One of the greatest perks of life in Southern California is its seamless indoor/outdoor lifestyle—and it’s one of designer Kristyn Harvey’s favorite things about her home in Solana Beach, California. “We’re about a mile from the beach,” she tells us. “Because of the climate and lifestyle in Southern California, we spend most of our time outdoors, which heavily influenced the design of our backyard. We wanted it to feel like a true extension of our home and support the way our family naturally lives day to day.”
The backyard you see today took significant work to achieve. “This was a full backyard transformation,” she says. “Before the remodel, the yard was a large concrete pad surrounded by mud and weeds. It was underutilized and offered very little functional square footage. One of the biggest parts of the project involved excavating into the existing sandstone cliff to maximize the amount of usable outdoor living space.”
The backyard was designed as a series of connected zones that support the family’s everyday routines. “The covered pergola acts as an extension of our indoor living and dining spaces,” Kristyn shares. “We cook most of our meals (especially anything that splatters grease) on our Fire Magic grill and side burner and entertain frequently, so creating a comfortable gathering space was incredibly important. The heaters in the pergola are honestly crucial because it gets cold very quickly around sunset in coastal California, and they allow us to comfortably eat dinner outside almost every evening.”
The pool was designed with an intentional soft green hue, chosen to evoke a natural body of water rather than a traditional bright blue swimming pool. “The inspiration actually came from Lake Tahoe, where the water feels crystal clear,” Kristyn notes. “You can see straight to the bottom while still having that beautiful turquoise-green tone. It gives the backyard a much more organic and calming feeling!”
One of Kristyn’s favorite parts of the space is the garden area. “There’s a trickling fountain that creates a very calm atmosphere, but it’s also one of the most functional spaces for our family,” she shares. “Our kids eat their after-school snacks straight from the garden and pick whatever fruits or vegetables are ripe, which has genuinely encouraged them to eat more produce. I have two boys, so they also enjoy catching lizards and roly-polies in the garden as well!” Adjacent to the garden and jacuzzi, a custom 40-foot-long bench provides generous seating for family and guests alike.
“We also love the gardening bench with the marble sink because it gives us a dedicated place to store tools and wash off vegetables straight from the garden,” Kristyn shares. “The sink itself is made from Calacatta Viola marble sourced from Turkey and became one of the defining design features of the project.”
The outdoor shower might be the pièce de résistance. “It’s made from raw hammered copper and naturally develops a patina over time, which adds so much warmth and character,” the designer shares. “It’s also incredibly functional because it allows the kids to shower off after swimming without constantly running in and out of the house with wet feet.”
Kristyn sourced furniture from Seasonal Living for the backyard, pointing to both its craftsmanship and the protective covers that come with each piece. “It is incredibly important for durability and longevity in outdoor spaces near the coast,” she notes. A mix of materials—including microcement, marble, unlacquered brass, limestone, and natural stone—creates an environment that feels organic, layered, relaxed, and highly livable while still remaining elevated and intentional.
“We intentionally wanted the outdoor spaces to feel just as layered and intentional as the interiors of the home,” she reflects. Judging by the finished result, that vision came to life beautifully.
Kristyn’s Top Tips for Outdoor Living:
- Design around your actual daily routine rather than just aesthetics. The best outdoor spaces support how you truly live.
- Incorporate elements that give back to you over time, like fruit trees, vegetable gardens, herbs, or cut flower gardens.
- Create distinct zones for different activities while still maintaining visual connection between spaces.
- Prioritize comfort through layering—heaters, shade, lighting, and soft materials dramatically affect how often a space gets used.
- Don’t be afraid to use elevated materials outdoors if they’re detailed properly. Some of the most beautiful spaces blur the line between interior and exterior living.
Sources:
Fire Pit: DreamCast Design and Production, “Skyline” concrete fire pit in White Wisp
Outdoor Shower: The Copper Shower Company
Dining Table, Sofas, Iron Accent Chairs: Seasonal Living
Coffee Table, Black Lounge Chairs, Pool Loungers: Balé Homewares
Outdoor Dining Chairs: Hati Home
Appliances: Fire Magic Kitchen
Plumbing: California Faucets
Resin-bonded Permeable Grout System: Romex Hardscapes
Pavers: EcoOutdoor
Brick: ORCA Studios
Cold Plunge: Empava
Heaters: Bromic
