Joe Cardoza came into my life about 15 years ago when I was asked to serve on Claremont's Architectural Commission. At that time, he was chairman of the design review commission. The commission, comprised of two members from the design field, two from the community at large, one Architect and one Landscape Architect (which was my position). We reviewed all developments large or small in Claremont. Joe was a tremendous chair as he was a strong, fair leader who moved effortlessly though Parliamentary Procedure. During my tenure on the commission, he asked me to help design his back garden. His home located in a fashionable area of Claremont called Padua. The house previously belonged to Mrs. Gainey of Gainey Ceramics, the architecture has a 1950's Palm Spring feel. The property, even before Mrs. Gainey was part of the Sunkist Growers Association which was a Claremont institution.
His tastes are quite masculine with a hint of the Orient. We wanted to incorporate the existing mature citrus trees and a small lawn (referencing his East Coast roots). Joe also wanted a place for late afternoon drinks, as he frequently entertained the Architectural Commission and City Staff. The garden as one can see above (and below) has matured gracefully. Recently we have been back in his garden to refine what I originally designed, plus design and develop a garden for the front (West Garden), a small courtyard, and a very hot patio (South Garden). We also selectively pruned the magnificent citrus trees to reveal their stately structure, properly pruned the Japanese Maples (they are museum quality), developed a new plan for placing art in the garden and retrofitted the irrigation system (after 15 years it needed some work). It was a joy to see how a properly planned garden matures with grace and elegance. I am quite proud of the garden and Joe for his attention to detail.
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~Selected Client List~
Abby and Jack Parsons
Vicke and John Selk
Pat Coye
Stephanie Horton
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Swafford
Carol Holder and John Mallinckrodt
Francesca DiFranco Gallagan
Gloria and Noman Howe
Terry Endo Smith
Joseph Cardoza
Judith and David Tanenbaum
Barbara Cheatley
Holly and Scott Milliken
Linda Lee Worlow
Mary and Hank Perera
Lana and Robert Kreivis
Nancy Wing
Victoria and Suketu Bhavsar
Cordova Park Villas
Southern Pipe and Supply
Ken and Sue Andrews
Jill Grigsby
Kent Hughes and Deborah Page
Margaret Ramos
Danny and Gracie Ramos
Tom and Heather Hartshorn
Patricia Dillon
Linda Davis Taylor
Stephanie Takahashi
Steve Saute and Cindy VanSteelant
Kim Clarkin
Kate Unger
Pierre Volholganzang
Peggy Blake
Linda Matsumo
Tom Braun
Sean Brusky and Amanda Hollis Brusky
Indah Bulan
Stephen T. Swaffford, BLA
Michael A. Rodriguez
Design@IndahBulan.com
323-788-5163
