Zach Tetreault and Molly Hawkins, a couple working in the music and creative industries, have undertaken an extensive renovation of a historic craftsman home in Pasadena, California, with a focus on designing a drought-resilient garden that complements the property’s early 20th-century architecture. Purchased in 2023, the 291-square-meter residence originally built between 1909 and 1911 by architect Louis du Puget Millar had only two previous owners and featured five bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms requiring significant updates.
Located on a quarter-acre lot in a quieter neighborhood of Pasadena, the property’s outdoor space presented a largely undeveloped canvas. The couple, previously residents of a mid-century home in the Hollywood Hills, chose Pasadena for its small-town atmosphere, larger living spaces, walkability, and proximity—about 12 minutes by car—to the cultural hub of Los Feliz. The area is also known for its rich horticultural heritage, surrounded by renowned sites such as the Los Angeles County Arboretum and The Huntington Botanical Gardens, and features iconic homes by architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Greene & Greene.
To transform the challenging dry backyard, the couple enlisted horticultural designer John Sharp, recognized for his work on the water-conscious gardens of the Garcia House by John Lautner and private residences of actors such as Sophia Bush and Tessa Thompson. Together, they created a landscape that blends indoor and outdoor living and prioritizes sustainability amid Southern California’s increasingly arid climate.
The front yard was converted into a stone labyrinth inspired by Antoni Gaudí’s Parc del Laberint d’Horta in Barcelona. Constructed from Topanga cobble and large boulders, the maze incorporates drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly edible plants such as rosemary, lavender, and Salvia clevelandii (fragrant sage). Sharp describes the circular design as a “meditative, Secret Garden space” for the couple’s two young daughters and notes that it provides both an aesthetic focal point and a functional play area for the family.
Beyond aesthetics, the garden incorporates sustainable design elements responding to ongoing water scarcity concerns in Los Angeles due to climate change. Sharp emphasized the use of drought-resistant native plants, tropical palms, succulents, and cycads with deep root systems that help prevent soil erosion. Permeable groundcover was selected to facilitate rainwater absorption and reduce runoff, while mature trees on the property were preserved to maintain ecosystem health. The landscaping also includes food-bearing trees such as citrus, figs, loquat, and olive, with plans for a greenhouse to support year-round cultivation.
The design integrates reclaimed and vintage materials, including a pergola constructed from salvaged wood sourced from local barns and warehouses, and incorporates a mix of terra cotta pots and reclaimed bricks, adding texture and historical resonance to the outdoor space. The couple regularly uses a restored tea table outdoors, inviting friends and neighbors to gather and enjoy the garden.
Tetreault described the garden as a vibrant and inspiring environment that encourages outdoor connection and reflects the family’s desire for a home with ample space for children to play and for nature to flourish. The project demonstrates a blend of historic preservation, modern lifestyle needs, and environmental responsibility, providing an example of how homeowners in drought-prone regions may balance aesthetic appeal with sustainable practices.