Equestrian Estate Oasis: Outdoor Kitchen, Fireplaces, and Water Features in Nipomo, CA

This project in Nipomo came from a referral. The homeowner was preparing to retire and move into their family’s property, which had just undergone a beautiful remodel. A new horse barn and pasture were built first, and once that phase was complete, we were brought in to perform a full design-build landscape installation.

The customer is very passionate about outdoor living, and the property included a large shed that had been remodeled into a guest house. With multiple structures, guests, and horses in mind, we had several key components to design around.

We began by creating a spacious gravel driveway capable of accommodating a large number of visitors, with enough room for a truck and horse trailer to comfortably turn around. The driveway was constructed with six inches of base material topped with one inch of 3/8” Pacific Brown gravel from Troesh Landscape Supply. The client selected a beautiful olive tree to anchor the driveway and create an English garden–style focal point. This established an inviting entrance for guests using the back Airbnb guest house, where we then transitioned into a natural pathway to help define a separate area of the property.

Because of the size of the landscape, the customer wanted multiple concept areas. A flagstone pathway with creeping thyme between the stones provided a soft, natural walkway leading toward the courtyard. The courtyard includes concrete and a water feature built on a float system, maintaining a modern ranch aesthetic while eliminating the need for manual refilling.

The customer incorporated some decorative tile details in their outdoor living area, so we overlaid a concrete pathway to create a smooth transition toward the outdoor kitchen. They wanted a complete outdoor dining experience, so we designed a space that included a wood-burning fireplace, outdoor kitchen, and a large seat wall for gatherings.

The homeowner has many grandchildren, so we installed a large lawn area for play and family activities. All landscape lighting is app-controlled, allowing each fixture to be individually adjusted for brightness. The plant palette was selected to provide consistent color year-round, blending a variety of species to give the landscape interest in every season.