Garden Visit: At Home with Jeweler Kathleen Whitaker in LA

In LA's Echo Park, jeweler Kathleen Whitaker created a 14,000-square-foot oasis of calm. "The land was a huge selling point. Southern California living is about bringing outdoors in—lush surroundings, beautiful light."

From living room, Whitaker sees guests approaching through gate painted Benjamin Moore Olympus Green.

Shaded seating under oak, pepper, and toyon trees. "Oak canopy lets dappled light in—comfortable all day, including evening cocktails."

Small patio with existing flagstone, pea gravel, potted ficus for scale.

Outdoor furniture: Ikea chairs (discontinued) and Craigslist rattan love seat, both sprayed custom saffron yellow. Navy/white poplin cushions. Coffee table from local antiques store—"super weathered, perfect counterbalance to buttoned-up rattan."

North-facing hillside with indirect light—easy on plants. Ground covers, succulents, jade, large toyon. In-ground sprinkler installed before sod. "Grass is hard in LA—small patch, conservative night watering."

Drought-tolerant succulents on unshaded sun deck behind house.

Stepped terrace: coleus, heuchera, xanadu philodendron, asparagus fern, star jasmine, variegated vinca.

"Ripped out overgrown mash-up. New plantings bloom beautifully and will fill in."

Cotton Hammock from LL Bean ($119) fits Southern California landscape.

Split leaf philodendron cutting in vase by ceramist Bari Ziperstein brings garden inside.

Front porch: Norfolk pine in basket-weave terra cotta (Echo Garden), rubber plant in ceramic by Kelly Lamb.

Welcoming porch invites house tour: A Minimal Jewelry Designer Goes Maximal.

Whitaker's garden sketch.

More tropical escapes: Botanical Garden visit, LA Confidential courtyard garden, World's Most Elegant Deer-Proof Edible Garden.