When our clients approached us about transforming their property they dreamed of an outdoor oasis that would offer them relaxation & enjoyment all-year-round. They knew they wanted a place to gather & cook outdoors. They also wanted a swimming pool & spa that would create a focal point for the entire backyard. Finally, an overarching goal for the entire design was to give the backyard a more contemporary & modern aesthetic.
We began by developing the swimming pool & spa, as we knew this would be a central element to everything else. We created a linear swimming pool that’s smooth straight lines highlighted the modern feel our clients desired. While often times we will choose to raise the spa as a part of the swimming pool design this time we went in a different direction. We embraced the clean, uninterrupted lines of the pool & simply lowered the spa into overall body of the pool. This gives the pool an incredibly smooth visual across the landscape. Connected to the pool, we also created a stunning accent wall with rich natural stone. We used the wall feature to create a backdrop to the pool & add a stunning water feature to the design. We chose a modern metal scupper for the spillways adding a dramatic sound & visual to the entire backyard.
Our clients not only wanted a swimming pool that was beautiful but they also wanted a pool that was inviting even in the cold of winter. For that reason, we incorporated an automatic pool cover that effectively insulates the water from the chill of the outdoor air. This crucially helps the pool retain valuable heat from the pool heater even in the coldest months. Thanks to these additions, our clients have a pool that is just as usable at Christmas as it is on the 4th of July!
Selecting the right deck material is another critical choice for any swimming pool design. There are pro’s and con’s for many materials but crucially, it must fit with the overall aesthetic of the design. We opted for a light-tan, sand finish concrete for the majority of the project. This gives the flatwork the durability we love with concrete but also offers a number of additional benefits. First, the sand finish concrete offers a much more natural aesthetic than traditional concrete. Also, it offers a more non-slip surface so around pools it is incredibly ideal. Finally, in our experience, as it ages the sand finish concrete is much more forgiving. For all these reasons, our clients loved the idea of using it for their project.
Another item on our clients’ wish list, as part of the pool project, was to incorporate an outdoor shower area. Again, our clients wanted an outdoor shower that would fit their modern aesthetic. We constructed a bold outdoor shower area that is enclosed in glass & features tile walls for more privacy. We also added the extended bench area for changing & seating. This outdoor shower seamlessly fit with the new style of the backyard.
Once the swimming pool area was settled we turned our focus on the outdoor living space area of the project. This process began by creating an expansive shade footprint for our clients to enjoy. We opted for an aluminum structure that created generous shade over the entire patio area. This also allowed us to additional lighting & fans to the space to make for a more welcoming environment. Within the new patio space, we also created a beautiful outdoor kitchen island. The new kitchen island offers plenty of cooking space & spacious bar seating for guests.
Our goal was always to create an outdoor destination for our clients that would ‘pull’ them outside regardless of the season. In keeping with this goal, we also felt like a fire pit would be an essential element to the outdoor living space. We created a custom fire pit that features matching materials with the pool design & adds the beautiful element of fire to the landscape. The fire pit also creates a welcoming outdoor seating bench for our clients & their guests.
Now the transformation is complete & our clients have a backyard that is truly a destination. It is now a gathering place for family & friends along with being a private, relaxing escape for our clients.
