design for a west coast lifestyle

When Vojin and Lubijca walked into the Laguna Hills home they instantly noticed the scent of the ocean mixing with the smell of red brick; it was the smell of their memories. Originally from Montenegro, where beautiful mountains emerge from the Adriatic Sea, the couple were in search of a place that would immerse them in the sensations of their country. It was available as Mark and his wife, now empty-nesters, had downsized.

And best of all, here there was still work for them to do. The backyard was unfinished and would give this couple the bonding project they were looking for. They turned to Marc Whipple to help them express their vision for the back of the house. They continued the same flow of ideas that were executed in the home for the positioning of the pool, the look of the hardscape, water features and plantings. As the couple refined the interior décor themselves they created a set of principles to guide their material and design choices: modern, organic, genuine, close to nature, oriental influence, no artificial materials, repetitive patterns.