Mention the phrase "Earth-friendly," and the words "stylish" and "livable" don't necessarily leap to mind. But two Los Angeles homeowners created a garden haven that is all those things.

"If you live in the city, you need the balance of nature to stay sane," says architect Gabe Gelbart. That's why instead of expanding their 1,250-square-foot Spanish colonial revival home — even though there was ample room on the lot to do so — Gelbart and landscape designer Paul Rhoadzhagen decided to keep the house compact and let the garden shine, providing plenty of outdoor living nooks, colorful plantings that require little water, and lessons on incorporating environmentally sound materials and practices into the landscape.

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The lush and inviting greenbelt around the house provides inspiration for gardeners everywhere. Says Gelbart, "Living this way is the best thing you can do for the Earth."

4 EASY WAYS TO GO GREEN IN YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

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Karyn R. Millet	1. Make paths permeable Materials such as gravel permit water to percolate into the soil instead of running off into the street. Wide pathways of decomposed granite in this backyard easily allow rainwater through to the roots of the New Zealand flax, grasses, and colorful perennials growing nearby. The "fountain" is filled with cool blue senecio.
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Karyn R. Millet	2. Use recycled furniture Someone else's castoffs can be freshened and given new life as garden decor. A recycled mirror and a cafe chair create an intimate spot on the terrace.
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Karyn R. Millet	3. Choose unthirsty plants The Mediterranean plants in this garden aren't just modest in their water demands, they also stand up to the alkaline soil, low humidity, and hot, dry winds. Echeveria and New Zealand flax fill a pot.
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Karyn R. Millet	4. Make use of natural cooling When the house gets too warm in summer, Gelbart and Rhoadzhagen simply move outdoors to one of the several small open-air rooms they've created to expand their living space. This alfresco dining area is just outside the kitchen; lit by the sun and cooled by the breeze, it consumes zero energy.

Design: Warwick Group, Beverly Hills (310/556-7711)

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