However, there was a side fence area and there was just… so many things in the way and no way to go straight through. So, Johnny used his big brains and executed a WAVY fence. WAVY. He won’t reveal his secrets so tough shit, but he was able to curve a frame around the obstacles and attach the slats.
And on top of it, there is NO VISIBLE HARDWARE on the front of the fence. None. Just sexy sexy slats.
So, that’s that. SGH are geniuses.
It’s FALL bitches
And we’re ready to PARTY.
Fall is the perfect time to put those plants in the ground! Extreme heat and dryness has passed (we hope) and the ground is fully hospitable to planting, giving them the best chance to thrive. Giddyup.
Let’s get cozy! One of the best things about Los Angeles is being able to use your outdoor space year round. Be the Host with the Most and input a Firepit zone for happy hour hangs, S’mores, or getting stoned with your friends! Or REALLY knock their socks off and put in an Adobe Cob Pizza Oven and watch your social currency skyrocket! They sky is the limit with what you can do to cozy up your space.
And while you’re at it, put on our Fall mixtape so you can look cool for your friends and family.
The beauty of being a Design & Build firm
So, you’ve embarked on your Outdoor Space Improvement Journey and maybe you’re lost? Or maybe you have an idea of what you want? Or maybe you just have a… vibe in mind. It doesn’t matter where you start, you need to be shepherded to the Yard of your Dreams. This is where a Designer comes in to make all of your native landscape, pergola, outdoor kitchen, meandering pathway to a soaking tub dreams come alive.
The benefit of working with a Design & Build firm (meaning we Design AND are experts in the construction of all elements, AND we…Build it!) is that when talking through and eventually realizing your project we can get you there more efficiently.
Being hardscape specialists allows us to tell you right away what is possible and within your budget. Being landscape specialists allows us to organically integrate your hardscape with your landscape and… stay within your budget!
There’s nothing we love more than guiding you from start to finish to the Most Radical Outdoor Oasis for Straight Chilling.
Summer by Swan General Homestead
Summer by Swan General Homestead.
Summer is here and it is hot as balls. And a barren yard with no hardscape or landscape features is gonna make your house even hotter. And your outdoor space unusable. And your home value not as great as it could be. And it looks like shit.
Luckily, there is so much you can do!
Add a pergola or shade sails. Duh.
Add a permeable surface in areas. Use cobble, flagstone, decking, etc to create a usable surface for dining, chilling, whatever. Make sure it is permeable so any water is absorbed and used for your underground root systems instead of just running off.
Hey, why not add an amazing outdoor kitchen? Then you can BBQ your ass off! Impress your friends! Be the coolest!
Get a landscape plan and prepare to plant in Fall. You can’t plant in Summer. It’s too hot, the plants will hate it and will have a hard time establishing. But, get your act together and get a landscape plan together for adding plants and probably trees too if you don’t already have any.
And guess what? SGH does all of this.
Does landscaping increase your home value?
Heck yeah it does!
In fact, not only does landscape/hardscape add immediate value to your home, it grows in value over time as your plants become more robust. And an outdoor kitchen? They typically return up to 100%-200% of their cost!
Buying a home is a huge investment and you want to spend your money wisely when making improvements. A good rule of thumb is to spend between 5%-20% of the value of your home on landscape and hardscape. And be mindful of what you are installing. That Playboy mansion grotto and bespoke Bocce court might not get you the returns you think it will!
Upgrading your outdoor space to make it more functional and beautiful by integrating native landscaping, a deck, shade (by way of pergola), and/or dining areas and outdoor kitchen are an amazing way to not only increase the joy you get out of your home, but also to get that scrilla.
Dollar dollar bill ya’ll.
AAPI month is every month ~ an ode to family business
Swan General is a family business, and by that I mean it is owned by myself, my brother and my wife. By family business I also mean that our entire very large family work in this business, all of our brothers work in this business and our father worked in this business and our uncles and cousins and on and on. Masonry, building things, is in our blood.
We are 12 siblings total and of Japanese/Filipino/Caucasian descent. Our dad worked his whole life as a Master Mason in Hawaii and Massachusetts, where we learned the trade from a young age. In Hawaii, we ran around barefoot, worked crew, and learned masonry. In Massachusetts, we played football, developed our accents, and learned masonry. By the age of 10, we were brought on jobs and expected to pull our weight, and absorbed our father’s, uncles and cousins skills, artistry and dedication to their craft.
Today, we all run Masonry and Outdoor Design businesses from Hawaii to Los Angeles to Massachusetts. We work side by side, laughing and building shit. Is it stressful? Yes. Do we fight? Yes. Is it an honor to be with Ohana and carry on the family tradition? Absolutely.
Every brick is laid with Love, Legacy, and Aloha.
We built an outdoor kitchen.
And it was hard.
Custom designed. Small space. Round hole for the BBQ. Custom poured sink. Holy shit.
We put our blood, sweat and tears into this thing and we couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. There’s nothing better than cursing your way through a project, working it out, and seeing the beautiful result.
Outdoor kitchens are peak indoor/outdoor Easy Living. If you have the space, we highly recommend adding this feature. Cement, stucco, wood, big, small, whatever fits your space and vibe. It’s definitely an undertaking (especially if it needs plumbing!), but you will be stoked to have it.
To Deck or not To Deck?
The answer is To Deck.
A deck is the centerpiece of indoor/outdoor living. What is the point of a yard if you can’t chill in it? Decks anchor the space, provide an area for congregating, increase your home’s livable space (outdoor dining!), and are a central part of your yard’s landscape composition. And the best part is, it can be integrated into your natural landscape in a very groovy way. No need to upend the whole landscape - one of our specialities is our ability to mold the space until voila! the hardscape emerges in a natural and organic way. Not to brag or anything. But our decks are the best ;)
A full yard upgrade is at your fingertips, friend!
Do you dream of a native, drought tolerant yard? Do you want to actually spend time in your yard with friends and family? There are so many ways to transform your yard into a fully livable space that is beneficial to the ecosystem and to you.
Some great hardscaping options to make your yard more functional are
Decks or patios: It could be flagstone or wood decking. You pick! Adding a sturdy surface element allows you to move seamlessly around your space, add furniture, a chiminea, etc.
Pergola: A well designed and built pergola can truly upgrade your yard’s livability. It provides shade, protection from the elements, and can help with temperature control. A pergola over an outdoor dining space is key.
Walkways: Flagstone! Pavers! Brick! Decomposed Granite! A walkway provides navigation through your amazing space, so you can entertain guests without trampling your plants, and get to weeding when those suckers pop up. A walkway also provides an organic flow through your space.
Fire pit: The ultimate outdoor luxury. Entertain, relax, make s’mores, sing a dang song!
Outdoor kitchen: If you really want to crank it up a notch, get yourself an outdoor kitchen with integrated grill. You will be the King/Queen of Summer, all your friend’s will be jealous and you will be obsessed with your outdoors.
Native landscaping: California is home to some of the most amazing indigenous plants, that require little maintenance once established. Thoughtfully installing native landscaping will provide beauty, save on water (yuck to lawns), and create an ecosystem for bees and birds and all sorts of critters.
And guess what. Swan General Homestead provides all of these services! Happy Spring.
Behold! A Poppy! From a seed!
This not-great picture is of a poppy from our yard, that we planted from a seed sometime last year. There is no greater joy than a seed bursting to life that you planted with your own hands. You feel like a God!
Native to California, the California Poppy is probably our most prized horticultural possession. Vibrant and showy, much like California’s reputation, these beauties put on quite a show post-rains. This year has been a doozy and we just love seeing the super-blooms in action all over our neighborhoods.
Add some poppies to your home landscape by planting seeds in Spring or Fall and then….. wait. Patience is key! Our favorite move is to sprinkle them randomly and liberally throughout the landscape and then be totally surprised at where they pop up.
Our buddies at Plant Material in Glassell Park sell the cutest little packages of California Poppy Seeds. Go pick some up!
Native Plants x Flagstone
Native Plants and Flagstone
Is there a better material for drought tolerant landscaping than flagstone? Nah. Here in water starved Los Angeles, we rely on drought tolerant native plants to create our beautiful landscapes, and nothing fits more perfectly than a flagstone pathway meandering through. Slate, sandstone, basalt, limestone - so much to choose from, all blending in perfectly to create a low-impact oasis. All hail flagstone!
Decomposed Granite? Heck yeah!
Decomposed granite? Heck yeah!
Decomposed Granite, or “DG” can get a bad wrap for being a a bit messy and not barefoot friendly. However! Put in the right spot, paired with some killer native plants in your amazing drought tolerant inside/outside backyard oasis? Totally dreamy! Budget friendly and blends seamlessly with natural stone or flagstone. All hail DG!