Erin Dougherty

This pool and spa is built in an affluent neighborhood with many new homes that are traditional in design but have modern, clean details. Similar to the homes, this pool takes a traditional pool and gives it a clean, modern twist. The site proved to be perfect for a long lap pool that the client desired with plenty of room for a separate spa. The two bodies of water, though separate, are visually linked together by a custom limestone raised water feature wall with 10 custom Bobe water scuppers. Quality workmanship as required throughout the entire build to ensure the automatic pool cover would remain square the entire 50 foot length of the pool. Features of this pool and environment that enhance the aesthetic appeal of this project include: -Glass waterline tile -Glass seat and bench tile -Glass tile swim lane marking on pool floor -Custom limestone coping and deck -PebbleTec pool finish -Synthetic Turf Lawn This outdoor environment cohesively brings the clean & modern finishes of the home seamlessly to the outdoors to a pool and spa for play, exercise and relaxation. Photography: Daniel Driensky

The gabled cabana features an outdoor living space, fire table and water feature combination, enclosed bathroom, and a decorative cedar tongue-and-groove wall that houses a television. The pergolas on each side provide additional entertaining space. The custom swimming pool includes twin tanning ledges and a stacked stone raised spa with waterfall.

The client purchased this property with grand plans of renovating the entire place; from top to bottom, and from inside to outside. And while the inside canvas was very generous and even somewhat forgiving, the outside space would be anything but. We wanted to squeeze in as much seating space as possible in their limited courtyard area, without encroaching on the already compact-sized pool. The first and most obvious solution was to get rid of the trees and shrubs that separated this house from its zero-lot-line neighbor. With the addition of Lueder limestone pavers, this new area alone would free up nearly 120 additional square feet, which happened to be the perfect amount of space for a mobile gas fire pit and sectional sofa. And this would make for the perfect place to enjoy the afternoon sunset with the implementation of a custom-built metal pergola standing above it all. The next problem to overcome was the disconnected feel of the existing patio; there were too many levels of steps and stairs, which meant that it would have been difficult to have any sort of traditional furniture arrangement in their outdoor space. Randy knew that it only made sense to bring in a wood deck that could be mated to the highest level of the patio, thus creating and gaining the greatest amount of continuous, flat space that the client needed. But even so, that flat space would be limited to a very tight "L-shape" around the pool. And knowing this, the client decided that the larger space would be more valuable to them than the spa, so they opted to have a portion of the deck built over it in order to allow for a more generous amount of patio space. And with the edge of the patio/deck dropping off almost 2 feet to the waterline, it now created the perfect opportunity to have a visually compelling raised wall that could be adorned with different hues of plank-shaped tiles. From inside the pool, the varying shades of brown were a great accent to the wood deck that sat just above. However, the true visual crowning jewel of this project would end up being the raised back wall along the fence, fully encased in a large format, 24x24 slate grey tile, complete with a custom stainless steel, square-tube scupper bank, installed at just the right height to create the perfect amount of water noise. But Randy wasn't done just yet. With two entirely new entertaining areas opened up at opposite ends of the pool, the only thing left to do now was to connect them. Knowing that he nor the client wanted to eliminate any more water space, he decided to bring a new traffic pattern right into the pool by way of two "floating", Lueder limestone stepper pads. It would be a visually perfect union of both pool and walking spaces. The existing steps and walkways were then cut away and replaced with matching Lueder limestone caps and steppers. All remaining hardscape gaps were later filled with Mexican beach pebble, which helped to promote a very "zen-like" feel in this outdoor space. The interior of the pool was coated with Wet Edge Primerastone "Blue Pacific Coast" plaster, and then lit up with the incredibly versatile Pentair GloBrite LED pool lights. In the end, the client ended up gaining the additional entertaining and seating space that they needed, and the updated, modern feel that they loved.

Sacramento River waterfront property. Freestanding pool wall with stone veneer. Dedicated planting spaces and area lighting. LED lit bubbling water features at the "Sun shelf" area in the pool.

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

This design was based on an outdoor living room. The client wanted to invert the living spaces of the home to the outdoors by creating not just one but several outdoor rooms. The plantings were Mediterranean-inspired, with topiary pines, shaped box hedge, olives, succulents and bougainvillea.

Casa Ron nació como un proyecto de vivienda unifamiliar que precisaba una simple reforma de re-styling . Pero, una vez empezado el programa de reformas, acabó convirtiéndose en un proyecto integral de interiorismo y decoración, tanto exterior como interior. Esta vivienda unifamiliar, ubicada en pleno centro de la ciudad de Barcelona, adquiere un diseño de interiores totalmente acomodado y acondicionado a los nuevos tiempos. Asimismo, se convierte en uno de los proyectos de arquitectura más osados para Molins Design, tanto por el interiorismo adoptado, así como por la decoración escogida.

Greg Saunders

Freeform pool with sheer descents and a raised spa with spillways.

Photographed by David De Gendt

Robert Shaw photographer

Kaihani wanted to create a space that reminded her of Hawaii. A vacation getaway in her own backyard. We revamped the pool, adding a flowing water feature and glowing stones. We resurfaced the deck with hardy Ipe wood and travertine. And we created a cozy seating area next to an elegant fire pit. To get to Hawaii, Kaihani only has to step out her back door. It's breath taking...it's like being back home in Hawaii. Melissa Wright

Shane LeBlanc