Henry Golding’s Backyard Is a Minimalist Haven
With summer just around the corner, there’s no perfect time than now to refresh your outdoor area. Whether you’re looking to execute a full redesign or just want to add in a few accessories to spruce things up, there are plenty of ways to create an inviting space that’s warm weather-ready.
Take a hint from actor Henry Golding who recently worked with design studio Only Way Is Up (OWIU) to give his backyard a makeover. The result? A minimalistic space that’s ideal for work and play all year-round.
The “Crazy Rich Asians” actor lives in Venice Beach with his wife, Liv Lo, and their one-year-old daughter, Lyla. Bringing in elements of Japanese living, the Southern Californian home takes inspiration from the couple’s mixed heritage background. The pair purchased the home in 2021 and the home underwent an extensive remodel just before this. For the backyard design, Golding and Liv took into account their current lifestyles, as well as their new baby.
“We decided to settle in Los Angeles for work, but we also felt Los Angeles was a great place to start a family and plant roots. Liv and I have an active lifestyle. We both enjoy the outdoors and wanted to have a space where we could hang out and work out,” Golding told Architectural Digest. “Liv is a yoga and breath work instructor, so we wanted a space where she could take these practices outdoors. I love cooking, and we really love hosting our friends for meals, so we wanted an outdoor space we could also entertain in.”
OWIU co-founders Joel Wong and Amanda Gunawan created an intimate space that features a neutral color palette and lots of lush greenery. Calming creams and light wood accents take center stage, honing in on traditional Japanese style, and curved walls give an element of seclusion to the space. The yard’s functional sections have been cleverly designed for added privacy, yet still maintaining a sense of openness for entertaining. For al fresco dinners, there’s a cast-iron grill and fire pit while the outdoor spa area, inspired by a Japanese onsen, features a hot tub and shower.
Ultimately, OWIU’s intuitive design approach is to focus on enhancing the existing space in a way that is timeless, offering room for evolution. When working on the Golding property, Gunawan thought about the way Lyla would use the backyard throughout each stage of her childhood, from baby toys scattered on the floor to a mini playground and everything in between.
“This home marked the start of a new chapter for its residents as they welcomed Lyla, their new baby girl, to the world just one day after closing escrow,” she said in a press release. “The backyard, although not particularly large, was the space that I envisioned the owners would spend the most time in.”