Garden Party Hot Spot: A San Jose Backyard Transformed

At dusk, Richard Holden and Sandra Moll's San Jose backyard becomes a luminous paradise. Chinese lanterns stuffed with white lights dangle from arbors, a dining patio glows warmly, and dramatic orange light bathes an ancient-looking wall relief — all inspired by designer Cevan Forristt's global travels.

To accommodate 50–100 guests at frequent fundraisers, the garden is divided into flexible "rooms." Guests flow from a spacious patio with raised pond and portable firepit to a lattice-sheltered buffet area and through a keyhole opening back to the pond. Every element serves multiple functions: a concrete table seats 12 but doubles as a buffet when chairs are removed.

DESIGN: Cevan Forristt, San Jose (408/297-8538)