I tend to agree about the Pygmy date palms and their spines! Also, they sucker! So what is 3 trunks when you buy it will be 20 trunks! You have so many options where you are! Great climate for everything! I might put 3 dwarf citrus (2 here, and 1 there), and a few flowering plants for color. Verbena and Lantana are a couple, and then there are floribunda roses! The citrus is edible plus it's green year round! Good luck with your choices!! Suzi

"Best trees to plant near swimming pools" https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A86.J7vUD0dYXUUAr5cPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTBzdHZpaXZrBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNyZWw-?p=best+trees+to+plant+near+swimming+pools&type=osf01s1&hspart=avast&hsimp=yhs-brwsr001&ei=UTF-8&fr2=rs-top&fr=yhs-avast-brwsr001 10 Messy Plants You Don't Want Near The Pool When it's time for the acacia to release its flower clusters, they spread—all over your yard and into your pool. If you must have an acacia, plant it in the front yard and hope a mighty wind doesn't blow around the time of pod and flower drop. "The little tiny flowers [of Crape Myrtle] fill the pool surface with brightly colored debris. It clogs the skimmers and when it sinks it's so small a pressure-side cleaner won't pick it up most of the time," says Brian Alan Shirley, owner of Abracadabra Pool Technologies in the Decatur, Georgia, region http://poolandpatio.about.com/od/patiolandsaping/ss/10-Messy-Plants-You-Dont-Want-Near-the-Pool.htm

We didnt have the money or the zip code that would support a period correct kitchen so we did a complementary kitchen to our taste. It was new space added (the original kitchen, which was actually a 90's era cheap remodel is now a bedroom) so we did it the way we want. Vintage Spanish Eclectic creates lots of options, but our focus was on muted colors and shapes. Our contractor has moved on, but his blog is still up with more pics. Good luck with your project http://goodhomeconstruction.blogspot.com/2012/11/1929-spanish-bungalow-full-kitchen-and.html?m=1 edited to add: Hi! I was just passing through tonight. Avoiding the rest of my laundry. You can find me more on Home Decorating. We're also in So Cal, but not on the beach.

Wow what a lovely plan. You must be very excited. Must the entire house be done all at once? I believe everyone who has done a minor update in their home (half bath ) to a giant full home renovation has to go through the dreaded Want vs Need list. Each person or corporation doing a renovation must figure out their budget and what they want to spend on their project.. Some people have unlimited funds but even those folks put together a plan. Do you have a General contractor or is your architect doing both? Sometimes a GC can really help control costs and help control the scope of a project and stay within budget. With that said, is your scope itemized or listed in sections per price? Your contractor/architect could probably help you figure out how to trim costs and to even do things in sections. What has your architect suggested? I would go through your list of wants vs needs and see which falls into place. Sometimes it is about deciding the structure (basement) of the house is more of a need while the La Cornue Grand Palais range is more of a want. I wonder if filling in the basement might end up being the cheaper option in the end? With a smaller basement you could make your entire project smaller. So much to think about but I am sure you can do it! You are on your way to making your dream home a reality.