ISLES-Pool Area
Idea to try: Set a coastal theme with beachy accents. To avoid falling into beach kitsch territory, choose natural pieces that subtly draw a connection with the coast, or fall back on classic blue and white for pillows, rugs and throws. For example, try using a large shell-style planter (as was done here) or piece of driftwood as a vessel for planting succulents, or filling a low bowl with glass beach floats as a table centerpiece.
Compact Backyard in Key West, Florida Designer: Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture While limited in square footage, this garden around an 1800s carriage house in Key West’s historic district presented an opportunity for Florida landscape architect Craig Reynolds. Following his client’s requests for an outdoor lounge, hot tub, outdoor dining area and outdoor shower, Reynolds worked all the outdoor living elements into the 900-square-foot outdoor area like a jigsaw puzzle, with room left to spare for tropical plants to soften the edges. “I refer to it as a little jewel box,” he says of the space.
If relaxing in the evening is one of your favorite ways to enjoy an outdoor space, adding soft outdoor lighting can transform your backyard into a dreamy, resort-style retreat. The designer of this San Francisco Bay Area backyard used hanging lanterns, spotlights on trees, downcast wall lights and the flicker of a gas fire pit to create a magical evening ambience.
Siting the pool, pavilion and other prominent backyard features to be visible from key view portals inside the house, Was as important as playing off straight and curved lines. Entertaining was also important to the homeowners. The luxe pavilion includes an outdoor kitchen, dining space, lounge and fireplace, and looks out on the spa.
Westwood says the close collaboration between the homeowner and all professionals involved was key to the success of the final design. “Owner, architect, landscape architect and builder all needed to work as a team to design the new flow” of the home and garden, he says. General contracting: Easterly Building Interior design and interior material selection: Koastal Design Group - Kira Krümm & Co. Interior and exterior decorating and textile selection: Nantucket Looms Project management: Dave Easterly
Designed for easy indoor-outdoor flow, this waterfront backyard in Naples, Florida, showcases the best elements of outdoor living. Doors from the home open straight onto a new outdoor entertaining area, which includes a dining table under an elegant wooden pergola, a poolside outdoor lounge and a fire pit area — all of which have peaceful views of palm trees, lush plantings and a serene lake.
A pair of teak and canvas outdoor chaise lounges are an ideal spot to take in some sun and dry off from the pool. Rush used a stone frog statue to create the custom outdoor umbrella stand. The custom bronze side table features a top that mimics the leaf of a ginkgo biloba tree. The spherical stone water feature tucked in back atop a bed of river stones completes the relaxing scene.
**A sunken spa nestles into the corner of the courtyard, with a metal ring encircling it and concealing the cut ends of the ipe deck. The design team suggested a round tub early on in the project, both to contrast the rest of the courtyard’s mostly square design and to suggest the feeling of a Japanese soaking tub. Glass mosaic tiles cover the spa, creating a dark and subtle space. “[It adds a] quietness and mystique,” Jones says. “It’s not bright and blue.”
**Zuri Premium Decking in Weathered Gray
Expansive sliding doors disappear into adjacent glass walls. Their tracks are flush with the ground, making the transition between indoors and outdoors nearly seamless. “The interior and exterior materials overlap through the glass walls of the house, and plants appear to come into the house because of the large glazed openings and the layering of the spaces.” The design team focused on creating a casual, beachy space that feels contemporary but also reflects a Zen-inspired vibe. Wood and white brick flow from the home out into the courtyard, strengthening the indoor-outdoor connection. The palette of ipe wood — used on the deck for its durability and sustainability — combined with custom concrete brick and the colored concrete monoblock of the fireplace gives the project a natural modern vibe.
The 12-by-18-foot pool was designed to feel like a swimming hole. Unlike some pools, which are designed as a yard’s focal point, this doesn’t dominate the design. It’s nestled into the yard and features narrow entry stairs that have to be “discovered.” The same oolite stone used throughout the project forms a backdrop to the pool, with water streaming down it like a natural fountain. The stones create the feeling of being in a grotto. Mexican volcanic stone forms the pool’s coping, and individual chunks of the same stone make up the steps that lead down into the pool.
Sun Shelf for 2 loungers, easy entry to spa... I like the spa & shelf on the same side allowing a 'lap lane' on the other side of pool.
Retreating to a fully enclosed, air-conditioned space like a pool house — while surely welcome on the most sweltering days — doesn’t create the same easy, breezy mood of hanging in the backyard. Having a spot to gather where you can savor the fresh air and cool breeze and enjoy a solid roof overhead to shade the sun offers the best of both worlds.
If the visual weight of bar grating and perforated metals is too heavy, you might consider a wire mesh product such as this one. Wire mesh comes in a variety of configurations from crimped (for stability) to woven (loose like fabric) to welded (more rigid). The most cost effective of these for an overhead trellis are made using repurposed and commonly available welded wire fabric (WWF), typically used to reinforce concrete slabs. With the proper structure, it can support vegetation and subtly define a seating area.
The overhead plane provides different opportunities for using metal mesh. Thoughtful solar design is on everyone’s design agenda today, and solar shading devices like this one marry energy-conscious elements seamlessly with the architecture. The perforated metal used here is an excellent choice for this application, because the shape, size and spacing of the openings can be customized and finely tuned based on a particular solar exposure. Because it’s made by punching holes from a thin sheet of metal, it’s lighter, which reduces the need for a heavy support structure.
Take a cue from cafés. Carve out a defined patio space within a larger yard with extra-large planters around the border. Fill the planters flanking the entrance with trees and finish the look with a few strategically placed umbrellas.
Plant a living privacy wall. Long, low planters filled with palms provide privacy on an urban patio.
Plant a wall garden. As intricate and beautiful as a work of art, a wall-mounted garden can be the focal point of a patio. Try your hand at a smaller-scale version or hire a pro to design something similar to what is shown here.
Use high planters to create privacy. Lush greenery, tall grasses and trailing flowers create a natural privacy screen on this patio. Try placing large window box–style planters atop a low wall to achieve a similar effect.
Wood can be used in the garden as an accent too, not just for the main attraction of a deck or pergola. Ipe and redwood are popular woods for making refined details. Using wood as a special finishing touch on a metal railing or bench is also a way to keep the wood from coming into contact with the ground. ***Bench!
Smooth wood is a fantastic surface for bare feet, which is why it’s so popular as pool decking and for areas near outdoor showers. An experienced builder or carpenter will be well versed in constructing wood elements that do not collect water. ***I like the idea of a 'permanent' bench in the pool area. Perhaps cement with a 'soft' wood seat rather than cushions that will get moldy over time.
In this Woodside, California, garden by Bluewagon Landscape & Design, a shade pergola covers a pair of outdoor sofas and a fire feature, inviting one to pause and enjoy the view over the pool. The white fabric of the shade pergola billows like a cloud caught by the structure. Deep, low-backed sofas help emphasize the height of the outdoor ceiling and offer the promise of living room-quality comforts outside.
In this Woodside, California, garden by Bluewagon Landscape & Design, a shade pergola covers a pair of outdoor sofas and a fire feature, inviting one to pause and enjoy the view over the pool. The white fabric of the shade pergola billows like a cloud caught by the structure. Deep, low-backed sofas help emphasize the height of the outdoor ceiling and offer the promise of living room-quality comforts outside.
Shade sails maintain an breezy, open feel for this outdoor lounge. Outdoor sofas made of weather-resistant resin wicker with off-white cushions pair well with the color and material of the shade sails. Finishing touches include the twinkle of criss-crossing cafe lights and a tile-printed outdoor rug, which pulls in the blue from the pool.
A shade structure made of wood boards mounted to a steel frame creates a pleasant cocoon-like feeling for this outdoor living room in Southern California. The design by Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects makes a graphic statement in the side yard.
The plunge pool in this Chicago backyard designed by dSpace Studio measures 5 feet wide by 14 feet long by 4 feet deep and is heated year-round. A row of UV- and water-resistant plastic globe lights running along the back wall illuminates the terrace at night.
Proving that shade structures don’t have to cost a fortune to look good and serve their purpose, Adam Bresnick Architects used inexpensive camo netting to cast dappled light over a colorful seating area in Madrid. The lightweight material would move in the breeze, changing the shadow patterns below and creating the feeling of being beneath the branches of a shade tree. A brightly striped outdoor rug and stylish Acapulco chairs make the seating area even more enticing.
another view of pool, outdoor kitchen, outdoor dining, area
sunken seating just add cushions. possible fire pit in center? pool to the side. this allows for an unobstructed view from living room......
Another decked 'pit' area. would this be an option with a fire pit in the center to keep a clean view to the water? also save on outdoor furniture.... just add cushions!
like the wood decking.... unobstructed view to water
Wouldn't work with the pool cage.... BUT I like the idea of a trellis area in the back for privacy
If You Crave a Private Nook Where You Can Awaken Slowly Room for one. Look for a small corner of your home, one with just enough space for one perfect chair — that way you are sure to be left to your own devices. If you live in a warm climate, a spot on a covered porch or patio can be a wonderful choice, allowing you to get a bit of fresh air as you sip your coffee or tea.
Nothing invigorates like being outdoors, so if getting charged up for your day is the goal, consider setting up a morning zone in your backyard. A few comfortable chairs and a place to set your mug are all you really need, but be sure to also have a cozy throw on hand to warm your shoulders on chilly mornings.
Sun shelf with spa between shelf & pool
another view of same pool
Sun Shelf at end of wide 'lap' pool & spa at side
Sun Shelf at end of lap pool & spa to the side
Large patio pots on 'stone' squares with astroturf in-between?
Outdoor Shower A great budget option is a freestanding outdoor shower like the one shown here — just hook it up to a hose and go.
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