The Berry family of Houston, Texas hired us to do swimming pool renovation in their backyard. The pool was badly in need of repair. Its surface, plaster, tile, and coping all needed reworking. The Berry’s had finally decided it was time to do something about this, so they contacted us to inquire about swimming pool restoration. We told them that we could certainly repair the damaged elements. After we took a closer look at the pool, however, we realized that more was required here than a cosmetic solution to wear and tear. Because of some serious design flaws, the aesthetic of the pool worked against surrounding landscape design. The rear portion of the pool was framed by architectural wall, and the water was surrounded by a brick and bluestone patio. The problem lay in the fact that the wall was too tall. It created a sense of separation from the remainder of the yard, and it obscured the view of a beautiful arbor that had been built beneath the trees behind the pool. It also hosted a contemporary-style, sheer-descent waterfall fountain that looked too modern for a traditional lawn and garden design. Restoring this wall to its proper relationship with the landscape would turn out to be one of the key elements to our swimming pool renovations work. We began by lowering the wall the wall so you could see the arbor and trees in the backyard more clearly. We also did away with the sheer-descent waterfall that clashed with surrounding backyard landscape design. We decided that a more traditional fountain would be more appropriate to the setting, and more aesthetically apropos if it complimented the brick and bluestone patio. To create this façade, we had to reconstruct the wall with bluestone columns rising up through the brick. These columns matched the bluestone in the patio, and added a stately form to the otherwise plain brick wall. Each column rose slightly higher than the top of the wall and was capped at the top. Thermal-finish weirs crafted in a flame detail jutted from under the capstones and poured water into the pool below. To draw greater emphasis to the pool itself as a body of water, we continued our swimming pool renovation with an expansion of the brick coping. This drew greater emphasis to the body of water within its form, and helps focus awareness on the tranquility created by the fountain. We also removed the outdated diving board and replaced it with a diving rock. This was safer and more attractive than the board. We also extended the entire pool and patio another 15 feet toward the right. This made the entire area a more relaxed and sweeping expanse of hardscape. While doing so, we expanded the brick coping around the pool from 8 inches to 12 inches. Because the spa had a rather unique shape, we decided to replace the coping here with custom brink interlace style that would fit its irregular design. Now that the swimming pool renovation itself was complete, we sought to extend the new sense of expansiveness into the rest of the yard. To accomplish this, we built a walkway out of bluestone stepping pads that ran across the surface of the water to the arbor on the other side of the fountain wall. This unique pathway created invitation to the world of the trees beyond the water’s edge, and counterbalanced the focal point of the pool area with the arbor as a secondary point of interest. We built a terrace and a dining area here so people could remain here in comfort for as long as they liked without having to run back to the patio or dash inside the kitchen for food and drinks.

Modern swimming pool and spa design. Contemporary landscape and pool lighting surround this unique pool. Luxury swimming pool landscaping ideas by Cipriano- 2013 “Top 50 Pool Builder” with 14 International Design Awards. Bergen County-Northern NJ

Bluestone terrace patios off the main living areas can be accessed from the interior through a collection of French doors.The cooling lawn beckons guests to stroll down stone steps to the gracefully curving pool and exuberant planting. This Piedmont residence received the 2009 Design Award as the Best Remodel and Landscape. Landscape Architect: David Thorne Landscape Architect Architect: Bill Holland Landscape Contractor: Cleary Brothers Photography: Treve Johnson

Tre Dunham

Japanese soaking tub set half in the ground with a cedar entry deck, also used as a waterfeature with water pump and trough.

Howard Roberts

The NJ Landscape Architecture Office at Cipriano Landscape Design worked extensively with the tile manufacturers to come up with this 4-way gradient tile blend. This 4-way gradient blend is a unique feature for glass tile inground pools.

A selection of luxury pool projects built by Ohlenburg Inc. - Fine Swimming Pool Construction. - Dallas, Texas

In this remarkable architecturally designed home, the owners were craving a drastic change from the neutral decor they had been living with for 15 years. The goal was to infuse a lot of intense color while incorporating, and eloquently displaying, a fabulous art collection acquired on their many travels. Photography by Lisa M. Bond.

South Tampa Pool Home, modern, bohemian, beautiful and functional space.

The somewhat modest size of this beautiful back garden does not keep it from fulfilling numerous duties for this active family. Closest to the house itself are a screened sitting porch and a large outdoor dining area. One passes through antique wrought-iron gates to transition from the upper patios to the lawn area, separating the house from the pool. Slabs of Pennsylvania flagstone create a walkway through the lawn and around the swimming pool. Synthetic turf was selected for this project, in order to minimize maintenance issues and to ensure perfect grass at all times. The covered, open-air pavilion directly adjacent the pool is constructed with hand-carved posts and beams. The concrete floor of the pavilion is stained to coordinate with the Pennsylvania flagstone decks. Housing the outdoor kitchen and bar area, as well as a TV sitting area, this poolside pavilion has become the favorite hang-out for the client's teenagers and their friends. Although our client wanted a curved line, natural pool, they wanted a bit of a modernized version, and something a bit more refined. One way we achieved this was by using long, sweeping curves around the perimeter of the pool, with hand-cut, and slightly chiseled, Oklahoma flagstone coping. Next, rather than using the typical boulders for the retaining wall, we set Oklahoma stone in an irregular flagstone pattern with butt-joints so that no mortar shows. The walls are capped with the same Oklahoma flagstone as is used on the coping. The spa is tucked in the back corner of the garden, and raised 20" above the pool. The spillway from the spa is created using a combination of long slab boulders along with smaller boulders, to create a gentle, natural waterfall to the pool. Further refinement is shown in neatly trimmed appearance of the synthetic turf between the large slabs of Pennsylvania stone that create the pool deck.

Large outdoor metal pergola designs by Entanglements laser cut metal art. Curved decking area by the pool

Get ready for summer with an updated backyard. With the use of new tile and vibrant plants we can transform any backyard to a beautiful summer escape! Check out the before pictures to experience the full transformation. Photo credit: Paperwhite

This Blue Mermaid, ‘Sirena Azul’, pool is located in Houston, Texas. The mermaid was customized to fit the owners ‘voluptuous’ intentions. She measures 11" x 11'11". Glass mosaic size is 10mm. She was installed by one of the most reputable pool companies in Houston, Pool Works. Installation was speedy due to the use of epoxy setting materials and grout. Pool Works is a family owned company. They were truly a joy to work with. Thanks guys! For further information please see www.poolworkstx.com They are located at 5250 Brittmoore Road, Houston, Texas.

Randy Angell, Designer This backyard was separated into different areas for entertaining or relaxing. The outdoor living room area is complete with an eating area, fireplace and fully equipped kitchen. The kitchen island alone features a sink with storage underneath, a two-drawer beverage refrigerator and a pullout trash bin. Granite countertops on the island couple as a bar seating area. The cooking area houses a stainless steel grill, a warming drawer, a storage drawer, a side-burner unit and a 24' under-counter refrigerator. A custom-made Mexican lantern chandelier sets a festive mood for the space.