Emma Flanders, founder of HAWKs LA, has created an outdoor space in Los Angeles that’s equal parts design studio, dinner party, and jungle gym. With Victory Garden LA planter boxes overflowing with produce, a chic treehouse tucked into the landscape, and a philosophy rooted in play and purpose, her garden captures the spirit of how young West Coasters want to live now. This story spotlights Flanders’ edible planting strategy, her approach to outdoor entertaining with kids in mind, and how the ethos of her brand—equal parts fashion, function, and fun—translates to her home garden.
Jillian Palucis
Where Play Meets Purpose
Emma’s vision for her outdoor space wasn’t a strict blueprint—it was a feeling. She wanted a secret garden tucked into the city, a little pocket of wild magic where kids could explore freely and adults could finally exhale. The design evolved naturally, blending play, purpose, and beauty. One of the earliest additions was a treehouse, thoughtfully designed by Pasadena dad Bryce Ryness to look like it had always belonged—nestled like a fairytale among the trees. The mini-farm came later, with some trial and error (hello, critter covers!) before it truly took shape.
Beauty and function go hand in hand for Emma. Instead of a utilitarian vegetable patch, she integrated edible plants like herbs, strawberries, citrus trees, artichokes, and greens seamlessly into the landscape alongside flowers and native plants. Garden beds are placed to complement lounge areas, creating a space that’s both cohesive and inviting. Her favorite moments? Watching kids pick lemons and mint for lemonade or grab snap peas before dinner—turning the garden into a hands-on classroom where food growing sparks curiosity and wonder.
Jillian Palucis
Finding Balance: Kid Zones and Adult Hangouts
Creating flow is key to balancing playful kid zones with relaxing adult spaces. Emma tucked the treehouse and fire pit deeper into the yard for adventurous kids, while positioning the dining table near the kitchen for easy access. The pool and outdoor dining areas are designed for casual conversation, with plenty of seating and shade so grown-ups can unwind while still keeping an ear out for the kids’ laughter. The result is a seamless mix of lively play and calm relaxation.
Jillian Palucis
Emma highlights a recent egg hunt as a perfect example of the garden’s easy rhythm. Friends dropped in throughout the day, cooking together and sharing meals, while the children roamed freely. It was a joyful, village-like vibe—exactly the kind of community-feel she strives to create.
Her edible garden plays a starring role in outdoor entertaining. Instead of last-minute store runs, fresh herbs, citrus, and veggies are plucked straight from the garden, adding a natural, seasonal touch to meals. Simple dishes like tomato basil salad and garden sangria keep things fresh and effortless. Emma’s top hosting tip? Keep it casual. Kids just want space and simple activities, and the more relaxed the host, the better the day flows for everyone.
Jillian Palucis
A Backyard That Teaches and Inspires
Emma’s work with HAWKs LA—a program dedicated to connecting kids with nature through hands-on experiences—deeply influences her backyard design. Her garden is never “finished”; it’s a living, breathing space that welcomes wildness and invites curiosity. Pollinator-friendly plants, open soil for bugs, and natural materials encourage kids to explore, ask questions, and get messy, creating a seamless extension of her mission to nurture a lifelong love of the outdoors.
Gardens are more than pretty spaces—and Emma is a firm believer they can be outdoor classrooms where kids develop “experiential empathy.” Watching a seed grow, building a stick shelter, or noticing a bee on a flower creates a deeper connection to nature than any screen or book could provide. Lessons from HAWKs, like “Leave No Trace” and slowing down to observe small wonders, shape her approach, allowing parts of the yard to remain wild and scrappy.
Balancing adventure with relaxation means layering the garden into zones that serve both energy and ease. Kids have spaces to run and climb, while adults can unwind by the pool or hammock. Shared spaces like the fire pit or sun-warmed tomato vines invite moments of connection where the line between kid and adult space melts away—making the backyard a true haven for all.
Jillian Palucis
A Garden That Grows With Its Family
Emma sees her garden as a living, ever-changing space that evolves alongside her family and business. As the kids grow, so will the backyard—the clubhouse may shift into an art or music studio, the treehouse might swap its swing for a hammock chair, and the muddy play areas may give way to more fire pit gatherings. Yet, the pockets of wildness will always remain, honoring the garden’s lessons in rhythm, resilience, and seasonal change. Beyond just a family retreat, she envisions the space becoming more of a community hub, a place to gather, celebrate, and share the deep connection to nature that’s central to her work with HAWKs.
The future holds plenty of exciting possibilities. Emma dreams of adding a tiny greenhouse for starting seedlings and drying herbs, and she’s even intrigued by playful ideas like a tin-can telephone with neighbors. A cedar hot tub and more kinetic wind sculptures by Lyman Whitaker are also on her wish list—each addition unfolding naturally, reflecting the garden’s ongoing story. Here, the thought is that no space is ever truly finished; it’s about staying open to growth, change, and the joyful surprises that come with it.