My Great Outdoors: Tricia's Poolside Shangri-la

Name: Tricia
Location: Van Nuys, CA
Type of space: garden, pool and deck
Tell us about your outdoor project and how you enjoy it: My husband and friends and I hang out outside whenever we can. We have a tv out there protected by plexiglass and mounted on the garage that we use as my art studio. It's great to watch movies and have margaritas out there in summer when we get those hot Valley evenings.

How did you create it? When we bought the house about nine years ago the yard had only a concrete slab and a ton of fig trees that dropped fruit everywhere. Little bit by bit we have added things as we could afford it. We had the concrete slab taken out along with the trees (except for one by the patio) when we added the pool. With the help of a friend, we put flagstone down for the patio and built the arbor for the giant wisteria that gives such great shade and planted the bamboo border. Its been so much fun adding plants and watching everything grow!

Recommended store, site, product or resource? Craigslist for furniture, the Chinese wedding bed we got locally off of ebay and the Rose Bowl Flea Market is a great resource. Green Arrow nursery in North Hills for their succulents and Jackalope pottery in North Hollywood for their pots and furniture.

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Comments (17)

Great job! I love the bed, the pool, and absolutely adore wisteria. I'm impressed at the amount of work and effort you've put into your home. It's a gorgeous spot.

posted by adiaphane on June 4th 2009 at 3:20pm
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Why would ever leave?

posted by CKelley82 on June 4th 2009 at 3:59pm
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Even Sandra Tsing Loh of NPR would have to admit relaxing there wouldn't be half bad.

posted by gregory on June 4th 2009 at 4:52pm
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very nice, love that door

posted by Motschill on June 4th 2009 at 5:39pm
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How lovely! When can I come over?

posted by Expat Decorator on June 5th 2009 at 3:11am
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The Chinese wedding bed is amazing!

posted by Cbina on June 5th 2009 at 9:14am
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Gorgeous! They perfect backyard getaway for those hot San Fernando Valley days and nights!

posted by Seaside on June 5th 2009 at 11:51am
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What a treasure. I would have a hard time leaving it to go to work....or anyplace else.

posted by baileyb on June 5th 2009 at 8:05pm
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Here is My Paradise Pool!!!In the Hamptons and availble for RENT
http://www.31islandview.com/images/483_352oldsagharborrd0509andSEBRING_018.jpg

email me at reserve@31islandview.com if interested

posted by parrishnut on June 7th 2009 at 10:19pm
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I am so green with envy at your garden – it is gorgeous.

posted by Madame Is on June 8th 2009 at 7:45am
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There's a sort of whimsical feeling to that door. I am in love! I applaud you.

posted by jaetamin on June 8th 2009 at 11:35pm
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I see myself relaxing lazily on your chinese daybed.... just daydreaming! Your doors are beautiful, the rustic look just adds so much to your entire look! Lovely, just lovely!

posted by sfteri on June 9th 2009 at 1:09pm
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Thanks so much everybody! My husband and I do have a really hard time leaving, especially when the weather is nice.

posted by onelittleelephant on June 9th 2009 at 7:27pm
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So much character! Any idea what "type" of bamboo that is?

posted by blis_ful on June 11th 2009 at 3:48pm
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Thanks blis_ful!

It is called Alphonse Karr bamboo. I picked it because it is of the clumping variety instead of running. It's is great because it grew in and gave privacy so quickly.

posted by onelittleelephant on June 13th 2009 at 11:02am
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is the asian wedding bed an orignal???? those are worth a LOT of money! we just toured one in the nelson atkins musuem in kc....
how'd you get your hands on one??

posted by vintagedress on July 13th 2009 at 1:24am
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vintagedress,

Yes it is an original one. My husband and I bought it on ebay through a local seller so we didn't have to pay shipping. It was damaged when we got it so that's why we don't feel too bad about putting it outside. Some of them are worth a lot of money but not all, like the one that we have.

You can sometimes find these on craigslist for about $500.

posted by onelittleelephant on July 23rd 2009 at 2:56pm
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