Primary Color Palette in a Small Studio City Garden: Yellow Fireplace, Blue Fence, Red Furniture

Primary Color Palette in a Small Studio City Garden: Yellow Fireplace, Blue Fence, Red Furniture

Moshe and Fegie Barkan's 15-foot-wide backyard pulls off a brave red-yellow-blue palette with style. "Things feel more alive with color," says Fegie, an artist.

• Palette genesis: imposing citrus yellow fireplace popping from gray retaining wall.
• Plantings emphasize lush textures and graceful forms, letting hardscape/accessories star.
• Yard as rooms: personal retreat, dining patio, living area with fire and lounge chairs (Gisele chairs, $950 each).

How to Add Strong Color Outdoors

Let one color shine; repeat the other two sparingly amid soft greenery.

INFO: Landscape design: Rob Pressman, TGP Landscape Architecture, Encino, CA; 818/907-8460. Architecture: Jeffrey Michael Tohl, The Architecture Studio, Los Angeles; 310/652-7890.