Pool

Perfect minimalist pool for a small outdoor retreat. Photo: Kathleen Mahon

Hot Tub Installation (Massapequa/NY): One reason Best Hot Tubs specializes in Bullfrog Spas is their virtual leak-proof design. This permitted customized concrete block retaining walls to be added on three sides before adding soil, boulders, and plants. The back side, however, was left open for access to pumps and equipment.

Richard Bloom

Outdoor water hole, the gathering place, captured natural water shed from Peak 10 in Breckenridge, Colorado, overflows into the Blue River. A.T. Sipes

On this project, we were hired to build this home and outdoor space on the beautiful piece of property the home owners had previously purchased. To do this, we transformed the rugged lake view property into the Safety Harbor Oasis it is now. A few interesting components of this is having covered and uncovered outdoor lounging areas and a pool for further relaxation. Now our clients have a home, outdoor living spaces, and outdoor kitchen which fits their lifestyle perfectly and are proud to show off when hosting. Photographer: Johan Roetz

Partially recessed stainless steel spa with tile trim in this compact, San Fransisco backyard. Landscape design by Katharine Webster.

This large corner lot in Oakville had its large side yard transformed into an entertaining playground. A classic 20 x 34 custom concrete pool is surrounded by three separate lounge areas, one by the house, one poolside and another in the cabana.

Lake Forest Mosaic House designed by prominent American architect Henry Ives Cobb, in 1882. Grounds designed and constructed by Arrow Land+Structures, in 2016.

My client for this project was a builder/ developer. He had purchased a flat two acre parcel with vineyards that was within easy walking distance of downtown St. Helena. He planned to “build for sale” a three bedroom home with a separate one bedroom guest house, a pool and a pool house. He wanted a modern type farmhouse design that opened up to the site and to the views of the hills beyond and to keep as much of the vineyards as possible. The house was designed with a central Great Room consisting of a kitchen area, a dining area, and a living area all under one roof with a central linear cupola to bring natural light into the middle of the room. One approaches the entrance to the home through a small garden with water features on both sides of a path that leads to a covered entry porch and the front door. The entry hall runs the length of the Great Room and serves as both a link to the bedroom wings, the garage, the laundry room and a small study. The entry hall also serves as an art gallery for the future owner. An interstitial space between the entry hall and the Great Room contains a pantry, a wine room, an entry closet, an electrical room and a powder room. A large deep porch on the pool/garden side of the house extends most of the length of the Great Room with a small breakfast Room at one end that opens both to the kitchen and to this porch. The Great Room and porch open up to a swimming pool that is on on axis with the front door. The main house has two wings. One wing contains the master bedroom suite with a walk in closet and a bathroom with soaking tub in a bay window and separate toilet room and shower. The other wing at the opposite end of the househas two children’s bedrooms each with their own bathroom a small play room serving both bedrooms. A rear hallway serves the children’s wing, a Laundry Room and a Study, the garage and a stair to an Au Pair unit above the garage. A separate small one bedroom guest house has a small living room, a kitchen, a toilet room to serve the pool and a small covered porch. The bedroom is ensuite with a full bath. This guest house faces the side of the pool and serves to provide privacy and block views ofthe neighbors to the east. A Pool house at the far end of the pool on the main axis of the house has a covered sitting area with a pizza oven, a bar area and a small bathroom. Vineyards were saved on all sides of the house to help provide a private enclave within the vines. The exterior of the house has simple gable roofs over the major rooms of the house with sloping ceilings and large wooden trusses in the Great Room and plaster sloping ceilings in the bedrooms. The exterior siding through out is painted board and batten siding similar to farmhouses of other older homes in the area. Clyde Construction: General Contractor Photographed by: Paul Rollins

Automatic Pool Cover hidden under the pool coping. Due to the severe grade of the yard a 24" retaining wall was installed on the top and an 18" reverse bond beam installed on the lower side, both stone faced. Grenadine gray quartz plaster with antique beige travertine coping and matching travertine patio.

This photo was taken by the homeowner about a year after the pool was installed. They did the plantings themselves. The combination of the whimsical gardens with the beautiful pool and stonework is a truly charming look.