A couple by the name of Claire and Dan Boyles commissioned Exterior Worlds to develop their back yard along the lines of a French Country garden design. They had recently designed and built a French Colonial style house. Claire had been very involved in the architectural design, and she communicated extensively her expectations for the landscape. The aesthetic we ultimately created for them was not a traditional French country garden per se, but instead was a variation on the symmetry, color, and sense of formality associated with this design. The most notable feature that we added to the estate was a custom swimming pool installed just to the rear of the home. It emphasized linearity, complimentary right angles, and it featured a luxury spa and pool fountain. We built the coping around the pool out of limestone, and we used concrete pavers to build the custom pool patio. We then added French pottery in various locations around the patio to balance the stonework against the look and structure of the home. We added a formal garden parallel to the pool to reflect its linear movement. Like most French country gardens, this design is bordered by sheered bushes and emphasizes straight lines, angles, and symmetry. One very interesting thing about this garden is that it is consist entirely of various shades of green, which lends itself well to the sense of a French estate. The garden is bordered by a taupe colored cedar fence that compliments the color of the stonework. Just around the corner from the back entrance to the house, there lies a double-door entrance to the master bedroom. This was an ideal place to build a small patio for the Boyles to use as a private seating area in the early mornings and evenings. We deviated slightly from strict linearity and symmetry by adding pavers that ran out like steps from the patio into the grass. We then planted boxwood hedges around the patio, which are common in French country garden design and combine an Old World sensibility with a morning garden setting. We then completed this portion of the project by adding rosemary and mondo grass as ground cover to the space between the patio, the corner of the house, and the back wall that frames the yard. This design is derivative of those found in morning gardens, and it provides the Boyles with a place where they can step directly from their bedroom into a private outdoor space and enjoy the early mornings and evenings. We further develop the sense of a morning garden seating area; we deviated slightly from the strict linear forms of the rest of the landscape by adding pavers that ran like steps from the patio and out into the grass. We also planted rosemary and mondo grass as ground cover to the space between the patio, the corner of the house, and the back wall that borders this portion of the yard. We then landscaped the front of the home with a continuing symmetry reminiscent of French country garden design. We wanted to establish a sense of grand entrance to the home, so we built a stone walkway that ran all the way from the sidewalk and then fanned out parallel to the covered porch that centers on the front door and large front windows of the house. To further develop the sense of a French country estate, we planted a small parterre garden that can be seen and enjoyed from the left side of the porch. On the other side of house, we built the Boyles a circular motorcourt around a large oak tree surrounded by lush San Augustine grass. We had to employ special tree preservation techniques to build above the root zone of the tree. The motorcourt was then treated with a concrete-acid finish that compliments the brick in the home. For the parking area, we used limestone gravel chips. French country garden design is traditionally viewed as a very formal style intended to fill a significant portion of a yard or landscape. The genius of the Boyles project lay not in strict adherence to tradition, but rather in adapting its basic principles to the architecture of the home and the geometry of the surrounding landscape. For more the 20 years Exterior Worlds has specialized in servicing many of Houston's fine neighborhoods.

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Poolhouse
Large mediterranean backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Photo of an expansive contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in New York with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard l-shaped lap pool in New York with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Small space pool and spa design with turf landscape. www.IntexDandC.com @IntexDandC
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard rectangular natural pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

The roofline, reminiscent of an Asian farmhouse, is clad with yellow cedar shingles. The gable ends feature triangular windows which permit natural light to enter the loft space within. Jim Fiora Photography LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with concrete pavers.

12' x 23' - Seychelles Sand Color
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This spa features an infinity edge, black porcelain tile, and view. Other surrounding features consist of raised hardwood decks, cantilevered umbrella, BBQ island, fire pit, covered patio, and drought tolerant landscaping.

Request Free Quote This compact pool in Hinsdale, IL measures 10’0” x 20’0” with a depth of 3’6” to 5’0”. The pool features a “U” shaped bench with jets attached. There is also a 6’0” underwater bench. The pool features LED color changing lighting. There is an automatic hydraulic pool cover with a custom stone walk-on lid system. The pool coping is Ledgestone. The pool finish is Ceramaquartz. Photography by e3.

A Mid Century modern home built by a student of Eichler. This Eichler inspired home was completely renovated and restored to meet current structural, electrical, and energy efficiency codes as it was in serious disrepair when purchased as well as numerous and various design elements that were inconsistent with the original architectural intent. The Pool and backyard was redesigned to accommodate for wheelchair accessibility.

This Cape Cod-style home needed a modern accent in the backyard. We created a new space using lines from the existing deck. The pool shape is accented by a black paver border, surrounded by large concrete paver slabs. ​

Infinity pool and spa with multi dimensional decking and firepit
Photo of a mid-sized country backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Dallas with with a pool and concrete pavers.

Cream loungers and dark stone side tables line the edge of the pool with black and white subway tile accents.
Design ideas for a small backyard custom-shaped pool in Sacramento with concrete pavers and with a pool.

Small modern backyard rectangular infinity pool in Toronto with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Design ideas for a large modern backyard rectangular infinity pool in Sacramento with concrete pavers.

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Custom A frame pool house with a french door, large window, and square posts!
Photo of a mid-sized transitional backyard custom-shaped pool in Boston with a pool house and concrete pavers.