Our clients had always dreamed of having a custom swimming pool & spa, so when they were finally ready to take the “plunge” they called Monji Landscape Companies to bring it to life. There existing backyard was pretty basic. In fact, the entire backyard was grass except for a small concrete patio. But to our design team, this was like a ‘blank slate’ & was filled with opportunity! Our design team set out to create the perfect swimming pool & spa for clients.
We first started by creating a list of our clients’ must-have items for their swimming pool & spa. They wanted a spa that was large enough for their guests to feel comfortable. They also wanted a waterfall or fountain incorporated into the design so that they could hear the relaxing sounds of falling water. Finally, they wanted a swimming pool that would best fit their smaller backyard.
We began by settling on the shape of the pool itself. We knew that because our clients had a smaller backyard, that straight lines would be perfect for creating a beautiful, contemporary pool design. This linear shape would also make best use of the available space in the backyard. Our clients also loved the look of a more modern pool, so this fit their tastes perfectly. Now that we had agreed on a general shape of the pool we could look at the details of the design.
When designing the spa, we considered that our clients wanted plenty of room to ensure it felt enjoyable & not overcrowded. So many homeowners undersize their spa & then they are left with a spa that is really only comfortable for a couple. We also elevated the spa so that this would create two added benefits to the overall pool design: first it would create additional outdoor seating for guests to use (by sitting on the spa cap) & secondly the spillway from the spa would create an added water feature. These were small but impactful design changes that our clients truly loved about their new design.
Another critical element for our client’s new swimming pool & spa design was to come up with a water feature that would blend perfectly with the aesthetics of the pool. We instinctively knew a rock waterfall would feel out-of-place. Therefore, we came up with a simple yet beautiful accent wall with sheer descents. This rich accent wall runs the length of the pool & has a rugged natural stone exterior side. This natural stone veneer would also be used on the raised spa & the client’s outdoor kitchen island. The clean & classic look of the sheers gives the pool a timeless water fountain effect that creates a soothing sound as well.
The hardscape or decking of the pool was also an essential design decision for us in wanting to reimagine our clients’ property. We wanted a hardscape that would give a more natural tone to the backyard, compliment the stonework on the pool, & be easy to maintain. Therefore, we recommended doing a colored concrete in a simple broom finish. The warmer, light tan tones of the concrete create a much more inviting deck than boring grey. Also, the colored concrete was a wonderful compliment to the veneer stone on the accent wall, spa & outdoor kitchen area.
Along with the stunning new custom swimming pool & spa, we also created an expansive outdoor patio & a gorgeous outdoor kitchen island. These additions, plush the addition of lush landscaping, have completely transformed our clients’ backyard. Now, they have the perfect vacation destination right outside their backdoor.