A home-office laboratory where regenerative practices are tested, inquiring minds learn and much of the magic happens.

Welcome to Studio Petrichor. A homestead and design studio that is ever-evolving.

Nestled just below the Angeles National Forest, in the San Gabriel Mountains, in Altadena, CA, this modest 1947, post-war, traditional-minimal home caught our attention and has enriched our lives and now a place of respite and inspiration for the Studio Petrichor design team.

The front garden is framed by one continuous hugelkultur berm, built from all materials found onsite, and planted with all California native plants. The front rain garden captures just shy of 600 gallons of water on 1” of rain and supports the roots of the very old trees. The design and location of the hugelkultur berm is raised just high enough, and planted accordingly, to block views from the asphalt road and parked cars, while connecting to our neighbors’ landscapes and the San Gabriel Mountains beyond. Our mailbox was an ongoing project that represents elements on all four sides. Earth, Air, Water and Fire are depicted in my second attempt to learn mosaic. It is always helpful to remind oneself of our existence and connection to the natural world.

The back garden is still growing in so stay tuned for images soon.