San Jose landscape architect Teri Ravel Kane, whose work has been featured in Sunset Magazine, talked with Lookiloos about doubling living space with well-planned outdoor spaces.

Q. What is the key to integrating the outdoors with the indoors?

We are so lucky to live in California, where the inside and outside spaces integrate so easily.  First of all, you need to address…

… any negative aspects that your site is dealing with and have the design address them.  Do you have large houses nearby that you’d like to screen? Are you losing privacy from an encroaching neighbor?  Is sun/heat a big issue that you would like to address? We need to turn negatives into positives. Next, you need to think of the "function" you are wanting from your garden space. Do you entertain outside?  Do you have kids? Pets? Do you want a pool? Spa? Outdoor Kitchen? Fountain or Sculpture feature? Vegetable Garden?  Last but certainly not least, you need to consider the  "views" from your windows.  Finally, you need to make sure that while you meet these needs, you are also thinking about our environment and the effect that you have on it.  What types of materials you use, what type of water use you need, as well as the addition of environmentally elements are all considerations in a good garden design.

Q. What is the biggest request of your clients’ these days to improve their backyards?

Most gardens where clients are looking for design help simply aren’t functioning very well, or they are making an architectural change to their structure that necessitates a new look at their landscape layout.  When a garden is poorly designed, or has poor access,  the clients rarely spend time in their garden space.  Once you help them figure out how they want to use the space and gain them better access, they are often mesmerized by the garden and spend more time than they ever imagined in this "newly acquired" space.    It often doubles the usable space of the house once they reclaim their yards. I just did a front courtyard for a client in WG that makes their living room seem double in size.  Front yards are a great space that people are only now fully utilizing. The day of the "front lawn" ala
"wonder years"  is rapidly changing.  Now we are free to rethink these spaces, create courtyards, not use lawn, introduce natives and pathways that are "non-traditional" and the great thing is that each house can be unique.  We are no longer held to "cookie cutter" front yards.

Q. Can  you list some creative tips for making a small back yards functional and beautiful?

First and foremost, you need a functioning patio that is large enough for that client’s particular needs. If they entertain outside, it needs to be big enough for a table and chairs for their general usage. It needs to have a mixture of shade and sun so that there are comfortable options.    If the client uses a BBQ, we need a spot for it that functions safely. Some clients want larger built in units, others just need a safe out of the way but still accessible space for a portable.    A good design creates focal points that draws the eye into the garden, whether is is just the views from the adjacent rooms or the experience once you are actually in the garden space.   The Garden needs to have seasonal interest.  I also stress that a good design is like a well composed black and white photo.  The lines and shape are pleasing to the eye and stand up on their own.   You can’t be dependent on beds of annuals to feel like your garden is looking good.

Q. How would you describe your landscaping style?

My style is probably best described as "California Outdoor Living" if that is a category.  I have many clients with formal spaces as well as clients with more casual
cottage styles.  The common theme is the usability of the space.  I design gardens that people live in and use.  My clients "Love" to be in their gardens.

Contact Teri Ravel Kane at tklandarch@mac.com or (408)266-1662.

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