I spotted Phillip Dixon’s Garden in Apartment Therapy last week when they referred to it as an “Indiana Jones Oasis”. (oddly, IMO, because nothing about this makes me think of Indian Jones – is it just me?).
Morrocan Inspired Garden Design In California
The home and garden was inspired by Morocco but it lives in Venice Beach, California. The AT story was short on words, but I found this excellent interview with Phillip. He talks about how he designed this place (he is a photographer) and his inspiration and ideas around how he lives here. It is a great read if you are interested in open air living and African architecture. Or if you just care about how he’s used his home as the backdrop for his day job – as a high fashion and celebrity photographer.
The house is huge (6000 square feet) and from the outside appears as a bit of an impenetrable compound with its high walls. This type of private secluded space is typical of Islamic-inspired gardens. It also allows him to live with the doors open to the pool and garden nearly year-round.
The pool is the central feature of the garden and there are lots of ideas that you can borrow for your own design. These are what I am seeing — add more in the comments if you are noting something else.
Ideas from this Garden:
- The big sculptural egg-shaped element is actually a large olive pot turned upside down. (Genius!)
- No matter what style you are trying to achieve, natural stone will always help to ground the design. Here it breaks up the edges of the pool, acts like a mulch beneath plants, and was the inspiration for the texture of the walls.
- Bigger isn’t always better – a narrow lap pool with a shallow wading area is more than enough.
- After reading the C-home interview, it must be pointed out that your garden must suit your lifestyle. Phillip travels a lot. No one wants to come home to dead plants after being away for work… so he uses plants that can deal with a lack of attention and that thrive where he lives. It is a hard lesson but it is good to do the same.
- The pool has an unexpected element with the underwater mosaic. It is a nod to the typical design elements of Moroccan and Islamic gardens but is done in a modern and inventive way.
Design Advice From Phillip Dixon
And lastly – I love this bit of design advice from Phillip:
“normal furniture and paintings and all of that stuff is just jewelry. When a place is done, you shouldn’t have to put anything in it or on the walls. It’s already decorated; it’s already furnished. And also, it flows. So you have the seats, the tables, everything works together. And you just put the cushion on it and it’s easy maintenance. I’ll pick up a stick or a rock—to me, that’s art.”
-Phillip Dixon
A few Notes about the Moroccan Garden Design Style
I’m interested in defining the basis of Moroccan Garden Design Style.
These are my notes – a work in progress. I’d love to hear from you if you have anything thoughts or insight about what makes the gardens of this region unique and if there are particular elements that are important to note in a definition of typical gardens of this region.
- There is often a blend of vibrant colors that are beautiful under the full equatorial sunlight light of the region.
- Following from many Islamic and regional traditions, there is an emphasis on intricate tile work.
- Also, following from Charbagh Design – (see this article about What is Charbagh Design), gardens are typically walled, private, and have water elements that are not Naturalistic.
- The water is typically formalized in pools and fountains and is also used to break the space into quadrants and, through rills, offers movement and cooling throughout the garden.
- Lush vegetation is in contrast to the wider landscape.
- There is a reliance on potted plants, tropical plants, and desert plants.
Explore other Artful, Moroccan, and Islamic garden design ideas:
Images: From 100 Layer Cake by Gary Ashley of The Wedding Artists Collective, Calvin Klein, and Apartment Therapy
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