Yoon Hee and son David Chun enjoy the kitchen area. Santa Monica, CA

David Chun, a young architect in Santa Monica, California, tore down his family's home and transformed the property into a serene garden sanctuary. Borrowing elements from his parents' Korean heritage, David designed a 4,900 square foot home that's a combination of cherry wood and cement, surrounded by four gardens and a $35,000 koi pond. Water is a thematic element used throughout the property, and the koi pond provides Mr. Chun with hours of quiet contemplation and the sound of the waterfall soothes the entire family. The interior of the floor provides an open floor plan where each room opens into the next. All the floors are made of hardwood maple and the furniture color scheme is neutral so as not to clash. For the Chun family, this home is truly their Shangri-La.

Deconstruct: Decorating the Garden Sanctuary

• Taburet Stacking Stools: $240 each
  Available at: www.dwr.com

• Minardos Construction Fire Pit: $3,000
  Built by: www.minardos.com

• ZF Marble Countertops: $70 per sq. foot
  Available at: ZF Marble, Sun Valley, Calif.

• Mosaic Tiles: $10 per sq. foot
  Available at: www.californiaarttile.com

• Americh Bath Tub: $2,000
  Available at: www.americh.com

• Kroin Faucets: $700 each
  Available at: Kroin/Vola, Horsens, Denmark

• Bent Rattan Chairs: $900 each
  Available at: Rubbish, Los Angeles, Calif.

• Bar Stools: $1,200 each
  Available at: Skank World, Los Angeles, Calif.
  Similar stools can be found at: www.ikeausa.com, www.furniture.com, www.barstoolemporium.com

Purchasing information is not available for the following:
Glass Top Grid Table: $2,000
Calia Leather Chairs: $800 each
Koi Pond: $35,000
Blueprint Vases: $30-$60
Shelter Lamp: $1,200
Golden Bear Ottomans: $490 each
Shelter Dining Room Table: $2,200
Shelter Platform Bed: $1,600

Designer's Notebook: The Garden Sanctuary

• Feng Shui has practical uses for your home and garden.
  
• A water feature increases humidity in your home and alleviates pollutants.
  
• Indoor plants help filter toxins from the air.
  
• Warm colors in the bedroom can help give you a good night's sleep.
  
• Try to use natural lighting or halogen lights in your home.
  
• Melaleuca trees are native to Australia and produce tea tree oil, which is used as a natural antiseptic.
  
• Japanese koi range in price from $10 up to $10,000.