Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in Toronto with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

This lap pool maximizes the space in a Bethesda backyard with fieldstone retaining walls that offer privacy and structure. Three sheer descent waterfalls add sound and movement to the swimming pool.

Large contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in New York with a water slide and natural stone pavers.

Inspiration for a large traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in DC Metro with natural stone pavers and a pool house.

Landscape and planting by Michael Tebbs Design, Home construction by Crowder Construction, Thank you Mr. & Mrs. W. for trusting your project to the team at Crowder Construction, Michael Tebbs Design and Creative Environments... it was our pleasure to help transform your property to the beautiful entertainment area that it is today....

Bird's eye view of the fire pit seating area and the pool
This is an example of a large country backyard rectangular pool in San Francisco with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

This spa area is screened in on the lower terrace with custom ironwork, custom stone mantle, gas lanterns, and a very interesting fiber optic lighting system in the rock that is dificult to see in this photot. Ashley Maness

It started with vision. Then arrived fresh sight, seeing what was absent, seeing what was possible. Followed quickly by desire and creativity and know-how and communication and collaboration. When the Ramsowers first called Exterior Worlds, all they had in mind was an outdoor fountain. About working with the Ramsowers, Jeff Halper, owner of Exterior Worlds says, “The Ramsowers had great vision. While they didn’t know exactly what they wanted, they did push us to create something special for them. I get inspired by my clients who are engaged and focused on design like they were. When you get that kind of inspiration and dialogue, you end up with a project like this one.” For Exterior Worlds, our design process addressed two main features of the original space—the blank surface of the yard surrounded by looming architecture and plain fencing. With the yard, we dug out the center of it to create a one-foot drop in elevation in which to build a sunken pool. At one end, we installed a spa, lining it with a contrasting darker blue glass tile. Pedestals topped with urns anchor the pool and provide a place for spot color. Jets of water emerge from these pedestals. This moving water becomes a shield to block out urban noises and makes the scene lively. (And the children think it’s great fun to play in them.) On the side of the pool, another fountain, an illuminated basin built of limestone, brick and stainless steel, feeds the pool through three slots. The pool is counterbalanced by a large plot of grass. What is inventive about this grassy area is its sub-structure. Before putting down the grass, we installed a French drain using grid pavers that pulls water away, an action that keeps the soil from compacting and the grass from suffocating. The entire sunken area is finished off with a border of ground cover that transitions the eye to the limestone walkway and the retaining wall, where we used the same reclaimed bricks found in architectural features of the house. In the outer border along the fence line, we planted small trees that give the space scale and also hide some unsightly utility infrastructure. Boxwood and limestone gravel were embroidered into a parterre design to underscore the formal shape of the pool. Additionally, we planted a rose garden around the illuminated basin and a color garden for seasonal color at the far end of the yard across from the covered terrace. To address the issue of the house’s prominence, we added a pergola to the main wing of the house. The pergola is made of solid aluminum, chosen for its durability, and painted black. The Ramsowers had used reclaimed ornamental iron around their front yard and so we replicated its pattern in the pergola’s design. “In making this design choice and also by using the reclaimed brick in the pool area, we wanted to honor the architecture of the house,” says Halper. We continued the ornamental pattern by building an aluminum arbor and pool security fence along the covered terrace. The arbor’s supports gently curve out and away from the house. It, plus the pergola, extends the structural aspect of the house into the landscape. At the same time, it softens the hard edges of the house and unifies it with the yard. The softening effect is further enhanced by the wisteria vine that will eventually cover both the arbor and the pergola. From a practical standpoint, the pergola and arbor provide shade, especially when the vine becomes mature, a definite plus for the west-facing main house. This newly-created space is an updated vision for a traditional garden that combines classic lines with the modern sensibility of innovative materials. The family is able to sit in the house or on the covered terrace and look out over the landscaping. To enjoy its pleasing form and practical function. To appreciate its cool, soothing palette, the blues of the water flowing into the greens of the garden with a judicious use of color. And accept its invitation to step out, step down, jump in, enjoy.

Clients throughout Long Island turn to Designscapes Landscaping to design and install their dream come true swimming pools & spas. If you are looking for that one of a kind creative outdoor living design, give us a call today and our pool and spa designers will get started working with you!

The sunny pool area has plenty of space for swimming, lounging, and dining. Photo by Peter Vanderwarker Photographer http://www.vanderwarker.com/

Photo of a small traditional backyard rectangular pool in Dallas with natural stone pavers and a hot tub.

Inspiration for a large traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in Los Angeles with natural stone pavers and a water slide.

View shows La Casita in lower garden with natural swimming pool and recirculating waterfall. Roof of main house is barely visible through trees, uphill beyond gate.

Area was an existing water runoff/gully where boats would be pulled up and serviced in the 1930's. The new owner wanted the area transformed into a spa with a boulder waterfall that circulates water around the spa & into and out of the adjacent lake. Fireplace puts a finishing touch for an amazing natural retreat.

This was a complete front and back transformation. We took the dirt from the back yard and used it to level the front yard and made both more useable. The main feature was a large gunite swimming pool, with built in diving board. We also built in the client's trampoline as well and left room for their play set and play house. It was a kids paradise! The kool deck was nice and cool in the summer and allowed for barefoot basketball games. We designed and installed a large Cedar screened in porch with fireplace and grill. Just off the porch was a hot tub. We completed it with lush landscaping, irrigation and lighting. Mark Schisler, Legacy Landscapes, Inc.

Winnetka, IL residence. Outdoor spa with an auto-cover and brick privacy wall with a sconce water feature. Natural blue-stone patio with recycled clay paver accents.

Landscaping done by Annapolis Landscaping ( www.annapolislandscaping.com) Pool done by Johnson Pools Edgewater MD ( www.jpools.com)
Design ideas for a large traditional backyard round pool in DC Metro with natural stone pavers.

tuscany architecture by Friehauf associates, with all exterior landscape planning and installation by Rob Hill, Hill's landscapes - Cameron Flagstone, italian cypress, pizza oven, vanishing edge pool, olive trees

Request Free Quote Pool design in a small space by Glenview, Illinois, Schmechtig Landscapes. An outdoor kitchen and dinning area with pergola completes the outdoor entertainment area.