When our clients purchased their new construction home, they knew the backyard would be a ‘blank slate’. They were excited about the idea of creating their perfect backyard getaway & at the same time, a little unsure of where to start. During our first consultation, we quickly identified the key wants they had. First, they desperately wanted a swimming pool that was big enough to swim laps in & enjoyable for their grandchildren. Next, they wanted a spacious patio area that was shaded from the intense Summer temperatures. They also wanted a dedicated area for productive gardening. Finally, they of course wanted lush landscaping that fit with the style of their home.
We first began by focusing on the swimming pool design, as we knew this would be a central focus of the entire property. We created a spacious swimming pool design that was longer for swimming laps & more spacious for the splashing of rambunctious grandchildren. We also added an extended bench that stretches the entire length of the pool so that children & adults could easily take a rest. Finally, we gave our clients’ pool design an elevated look & feel by using a rich pebble finish for the interior.
Beyond the swimming pool design, we turned our attention to creating a spacious patio design for our clients’ enjoyment. For the flatwork, we stuck with a traditional broom finish concrete to help the new patio connect with the concrete that had already been provided by the builder. Next, we focused on adding shade to the backyard. We chose an aluminum lattice pergola to create a generous shade footprint over the majority of the deck. Our clients loved the look of the structure & the shade it granted them. We also wanted to add some enjoyment during the colder months, so we incorporated a custom firepit on the deck as well.
Developing our clients’ property was not without its unique challenges. The builder had left a sizeable slope all-along the eastern side yard that had to be addressed. We did not want to waste a tremendous amount of our clients’ budget remediating a slope, but it was essential for accomplishing many of their backyard goals. Therefore, we decided on using a simple but beautiful tan split-faced block for the retaining wall. This material gives the wall a more natural aesthetic without ‘breaking the bank’. We also did not want to overly burden our clients with maintenance by covering the sloped area in plant material. Instead, we opted for beautiful Vitex trees that when mature will cover a majority of the slope & provide a beautiful bloom in early Summer.
In addition to the main retaining wall, we also added a smaller raised planter for our clients’ productive garden needs. This would give our clients a dedicated space to plant herbs, fruits & vegetables. The elevated nature of the raised planter would also make it so much easier to tend to the productive garden area. The raised planter also doubles as a seating bench for our clients’ large family gatherings.
Our final area of attention was to develop a lush landscaping design that would fit our clients’ home & the surrounding environment. Specifically, our clients’ home is situated with views of the rolling hills that surround the Bakersfield area. For that reason, we incorporated beautiful Southern Live Oak trees to give the backyard shade & a strong evergreen presence. For the lower plantings, we focused on a variety of ornamental grasses, colorful Daylilies, carpet white roses & durable Hawthorne plants. When combined, these plants offer our clients a wide variety of colors & textures.
Now that the beautiful landscaping, the gorgeous swimming pool, & spacious patio are completed our clients feel like their new home is finally complete!