California Garden: East meets West Valley in Canoga Park
Pavan Bhatia of Canoga Park started with a backyard that was uninspired: little landscaping, loads of concrete. The goal was to create a poolside refuge a retreat from the hustle and bustle, she says in a style that reflected her Indian roots. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
An enormous Buddha statue now sits poolside, hiding the saltwater filtration system. Water flows from a fountain below the head, providing a nice auditory element, Bhatia says. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Though she is a fan of modern design and a graduate of the Southern California Institute of Architecture, Bhatia says that things you appreciate dont always translate at home. She was born in India and wanted a poolside pavilion that evoked her cultural roots. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Bhatias son Neil plays guitar in the space used as an outdoor reading cove and meditation area. Working with simple materials from Home Depot and aided by a contractor, Bhatia framed the space with Moorish-inspired cutouts and a canopy of heavy timbers. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
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The outdoor room extends from a detached library. When I was 7 years old, I visited the Taj Mahal and I remembered it vividly, says Bhatia, shown here. I was so inspired. It stayed with me all my life. It has always been in my heart. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
The result is a miniature escape at what Bhatia calls a boring 1968 tract home. Replacing rusted pool pipes with PVC and switching to saltwater, she says, has made swimming more pleasant too. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Fountains, potted plants and fruit trees figs, apples, plums and loquats complete the Eastern-flavored retreat. Im a Valley girl, Bhatia says, laughing. But I hang on to my culture. (Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times)
