Santa Monica backyard renovated

In the old backyard, the areas for outdoor dining and lounging were ill-defined and unprotected from the sun. Landscape architect Joseph Marek created a pergola to shade the new outdoor kitchen and dining table. He added a separate space for lounging around a fire bowl. (Joseph Marek)

Landscape architect Joseph Marek in the Santa Monica backyard he redesigned.  (Ricardo DeAratanmha / Los Angeles Times)

View of the backyard from inside the dining room.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A tiled fountain provides a charming backdrop and calming sound to a table and chairs in the central court. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Marek conceived parts of the yard as extensions of the rooms inside the house and made every inch count.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A glass-tiled spa was created in the pool, replacing an outdated hot tub and bringing the design into the 21st century. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Wisteria hangs from the pergola over an outdoor dining table. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The backyard of this Santa Monica home was redesigned by landscape architect Joseph Marek. (Ricardo DeAratanmha / Los Angeles Times)

Marek added a wood pergola with stucco columns off the indoor kitchen. (Ricardo DeAratanmha / Los Angeles Times)

A detail of the Santa Monica backyard designed by landscape architect Joseph Marek. (Ricardo DeAratanmha / Los Angeles Times )

The pool in the Santa Monica backyard. (Ricardo DeAratanmha / Los Angeles Times)

Landscape architect Joseph Marek packed a ton of function and seamless design into a Mediterranean-style garden for clients in Santa Monica. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A pond filled with water lilies greets visitors to the Santa Monica home, signaling the quiet retreat to be found in the backyard. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times )

Water lilies on a pond in the front yard.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)