When a local couple recently bought their Spanish Hills home in Camarillo, they immediately remodeled the inside to suit their family’s style, but their spacious backyard left much to be desired.
So, they contacted Cat in a Hammock in Thousand Oaks to help them transform their outdoor area into a beautiful oasis.
With a “mission to connect people with nature and bring joy to families and communities,” Cat in a Hammock provides beautifully designed, elegant, functional and quality-built outdoor living spaces.
“We do everything outside, from outdoor kitchens to swimming pools to plants, pavers, fences, pergolas, fireplaces… it’s a one-stop service, from design concept and engineering to pulling the permits and construction,” says Owner Kristina Jones. “People hire us because they don’t want to have to hire and deal with a lot of different contractors,” she adds.
Designing the Dream
Projects begin with a walkthrough of the property with the homeowners to brainstorm, dream and imagine the possibilities of how to best use the space to accommodate their lifestyle.
“We start from nothing, and I ask them, ‘What would you want to be doing in the backyard that you’re currently not doing?’” says Jones, noting the excitement and joy she feels during this phase.
“My favorite part is when I go to my first appointment and we walk through the backyard, envisioning,” says Jones. “I see the potential, the fun they are going to have in their new backyard—this is going to be their favorite room in the house, their outdoor space!”
Acknowledging that “every home is different, and every family’s different,” Jones’ collaborations with clients add incredible beauty, style and function to their homes, increasing their living space and allowing the family to enjoy all the benefits of spending time in the great outdoors in comfort.
Here, Jones shares highlights from the Spanish Hills home’s backyard transformation, noting these are common issues that homeowners often consult Cat in a Hammock about.
Challenge: This home has a pool, but it is outdated, with cracks in the pool coping and steps.
Solution: We modernized the beach entry, tile and coping to make it elegant and timeless.
Challenge: The family likes to entertain guests, and their concrete patio wasn’t large enough to accommodate a big enough table.
Solution: We installed a new paver patio so they could have enough room and a table that seats 8-10 people.
Challenge: There was a lack of gathering spaces outside.
Solution: We built a really cool modern fireplace for the family and friends to gather around.
Challenge: There is not enough shade in the backyard. Shade umbrellas were heavy and had to be moved around, and they would often blow over in the wind.
Solution: We built two shade structures by the pool and in the dining area. The pergola became a focal point of the backyard, giving it a resort feel. Pergolas can extend your living space and be free-standing or attached to a house. Either way, it creates a favorite place to gather and relax.
Challenge: The landscaping needed more color, without adding additional maintenance.
Solution: We continued the tropical theme by adding plants with red, yellow and orange foliage for a pop of color, without added care needed for flowers.
Challenge: The property was quite spacious and very dark at night, so you can’t see and couldn’t spend time outside after dark.
Solution: We put in 90 lights throughout the property, making the outdoors more dramatic and beautiful in the evening. It allows the family to stay out and enjoy the space long after the sunset. The dimmable lights we install are programmed to automatically lower their intensity as the night gets darker and can be controlled via your phone.
Challenge: There were uninteresting focal spaces in the backyard.
Solution: We added two water fountains, one by the entrance to the backyard, where guests gather, and one near the back of the yard. The sound of the water creates a welcoming, tranquil environment you can sit by and enjoy.
Challenge: There were a few pockets of bare landscape by an existing seating area.
Solution: We added a few fruit trees—avocado, lemon and orange trees in the sunny area of the yard, creating an orchard to sit by and enjoy the harvest. It’s all about designing these little nooks throughout the yard.
Using 3D design software enables Cat in a Hammock to show clients exactly how their outdoor space will look. And now being able to experience the design in virtual reality takes it to a new level.
“Sometimes people don’t know what they want, and the 3D design experience can really help them imagine and see their vision,” says Jones. “It’s wonderful to hear clients tell me, ‘We’re here every day. We love it so much!’ That’s why they call us, to transform their space!”
Request a free design consultation with CatInAHammock.com or call 805.263.4200 to learn more.