As the winter darkness continues to creep in and the days get painfully short here in Boston, I crave the light of southern climates.  Sarah Sherman Samuel’s new garden in Palm springs is just where I’d like to be.  This makeover transforms a manky and dark a-frame home in the desert of Palm Springs, CA, into a light and fresh modern home for a growing family. 

My favorite elements are those giant wood blocks that make the paths and patio floors (a diamond in the rough gift from the renovation gods) and the cactus with the backdrop of the white-painted stone.  I love that particular mix of textures in the garden.  And did you see the painted white stock tank plunge pool?  It is so sweet and fun and far better to look at than any blow-up rubber job that you might pick up at the toy store.

Why this Desert Garden makeover works:

1. Painting the house white creates greater contrast between the stone details, the trees, and the planting. It also allows you to see and appreciate the lines of the architecture better.
2. Pruning trees and removing the pine tree in the foreground have done a few things. It has allowed in much more light. Plus, a good prune also turned tree and shrub blobs (shapeless green masses) into sculptural elements.
3. The new fence will age to a silver color (unless it is constantly treated with oungoe oil or another sealant). The honey color adds warmth that reflects some of the golden tones in the stone and the leaves of the plants.
4. The Fire pit area was previously just open and undefined. Nothing much to look at. By giving it a purpose, they also gave it a focal point.
5. Finishing with flower beds with a topdressing of white gravel ties the new house color and the garden together.
6. The Stocktank pool – also painted white – achieves the same things as the firepit. It ties in and solidifies the color scheme, and it gives a focal point and a purpose to this garden room.

Make sure you head over to Sarah’s blog to see more (and there is a lot more to see) of this fantastic makeover!

images: sarah sherman samuel

Explore more garden inspiration:

• Garden Gallery: Jerry’s Desert Rooms
• Before & After: Sarah’s Enlivened Front Yard
• Sarah Price’s Airy Planting Style
• 5 Easy and Practical Ways To Reduce Allergies with Better Garden Design
• Before & After: Britton and Sarah’s Biloxi Cottage Makeover