Photo: Ann K. McCallum
Design ideas for a contemporary pool in Boston with decking.

This young suburban family transformed their sloping yard into an entertainment complex. First step was to create two levels; an upper one with lounge chairs, BBQ and outdoor dining area; and a lower one with chaise lounges and a large covered outdoor living room highlighted by a stone feature wall with fireplace and TV. (14 x 28, rectangular)

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular pool in Surrey with tile.

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.

The dream for this family was somehow fitting a custom pool, spa, fireplace, larger patio areas, an outdoor kitchen, a large serving bar, formal gardens, and also some grass for the kids to play on all in a very small back yard! It was a challenge but all was accomplished with beautiful results. In fact, this project is featured in the 2009 Fall issue of Luxury Pools Magazine

Lap pool, spa, water feature and outdoor kitchen all tucked in to a small space!
Design ideas for a traditional rectangular pool in Sacramento.

This young Toronto family wanted to maximize use of a very small severely sloping yard, so they created a series of decks on multiple levels. Custom cedar fencing along the sides provides privacy, while the protective wall of tempered glass along the front allows a full view of the "plunge" pool. The modern look is extended with a deck of acid-etched architectural concrete and an elevated 8' wide sheer descent waterfall adds a final touch of drama. The pool equipment at the back will be out of view in the cabana when it is built. (12 x 27, rectangular)

Photo of a small modern backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with concrete pavers.

Photo of a small modern backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with concrete pavers.

A tall cedar fence offers privacy for this small Toronto yard which backs onto the boardwalk and beach of Lake Ontario. The unique elevated zero edge pool has a 2' x 23' tempered glass spill wall, with the flow collecting in a large underground reservoir. Wiarton ledgerock, coping and flagstone lend a bold solidity to the design, while a strip of river rock links the pool area to the small putting green and lawn. An 11' wide sheer descent waterfall on the end wall adds a final dramatic touch. (12 x 23, custom rectangular)

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.

This suburban Toronto family had a small backyard which they outfitted for recreation and entertaining. The focal point is a symmetrical cloverleaf plunge pool which has a uniform depth of six feet. There are entry steps with underwater benches on each side with a spillover spa at one end and a Badu swimjet at the other. (16 x 16 custom rectangular)

A little 'oasis' was created in this compact urban yard as a 'mini pool' for a family with young children. The plunge-pool/spa with black slate interior and integrated rock feature, has a waterfall surrounded by the lush plantings. The deck is natural square-cut flagstone set on a concrete base. A natural cedar hedge and custom cedar side screens provide privacy. With equipment in the garage, insulated plumbing lines and a custom cover allow for year round use. (8 x 13, kidney shape)

There's no lawn to worry about here, this is the full backyard. The home's patio doors open onto a cedar deck that extends over the edge of the pool lending the feeling of a "dock," complete with round posts. The pool's dark liner gives a natural pond look, while a limestone rock feature with water flowing from several points adds the drama of a waterfall. The entry stairs are bordered by Wiarton flagstone coping and a small deck in architectural stamped concrete. Privacy fencing punctuated by pocket gardens of greenery complete this tranquil poolscape. (16 x 27, custom free form)

How does a landscaping contractor finish his own small urban yard? With a small pool and subtle design elements that borrow from the timeless elegance of simplicity. The lot is slightly pie-shaped, so the deck on one side has been cut short with a planting bed that helps to soften the converging lines. Also, the square-cut Wiarton Ebel pebble-top stones have been placed diagonally in the dry-laid deck to create visual balance. The pool's entry steps are placed appropriately at a 45-degree angle and the lounge furniture is aligned with the flagstones of the deck. Simple lines never looked so good. (14 x 28, rectangular)

Perfect for exercise or entertaining, this compact plunge pool tucks neatly behind the house in this urban Toronto yard. Underwater benches flanking the walk-in steps invite lounging, while a sheer descent waterfall adds drama to the raised ledgerock feature wall. Directly below is a powerful Badu Jet for lap swimming. The owners also use it for paddle practice in a kayak. The natural pond-look of the dark grey Armourcoat interior offers a pleasing contrast to the Wiarton flagstone coping and deck. (9 x 18, rectangular)

Extending the architectural elegance of the house was the primary objective for this suburban Toronto pool. Special care was taken to retain existing mature trees and a small retaining wall was built to help level the sloping yard. The pool's formal lines are established with the 11' radius Roman steps centred across from a stone feature wall with three bronze fleur-de-lys spitter sconces. A dark vinyl liner surrounded by natural flagstone coping and deck completes the look. (13 x 30, rectangular)

This tiny suburban Toronto yard contained a small flagstone patio and a small patch of lawn. The children were now in their teens, so the lawn was no longer needed as a play area and was the perfect size for a "plunge" pool. The patio was slightly enlarged and re-configured to integrate with a small pool featuring matching natural stone coping and a limestone water feature. The remaining perimeter was filled with a colourful mix of plantings and shrubs. It's a small area, but it was put to good use. (12 x 27, humpback kidney)

An urban ravine lot perfectly accommodates this exquisite aquatic retreat. A multi-level look is achieved with the slightly raised pool, elevated spillover spa and semi-circular stone wall with waterfall. The small grotto underneath is a haven for privacy while the underwater benches invite lounging. The Wiarton flagstone walls and deck add a natural touch. A special sound-proofed equipment shed was constructed in deference to the neighbours, it allows for year round use of the spa. (9 x 18, custom shape)