Tampa Builders Alvarez Homes - (813) 969-3033. Vibrant colors, a variety of textures and covered porches add charm and character to this stunning beachfront home in Florida. Photography by Jorge Alvarez

Pool and Spa Designed and Built by Rosebrook Pools: 847-362-0400 Reflective rectangular pool with onyx plaster and high gloss black tile. Spa tiled in high gloss black tile, has four side perimeter overflow.

Rosanno Russo Photography

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.

Swan Pools | A Private Beach The 2004 NSPI Silver Design Award winner, this Laguna Niguel home was blessed with a generous, open space protected by a steep hillside. Broad, sweeping walkways and stone risers subtly break the islands housing the spa, sun deck and fire pit. A gently sloping beach entry and understated waterfalls suggest a tropical lagoon. The pool area is accented with several varieties of stone, natural brushed concrete and blue Pebblecoat, and finished with Swan landscaping.

This was a complete front and back transformation. We took the dirt from the back yard and used it to level the front yard and made both more useable. The main feature was a large gunite swimming pool, with built in diving board. We also built in the client's trampoline as well and left room for their play set and play house. It was a kids paradise! The kool deck was nice and cool in the summer and allowed for barefoot basketball games. We designed and installed a large Cedar screened in porch with fireplace and grill. Just off the porch was a hot tub. We completed it with lush landscaping, irrigation and lighting. Mark Schisler, Legacy Landscapes, Inc.

This was a complete front and back transformation. We took the dirt from the back yard and used it to level the front yard and made both more useable. The main feature was a large gunite swimming pool, with built in diving board. We also built in the client's trampoline as well and left room for their play set and play house. It was a kids paradise! The kool deck was nice and cool in the summer and allowed for barefoot basketball games. We designed and installed a large Cedar screened in porch with fireplace and grill. Just off the porch was a hot tub. We completed it with lush landscaping, irrigation and lighting. Mark Schisler, Legacy Landscapes, Inc.

A natural pool setting creates a oasis in the midst of a busy neighborhood.

An in-ground spa features therapy jets and an automatic cover, which may be retracted incrementally to allow the water weir to function decoratively. Stone piers support painted wooden pergola supports, unifying stone and carpentry.

Request Free Quote Inground swimming pool and spa built by Platinum Pools 847.537.2525 Platinum Pools is a Chicago area swimming pool and spa builder. Photo by Outvision Photography Platinum Pools designs and builds inground pools and spas for clients in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

The clean and simple lines on this design were a far reach from the overgrown and confusing layout of the previous owners. The existing pool was removed and a saltwater pool and spa were installed. The pavers and pool coping were custom colored concrete made off of a Travertine mold. The cable rail system allowed unobstructed visibility throughout the backyard connecting upper and lower levels together. Jason Wallace Photography

On the mountainous backdrop of this swimming pool, the custom waterfall design and grotto provides a peaceful retreat. The artificial rock formation accurately mimics one of nature’s unique wonders by providing a natural escape behind the privacy of a large waterfall. The concrete matches natural stone formations with meticulous placement, specific coloring, and purposeful cracks and crevices. Conveniently, the Saddle River NJ homeowners can swim into the grotto from the pool, or they can enter and exit through a rugged gap in the stone, leading directly to the cabana.

A pool and garden developed on a narrow deep lot. Photogaphy: Philip Spears.

This elegant expression of a modern Colorado style home combines a rustic regional exterior with a refined contemporary interior. The client's private art collection is embraced by a combination of modern steel trusses, stonework and traditional timber beams. Generous expanses of glass allow for view corridors of the mountains to the west, open space wetlands towards the south and the adjacent horse pasture on the east. Builder: Cadre General Contractors http://www.cadregc.com Photograph: Ron Ruscio Photography http://ronrusciophotography.com/

Natural Pool. Photo Credit:Halkin Photography LLC

Request Free Quote Pool design in a small space by Glenview, Illinois, Schmechtig Landscapes. An outdoor kitchen and dinning area with pergola completes the outdoor entertainment area.

Conte & Conte, LLC landscape architects and designers work with clients located in Connecticut & New York (Greenwich, Belle Haven, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Fairfield, Southport, Rowayton, Manhattan, Larchmont, Bedford Hills, Armonk, Massachusetts) Curved pergola with a relaxing pool, thanks to Fairfield House & Garden Co. for building this!

Banockburn free form pool with multiple spillway stone water. Large Tanning Ledge. Spa with overflow. Swim up Tiki Bar. Pool and spa by Rosebrook Pools. 847-362-0400 Project partnered with Demari Homes.