When our clients purchased their new home, the backyard was nothing but a dirt lot. The property was a little bit on the smaller side but that did not stop our clients from dreaming big. They wanted an outdoor oasis that would be perfect for relaxing & entertaining. Their ‘wish list’ included: a swimming pool, an outdoor kitchen, patio space for entertaining & beautiful landscaping.
We began the design process by focusing on what would become the central focal point of the backyard design: the swimming pool. Our clients did not want a swimming pool that would dominate the entire backyard. Rather, they wanted a pool design that would feel proportional to the lot, be functional for chilling out in the hot months & be a beautiful visual for the backyard. We instantly knew that this would be an ideal project to design a plunge pool.
Plunge pools are compact pools that are created more for relaxation than swimming. They are perfect for smaller properties or simply for clients that do not need a massive swimming pool. We designed our client’s plunge pool to feel comfortable & inviting without taking up too much space. We also saw an opportunity to create a large water feature out of the smaller pool. Therefore, we added three beautiful metal scuppers against a raised accent wall that now creates a gorgeous fountain feature. We absolutely love the combination of natural stone, metal spillways, & cool blue water.
Surrounding the plunge pool, we wanted to create seating areas & patio space for our clients. Our clients wanted a hardscape option that would be cost-effective & offer a more elevated look that traditional concrete. We suggested using a grey broom finish concrete with a ‘diamond joint’ pattern. This gives a beautiful finish look of large ‘pavers’ at a fraction of the cost of traditional pavers or tile. In addition to the larger patio spaces, we created actual formed & poured pavers for the lawn spaces.
The next item on our list was to create an outdoor kitchen island that fit this smaller space. We designed a beautiful island that offers our clients all the essentials. It features a gas grill, an outdoor-rated fridge, & bar seating for guests. We used the same natural stone on the outdoor kitchen that is featured on the pool to tie elements together. Our clients opted for a granite countertop that gives the island a truly rich look.
Now that our swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, & hardscape items had been addressed, we now focused on the general landscape of the property. First, we wanted to bring the feeling of the garden as close to the swimming pool as possible; therefore, we added two contemporary concrete pots at the entry of the plunge pool. These are great for seasonal color & annuals to brighten up the backyard. The stark white color of the pots also beautifully accentuates the color of the flowers & the contrast to the greys of the concrete.
Beyond the pool deck area, we focused on plantings that would soften the perimeter walls & fences. We used a combination of Photinias, Japanese Blueberries & Olive trees to give us a green backdrop to the property. We also incorporated boxwood hedges to further highlight the lines of the garden. And for color we used one of our favorites, the White Iceberg Rose, to give reliable color throughout the year.
Our client’s may have started with a small dirt lot, but now they have beautiful outdoor living space that is as enjoyable as it is stunning.
