Last week we met up with a retired Apartment Therapy editor while shooting a house tour down in Costa Mesa. He showed us some sights and we stopped in at The Camp, an outdoor mall, for a quick bit to eat in a yurt. Despite being a mall, the landscaping was gorgeous: lots of succulents and xeriscaping, raised vegetable beds and the best looking green roof we've seen:
Images 1-3: We love the simple metal structure that holds up the terra cotta pots filled with succulents. There's nothing fancy or fussy about it and it would make a great garden wall to help divide off an eating area from a planting bed. Plus using all the same regular terra cotta pots keeps the design simple (and cheap).
Images 4-6: The green roof surprised us. It was growing so well and was so filled in. Most of the green roofs we've seen are languishing under the hot sun or are brand new and not very impressive. This one looked like the side of a hill full of grasses and sedum. Next time we want a closer look.
Images 7-8 This was definitely the first mall we've been to that had a vegetable garden. Their raised beds had corn, basil, herbs, tomatoes and peppers (and from what we understand, they use what's growing in the restaurant--at least the herbs). The beds were simply constructed and used regular wood. If we were handier (or had the space) we'd definitely look into building some of these. Either these or this small space raised planter.
Check out The Camp website for more info and location!
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
The Old Vine cafe has the best breakfast and lunch. My favorite place to meet up with my friends that live in Orange County.
view Seaside's profile
I love the Camp! Native Foods (in the yurt) is one of the better vegan restaurants I've been to and the Old Vine Cafe does have an AMAZING breakfast! The atmosphere is wonderful... thoughtfully planned out yet "campy!" I agree that the landscaping is gorgeous - it's certainly an inspiring space!
view jhill's profile
Awww, how neato to see the Camp written up! It's cutting edge to be sure.
Way off AT topic, but since we are plugging the Camp and all:
Jeff Stump @ The Retreat is the *only* person I will entrust my hair to. I've been following him around for.. I guess close to 10years. He's that good guys and gals. And a sweetheart to boot. No one else can do super-short, super-long, super-dark, super funky or not.. and anything in between.. like Jeff can. You will feel brand new, modern and fresh, every single time.
Tell him the 'persnickety girl w/the long, dark hair that temporarily moved away from the beach' referred ya. ;> You will not regret it.
view moonbeam's profile
(hm, where'd my post go?... me try again..)
Loathe to even call the Camp a mall. It's more a soothing destination. And not solely for the inspiring landscaping. I enjoyed Native Foods in Santa Monica, but am more in love w/118 degrees. To get a feel for the Camp, listen to the tuneage on their website.
Since we are plugging the Camp here and all:
Jeff Stump @ The Retreat is by far, the *best* master hairstylist ever. Truly. I've entrusted my locks to no one else for 10 years. Not even a best friend of mine who is a 'color specialist' is allowed to touch my hair. Jeff is highly adept at cutting edge, mulit-hued, fresh & modern short do's, but nails it *hard* w/a simple deposit & subtle layering of my super-long dark mane. I feel like a new woman every time, and w/somewhat thinner hair (being Russian).. that's a feat in itself. ;>
If you allow yourself the luxury of a visit w/Jeff, describe who sent you. Tell him I'll be in soon, I promise!..
view moonbeam's profile