When Oliver John, a professional landscape architectural studio, began work on the Well Played project, the goal was clear but ambitious: transform a large, exposed rural estate into a series of comfortable, highly functional outdoor “rooms” that could support everything from quiet moments as a couple to energetic family gatherings and large-scale entertaining.
The result is a thoughtfully layered landscape where lounging, dining, recreation, and connection coexist seamlessly. With a covered California room, outdoor kitchen and bar, basketball and pickleball court, and multiple lounge zones anchored by Terra Outdoor furnishings, the project demonstrates how intentional design can completely redefine how a property is experienced and used.
All photography by: Pea+Nut Portraits
Designing Around How Life Is Lived
“From the very beginning, we design around how our clients want to use their property.”
pictured above: A lighted outdoor pickleball and basketball court, with an adjacent, shaded seating area. Seating area features Salt Point lounge chairs, Ventura side tables, and cantilever umbrellas.
From the very beginning, outdoor living was central to the design conversation.
According to Oliver John principals Bliss and Jerry, understanding how clients want to use their property is always the first step. In this case, the homeowners had a clear vision for multiple outdoor environments:
- Comfortable lounging spaces
- A large dining area paired with an outdoor kitchen and TV for entertaining
- Active recreation zones including a pickleball court.
Oliver John expanded on that vision by suggesting the addition of a half basketball court and a large synthetic turf area. This enhancement allowed for a variety of spaces for movement, play, and gathering.
Creating Cohesion Across Distinct Outdoor Zones
“Everyone who dines should also have a place to lounge comfortably afterward.”
pictured above: A covered outdoor dining area, featuring the extendable Diablo dining table with Montecito dining chairs. Premium teak Belvedere lounge seating sits in the background.
With so many different uses planned, cohesion becomes a critical design objective.
Oliver John approached the layout by first determining how many people the homeowners wanted to seat at the main dining table. That decision influenced the scale of the adjacent lounge areas, ensuring that every guest who dined would also have a comfortable place to relax afterward. Courtside lounging areas were intentionally sized for smaller groups. These areas allow guests to watch games or unwind between matches.
Equally important was visual connection. Sightlines between spaces were kept open so that guests could see and engage with one another across the property, even when occupying different zones. Circulation was also carefully considered, with generous pathways and furniture layouts that allowed people to move easily from one area to another without feeling constrained.
Balancing Recreation With Comfort
“We wanted people to feel connected to the activity, even if they weren’t playing.”
pictured above: Belvedere lounge chairs and sectional furniture pieces crafted from premium teak surround a fire table.
One of the defining features of the project is the proximity of active and passive spaces.
The basketball and pickleball court sits close enough to the dining and lounging areas that guests can feel connected to the activity, even if they are not participating. A grandparent can relax in a shaded lounge area and still watch a game unfold, maintaining a sense of involvement without sacrificing comfort.
To ensure safety and ease, Oliver John introduced enhanced planter zones around the court. These landscaped buffers help prevent stray balls from interrupting lounging areas while also softening the transition between active and restful spaces.
Solving for Sun, Wind, and Dust
pictured above: Montecito swivel bar chairs sit adjacent to a bar and porcelain-tiled TV wall that doubles as a shield from strong Delta winds.
The site itself presented several challenges. The property suffered from exposed to sun, strong Delta winds, and dust from surrounding agricultural land. These conditions previously discouraged outdoor use altogether.
Oliver John addressed these challenges through a combination of architectural elements, landscape planning, and furniture selection. A porcelain-tiled TV wall behind the outdoor kitchen serves not only as a visual focal point but also as a substantial wind barrier for the dining space. Tall evergreen plantings were introduced to provide additional wind protection as they mature.
For shade and weather protection, the design incorporates large cantilever umbrellas and a custom shade structure with mechanical louvers. These louvers can be adjusted to allow winter sunlight and airflow or fully closed to shield against summer heat and rain. Given the dusty environment, furnishings and fabrics required the specific qualities:
- Easy to clean
- Visually forgiving
- Durable enough to handle the elements without constant maintenance.
Furniture as a Foundational Design Element
“Once you sit, you should never want to leave.”
pictured above: Lounge seating from Terra’s Pasadena collection, surrounding a Bolinas coffee table.
Furniture selection played a role from the very start of the project.
Oliver John honed in early on the client’s contemporary aesthetic and preference for low maintenance. Next they selected furniture based on how many people each space needed to accommodate. Top priorities included durability and comfort, along with a curated look that felt layered rather than overly matched.
For dining, flexibility was key. The extendable dining table allows the homeowners to host large gatherings while still feeling appropriately scaled for everyday meals with family. Comfort was non-negotiable. The design of each space intended that once guests sat down, they would want to stay.
Why Terra Outdoor Was the Right Fit
“Good pieces are an investment and should get better with age, not worse.”
pictured above: Close up of the Salt Point lounge chairs, crafted from premium teak.
Terra Outdoor’s collections aligned naturally with both the project goals and the homeowners’ aesthetic.
Bliss and Jerry noted that Terra’s ability to mix teak and metal finishes allowed them to create cohesive furniture groupings that still felt dynamic and intentional. The clean lines and neutral palette of Terra furniture complemented the contemporary architecture of the home. This enabled color and visual interest to come from the surrounding landscape rather than the furnishings themselves.
<>Equally important was performance. Terra Outdoor furniture is designed to weather well over time. Durability is an essential quality for clients who want to enjoy their spaces without worrying about constant upkeep. As Oliver John sees it, quality outdoor furniture should be an investment that improves with age, not one that requires ongoing concern.
Standout Pieces That Brought the Vision Together
Several Terra Outdoor pieces played especially important roles in the final design.
The Salt Point teak lounge chairs were a natural choice for the court-adjacent seating areas. Their comfort, durability, and ability to weather beautifully without cushions made them ideal for placement deeper into the landscape, where convenience and ease were paramount.
The Montecito Swivel Bar Chairs were another key element. Their swivel function allows guests seated at the outdoor kitchen bar to easily engage with diners, spectators, and players across the property. The open polyolefin rope weave keeps the chairs visually light, ensuring the detailed porcelain tile work of the kitchen remains visible while still providing comfort and functionality.
A Landscape Designed to Be Lived In
The Well Played project is a testament to what can happen when design begins with lifestyle and follows through with intention at every scale. By addressing environmental challenges, planning for real-world use, and selecting furnishings that balance beauty with performance, Oliver John created an outdoor environment that invites connection, activity, and relaxation in equal measure.
It is not just a collection of outdoor spaces. It’s a landscape designed to be lived in, day after day, season after season.