Yard of the Week: Chic Desert Oasis Elevates Outdoor Living
A standout shade structure, fire feature and pool anchor this luxe backyard designed for lounging and entertaining
This modern resort-like backyard came from the homeowners’ desire to have an outdoor space that better suited their lifestyle and complemented their home’s aesthetic. The owners (a couple with grown children out of the house) tore down and rebuilt this home in Litchfield Park, Arizona, soon after buying it, and they set to work on creating their dream space, which included a new backyard for lounging and entertaining. Now they have ample outdoor gathering areas — and a new pool for cooling off on those hot desert days.
A central lounge anchors the new backyard, drawing the homeowners outside. The living room overlooks that portion of the yard through double sliding glass doors. “That middle fire pit area was always intended to be the focal point,” Schaffner says. “They wanted something eye-catching.”
Two sectional sofas frame a custom fire feature. The oversize fire pit features an offset poured-in-place concrete top, enabling the homeowners to rest drinks and plates on the fire feature while the flames are on.
The two-tone raised granite patio defines the lounge area. The homeowners selected the two types of flamed granite pavers on their own, which the design team incorporated and highlighted. “They wanted something that was different than concrete but added something extra to their backyard,” Schaffner says.
Two sectional sofas frame a custom fire feature. The oversize fire pit features an offset poured-in-place concrete top, enabling the homeowners to rest drinks and plates on the fire feature while the flames are on.
The two-tone raised granite patio defines the lounge area. The homeowners selected the two types of flamed granite pavers on their own, which the design team incorporated and highlighted. “They wanted something that was different than concrete but added something extra to their backyard,” Schaffner says.
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A covered dining area pulls the homeowners to another corner of the yard. Designed and built by 360 Construction, the black-stained wood structure frames the eating and cooking space and provides shelter from the intense desert sun.
An outdoor kitchen lines one of the pergola’s edges, as requested by the homeowner. “It wasn’t until later [in the design process] that we did the bar top seating on the other side,” Schaffner says. By floating the bar, they were able to add more seating and counter space without creating visual clutter or cutting into the floor area. Granite tops both counters. “We wanted something that looked different and could stand the heat,” Schaffner says.
A strip of granite pavers and turf in a diamond pattern in front of the pergola opens up the space. Generous steps connect it to the rest of the yard.
What to Know About Adding a Pergola
An outdoor kitchen lines one of the pergola’s edges, as requested by the homeowner. “It wasn’t until later [in the design process] that we did the bar top seating on the other side,” Schaffner says. By floating the bar, they were able to add more seating and counter space without creating visual clutter or cutting into the floor area. Granite tops both counters. “We wanted something that looked different and could stand the heat,” Schaffner says.
A strip of granite pavers and turf in a diamond pattern in front of the pergola opens up the space. Generous steps connect it to the rest of the yard.
What to Know About Adding a Pergola
The dining area features a mix of seating options around a teak dining table. They chose low chairs for the table’s long edge so they wouldn’t obscure the fireplace behind. Two black wicker chairs frame the end of the table. “We wanted it to be comfortable and look homey,” Schaffner says.
Schaffner used wood furniture exclusively in this project. “In the heat of Arizona, metal furniture doesn’t make sense,” she says. The wood stays cooler, with light-colored outdoor fabric softening the space and fading less noticeably in the intense sun.
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Schaffner used wood furniture exclusively in this project. “In the heat of Arizona, metal furniture doesn’t make sense,” she says. The wood stays cooler, with light-colored outdoor fabric softening the space and fading less noticeably in the intense sun.
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The black-and-white tiled fireplace nods to the home’s Spanish influence without overpowering the design. “Incorporating high-fired tile inside was the perfect balance that attracted the eye but didn’t detract from the overall structure,” Schaffner says.
Clay tile: ARTO
Clay tile: ARTO
Outdoor-rated woven pendants hang over the dining table. “We wanted to make an impact with the light fixtures,” Schaffner says. Inspired by an Eric Olsen design that featured similar hanging light fixtures, the designer had these custom-made for this project. “We wanted to do something that was more like an art piece and added to the wow factor of the pergola,” she says.
A new pool sits on the other side of the outdoor lounge, with the same granite pavers used throughout the design serving as the pool’s coping.
The pool’s clean lines and negative edge contribute to the yard’s light, open feel. “The pool kind of fades into the background,” Schaffner says. “Your eye doesn’t see a big rock projecting or a water feature coming out of the pool.”
Pool design and construction: Presidential Pools, Spas & Patio
The pool’s clean lines and negative edge contribute to the yard’s light, open feel. “The pool kind of fades into the background,” Schaffner says. “Your eye doesn’t see a big rock projecting or a water feature coming out of the pool.”
Pool design and construction: Presidential Pools, Spas & Patio
One of the challenges Schaffner faced with this project was creating multiple outdoor areas in the wide, shallow and flat backyard that didn’t feel cluttered or like one giant paved area. She mixed up the heights of the gathering areas and kept the design clean, linear and balanced.
Schaffner broke up the paving with patches of artificial turf. “I didn’t want people to look outside and just see pavers,” she says. “In Arizona, if all you have are pavers, it just looks hot. You don’t want to go out there.” The turf can fit in the narrow joints between the granite pavers, a scenario where grass often suffers, and it won’t get in the pool the way mowed grass does.
Schaffner broke up the paving with patches of artificial turf. “I didn’t want people to look outside and just see pavers,” she says. “In Arizona, if all you have are pavers, it just looks hot. You don’t want to go out there.” The turf can fit in the narrow joints between the granite pavers, a scenario where grass often suffers, and it won’t get in the pool the way mowed grass does.
This view is from a hallway connecting two portions of the house (seen from the opposite direction in the previous photo). The window on the right is from the master suite, with a nice view out the window to the wall-mounted planters and planted channel.
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Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nester couple lives here full time
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Size: 6,500-square-foot (604-square-meter) backyard
Designer: K Design
Contractors: Sunburst Landscaping (landscape) and 360 Construction (general contracting)
The homeowners wanted a space that felt modern and suited the desert environment. “They wanted it to be more fitting with the style of the home,” says Kameran Schaffner, owner and principal designer of K Design. Browsing Houzz photos for inspiration, the team devised a clean and inviting scheme that would be suitable for Arizona’s extreme sun. “They wanted to make the space more functional and utilize every piece of that backyard,” Schaffner says.
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