Home Gardening Stephanie Rausser and Lawrence Cowell’s Bali-Impressed Outside Area in Petaluma, CA

Stephanie Rausser and Lawrence Cowell’s Bali-Impressed Outside Area in Petaluma, CA

Tabon Batang
-
0
Stephanie Rausser and Lawrence Cowell’s Bali-Impressed Outside Area in Petaluma, CA


On a quiet facet road dotted with older properties and industrial buildings in downtown Petaluma, California, is a secret backyard: the surprising Balinese-inspired “yard” (you’ll perceive why that is in quotes as you learn on) of business photographers Stephanie Rausser and Lawrence Cowell. The area is thoughtfully named “Alchemy,” for the best way it seamlessly combines gardening, cooking, and design. “Every factor enhances the others to create one thing higher than the sum of its components,” explains Lawrence.

Be a part of me as we take a tour of this magical area:

Images by Stephanie Rausser and Lawrence Cowell.

Lawrence, Stephanie, and their rescue dogs, Stan Lee (smuggled in from Bali) and Chicqui, in front of Alchemy. Their actual home is a block away.
Above: Lawrence, Stephanie, and their rescue canine, Stan Lee (smuggled in from Bali) and Chicqui, in entrance of Alchemy. Their precise house is a block away.

Alchemy’s slender 34-by-100-foot lot was weed-infested and bordered by droopy fences when Stephanie and Lawrence bought it in 2005. Initially, the couple meant to construct an workplace there for his or her pictures enterprise, however life and work and children have a approach of slowing—and altering—plans. To not point out, the area lacked primary necessities like electrical energy, sewage connection, and water hookup. So, as an alternative of constructing their workplace, the couple purchased a two-story townhouse a block away that’s now each their house and workplace. “It was a giant choice because the townhouse has no outside area, however we satisfied ourselves it might work if we might make Alchemy work as our ‘yard’,” remembers Stephanie.

Stephanie and Lawrence remodeled a 1966 Airstream so that friends and family can stay here during visits. It also serves as the property’s restroom, as there is no other bathroom on the property. Upright Karl Foerster feather reed grass and red bunny tails fountain grass soften the Airstream and pathway.
Above: Stephanie and Lawrence reworked a 1966 Airstream in order that family and friends can keep right here throughout visits. It additionally serves because the property’s restroom, as there isn’t a different toilet on the property. Upright Karl Foerster feather reed grass and pink bunny tails fountain grass soften the Airstream and pathway.

Over the previous three years, the as soon as uncared for area has developed into greater than only a yard. Immediately it exudes a considerate mixture of magnificence, productiveness, and sustainability.

Lawrence feeding the chickens in the homemade coop, complete with a festive disco ball.
Above: Lawrence feeding the chickens within the home made coop, full with a festive disco ball.

Alchemy has develop into a spot to reap fruits and veggies, acquire eggs—and do some critical barbecuing with family and friends. “Our neighbors usually see us carrying eggs, flowers, and greens from Alchemy to our house down the road,” says Stephanie.

The meandering pathway, according to Lawrence, is a metaphor for life: Things get rocky, life is a bit unpredictable, and you don’t always know what’s around the bend. At the end of it is the gladak he and Stephanie had custom-made in Bali. The pieces were numbered so that the couple would be able to easily assemble it according to the artisan’s instructions. A large patch of comfrey grows on the left and cheery annual sunflowers skirted with California native white yarrow borders the right.
Above: The meandering pathway, in keeping with Lawrence, is a metaphor for all times: Issues get rocky, life is a bit unpredictable, and also you don’t at all times know what’s across the bend. On the finish of it’s the gladak he and Stephanie had custom-made in Bali. The items had been numbered in order that the couple would be capable to simply assemble it in keeping with the artisan’s directions. A big patch of comfrey grows on the left and cheery annual sunflowers skirted with California native white yarrow borders the suitable.

The Javanese design accents had been impressed by the couple’s three-year sabbatical in Bali. They, together with their two youngsters, moved to the island in 2017 and promptly fell in love with the area’s distinctive design parts that at the moment are peppered all through Alchemy. “We had furnishings inbuilt Bali and in October 2o2o, our 20-foot container from Bali arrived. A number of of the items within the container had been particularly made for Alchemy, an important being the gladak [a traditional Javanese wood house] and pergola,” shares Stephanie. The gladak shops all of their utensils, cups, plates, and instruments in order that they don’t must haul objects all the best way over from their house kitchen once they need to dine outside. “We have now an precise kitchen at Alchemy, with a sink with operating water and a propane range, and the lights run on solar energy.”

© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv