Homeowner: Shahram Kohan and Tara Manoochehri

Occupation: Jewelry Sales & Stay At Home Mom

Home Location: Bel Air, CA

Tara and Shahram purchased their home in Bel Air because they loved the location and thought that the 31,000 ft parcel of land was great for something special. And as they brainstormed on how to transform the raw land into an outdoor oasis, the vision became a true passion that launched one of the greatest outdoor spaces in Los Angeles. While raising two young girls, Tara dreamt of creating a space to inspire and challenge them, while also being a spot for the adults to find relaxation and peace, and her husband wanted to craft something that none of their neighbors had ever seen before and that would be the talk of the town. After much planning, and a year and a half of construction and landscaping, the family had their epic space: a jungle themed oasis complete with numerous waterfalls, a Japanese-themed gazebo, and several strategic patios for relaxation and fun. The outdoor heaven also includes a pizza oven for cooking family dinner, and has small and unique touches like tiny bridges to accent the water that runs through the property.

When the couple added a third child, who is now 11, they were excited to find that their backyard dream turned into not only the talk of Bel Air, but also the highlight of their son’s social life! After inviting over a friend for a playdate, the family quickly had a request from the entire school to see if the class students could come for a field trip, and they hosted over 30 kids in their amazing space. After that, the family also utilized the space for beautiful fundraisers to raise money for the school, or for other worthy causes. Now, they frequently use the space as a way to give back and to encourage others, and often host visitors for special events, including one couple who got engaged on their back terrace!

• The outdoor space occupies an incredible 31,000 sq feet, with numerous levels and several waterfalls and individual ponds, streams, and tiny bridges to cross as you make your way around the tropical oasis.

• Faux rock pool and hot tub

• The outdoor area is designed to look like it is built into a rock bed, and includes details like a cave, which make the space feel like a resort or an amusement park! The colored and stamped concrete was carefully designed by the homeowners and took over a year and a half to complete.

• Every inch of the outdoor space includes lush greenery and palm trees that rival the best resorts in Hawaii or other tropical locations, and the greenery is visible from all of the windows in the house. It is also visible from the Beverly Hills golf course, where golfers often pause to marvel at the amazing outdoor space.

• The newly remodeled kitchen has a stamped ceiling designed to mimic sand bricks, giving a distinct middle eastern vibe.

• In the living room, the homeowner personally designed the ceiling to mimic the incredible and intricate ceilings of properties he visited in European locales like Rome and Paris.