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REWRITING THE CLIENT’S CHECKLIST Michael Bernier Describes the Rationale Behind This $100,000 California Zen Paradise
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f you attended SYNKD Live 2024, you might have heard Michael Bernier, founder of Michael Bernier Design and Think Outside Landscape Design Academy, speak about the significance of design in landscaping. An advocate for pushing the envelope, Michael views quality design as the pulley system raising the bar for the industry as a whole. A case study for his stance, this tranquil Los Angeles bungalow exemplifies the web of influences that make for outstanding results. Understanding the client’s personality, Michael explains, was a critical first step for this project. “He was this wild kind of guy, a real artist with trippy artwork everywhere in his home,” says Michael. “Everything about him was outside of the box. Had I not walked through the house, I would not have seen
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that. The client was also tattooed from head to toe. He had a shaved head and piercings. He wore a punk rock band t-shirt.
There are clues I picked up on that told me I can push this. When the client initially reached out, he merely asked for a pathway leading from the patio to the pool and a solution for the grass that would lessen the burden of cleaning muddy dog paw prints off his floor. At this precursory visit, Michael learned about the client’s approach to
creativity in his profession as a Hollywood film trailer editor. When asked about hobbies, the client revealed that his partner enjoyed cooking, a small detail that later blossomed into a full outdoor kitchen, complete with a barbecue and fridge.
“Going into that initial meeting—this is something I warn other contractors and designers about, too—I didn’t want to be an
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