Anatomy of an Outdoor Dinner Party

“Casual but swank” is how landscape designer Jason Isenberg describes his outdoor gatherings. And the sunken “party pit” that he designed for his backyard suits his easy living style.

Everything he needs to prepare meals outdoors is here in his countertop kitchen, and a few steps away is a stylish veggie garden that yields many of the ingredients he likes to use.

Jason mans the grill, but he invites his guests to pick the vegetables, then clean and slice them—with a cool mojito in hand, of course.

A built-in sofa with lime green cushions gets cozy beside the gas firepit. It also keeps guests close to the long concrete counter with the wok, a deep sink that doubles as a beverage cooler, and the buffet area.

Lavender-gray echeverias cluster in a yellow-green bowl that matches Jason’s color scheme and no-fuss style.
 
Make your own succulent garden centerpiece:
http://www.sunset.com/home/outdoor-living/make-outdoor-centerpiece-video-00400000039982/