Oak Cathedral + Artist’s Retreat
Location: Sebastopol, CA in beautiful Sonoma County (USDA Zone 9b)
Design Goals:
Inviting, embracing, and cozy
Create a low maintenance sanctuary with year-round beauty
Add privacy from neighbors while preserving views from interior of the home
Gathering space for writing + spiritual retreats
Accessible entertaining spaces for family + friends around pool
Meandering pathways to connect garden rooms for reflection and inspiration
Build bird habitat
Plan View:
This 10,000 sq ft property features mature Coast Live Oaks that provide a healthy habitat for local fauna in its dappled shade, a respite for mind and body.
Beneath, we honored the native oak woodland understory plantings found throughout the parks and wild lands of Sonoma County with California native plants like Heuchera maxima (Coral Bells), Polystichum munitum (Western Sword Fern), Ceanothus (California Lilac), Fragaria vesca (Woodland Strawberry), and Carpentaria californica (Bush Anemone). Moving throughout the property’s many secluded seating spots are accessible flagstone pathways that wind beneath the canopy to places like the Oak Cathedral writers retreat or the vineyard view bench seat. These meditative pathways activate a dark, unused space on the property. The artisan dry laid stonework using full color bluestone flagstone pathways were designed to not exceed a 7% slope to respect California’s ADA requirements and ensure all are welcome to gather here. At left, artwork is nestled into the landscape to be discovered while spending time immersed in the native oak woodland setting.
Two pollinator fountains bring life into the garden, one placed at the front entry deck to welcome visitors with soothing sounds and the second privately nestled in the Inner Sanctuary Garden off the primary bedroom. Both of these water features are pondless, in-ground fountains that avoid sitting water (and therefore mosquito breeding grounds). Plus, they have tiny LED lights in their centers so the fountains can be enjoyed well into the night. This garden features a beautifully layered 12 volt lighting system to draw people into the garden past sunset. The lights are zoned such that the home owner can select certain areas to be illuminated, while keeping others naturally dark to preserve habitat. Wild Earth Art collaborated with Donna Best Lighting Specification on this lighting system.
A sundial-inspired raised bed system, fabricated and installed by Sonoma County welder Mike Solari, keeps herbs and fresh cut flowers close to the home. The beds are installed on top a stabilized decomposed granite patio that is both functional and permeable. Nearby, a custom teak processing table with hidden storage holds tools, soil amendments, a stainless steel greywater sink, hose rack, and counterspace. Used as an arranging station, the convenience encourages daily use and intentional time spent amongst the flowers. Over time the teak wood will fade to gray as we opted to leave it unsealed for natural patina.
The poolside patio was revitalized with dry laid stonework to blend with existing hardscaping. After a summer enjoying the expanded patio space, we further expanded with a subtle pathway leading to a hidden seating area with a view of the neihgboring vineyard. The perfect spot to watch the Sonoma County fog swirl over old vines and listen to birdsong as the day breaks.
Poolside plantings include hardy, drought-adapted Lomandra, an Australian native that has proven itself well in Sonoma County. Teak storage benches house outdoor furniture cushions when not in use, keeping the area tidy no matter the season. Later additions to the pool area include a cabana and storage shed, around which Wild Earth landscaped to blend into the maturing garden. An antique bird bath was added for birds and pollinators to enjoy inside a blooming habitat garden nearby the pool.
The Inner Sanctuary Garden features a private deck off the primary en suite. Containers of bamboo, fragrant herbs, and soft fronded ferns grace the deck and shield this intimate space from view. The flagstone patio has room to relax with a recirculating fountain nestled beneath the woodland canopy and stone statuary tucked beneath two specimen Japanese Maple trees burgundy in foliage. Just out of frame at right: Pittosporum ‘Silver Sheen’ disappear the fence line and gate.
We are grateful for the artistry and expertise from these Sonoma County horticulturalists, craftsmen, and creators that contributed to this west county project:
Project Ecological Benefits:
Drought tolerant native + pollinator plants
Pollinator fountains and a bird bath act as rest stops and water weigh stations for beneficial insects and birds welcoming them in
Bird habitat in mid-size shrubs
Local tree mulch insulate the soil to reduce evaporation, suppress weeds, improve soil health, and reduce erosion.
Well-calibrated, water wise drip irrigation system that respects our precious limited resource.
Cut flower garden and processing table with hidden storage
Key hole design by Wild Earth Art. Fabrication and installation by Mike Solari
Custom teak processing table featuring an outdoor sink make cut flower harvesting a breeze
Custom corten steel raised beds designed in a keyhole pattern serve as a cut flower garden. Crafted and installed by Mike Solari
Cut flower garden
Teak processing table located next to the raised bed cut flower garden for easy bouquet harvesting. Custom outdoor sink installed, plus dedicated hose bib makes clean up easy.
Front entry fountain (recirculating) to welcome people with soothing water sounds
Pondless millstone fountain recirculates precious water for birds to preen while the gentle water sounds drift to the front home entrance and porch.
Pondless pollinator fountain
Soft plantings alongside the main entrance are layered with low groundcovers, blooming perennials, and woody evergreen shrubs to add privacy for the front porch
A welcoming driveway entrance draws visitors in and hints at the garden setting to be discovered. Beautiful Valley Oaks provide a dappled overstory
Stone statue nestled behind a Sonoma Fieldstone Boulder and Lomandra for a lush corner focal point
Layered plantings alongside the flagstone staircase leading from the home to the pool.
Japanese maples throughout the garden understory make for a brilliant fall color show
Beneath a mighty native oak tree is a poolside seating area.
Poolside seating area with full sun planting of pollinator and bird-friendly species
A flagstone pathway leads to a hidden seating area with a west county vineyard view
Beneath a multi-trunk Crepe Myrtle a pathway invites rest at the seating area beyond
Room for two at the secluded vineyard view
Coarse and fine textures delight the senses in the Inner Sanctuary garden
Fine and coarse textures from Carex and Hydrangea quercifolia
Lomandra 'Platinum Beauty,' Heuchera 'Palace Purple', and multiple varieties of Ajuga fill the understory
The writers retreat deep within the oak cathedral is bordered by Japanese Maples, Azaleas, Heucheras, Carpenteria, and other shade tolerant plants
View from a second story balcony covered in Clematis vines shows the corten steel raised beds in situ
Grand flagstone staircase leads from the cut flower garden to the pool
Mass plantings of Heuchera fill in the oak understory
Corner garden leading from the driveway to the private Inner Sanctuary Garden
Through the gate leads to a private garden off the primary bedroom.
Bamboo in containers adds soft privacy to the primary bedroom deck
Morning sunshine and afternoon shade make this private patio garden inviting for morning coffee and cool evening unwinding
The lush Inner Sanctuary Garden is home to a pondless fountain and a stone birdbath filled with succulents
Artisanal flagstone patio featuring river pebbles in the joint lines, placed like jewels