Outdoor living at it's finest.

Exterior Worlds was contracted by the Bretches family of West Memorial to assist in a renovation project that was already underway. The family had decided to add on to their house and to have an outdoor kitchen constructed on the property. To enhance these new constructions, the family asked our firm to develop a formal landscaping design that included formal gardens, new vantage points, and a renovated pool that worked to center and unify the aesthetic of the entire back yard. The ultimate goal of the project was to create a clear line of site from every vantage point of the yard. By removing trees in certain places, we were able to create multiple zones of interest that visually complimented each other from a variety of positions. These positions were first mapped out in the landscape master plan, and then connected by a granite gravel walkway that we constructed. Beginning at the entrance to the master bedroom, the walkway stretched along the perimeter of the yard and connected to the outdoor kitchen. Another major keynote of this formal landscaping design plan was the construction of two formal parterre gardens in each of the far corners of the yard. The gardens were identical in size and constitution. Each one was decorated by a row of three limestone urns used as planters for seasonal flowers. The vertical impact of the urns added a Classical touch to the parterre gardens that created a sense of stately appeal counter punctual to the architecture of the house. In order to allow visitors to enjoy this Classic appeal from a variety of focal points, we then added trail benches at key locations along the walkway. Some benches were installed immediately to one side of each garden. Others were placed at strategically chosen intervals along the path that would allow guests to sit down and enjoy a view of the pool, the house, and at least one of the gardens from their particular vantage point. To centralize the aesthetic formality of the formal landscaping design, we also renovated the existing swimming pool. We replaced the old tile and enhanced the coping and water jets that poured into its interior. This allowed the swimming pool to function as a more active landscaping element that better complimented the remodeled look of the home and the new formal gardens. The redesigned path, with benches, tables, and chairs positioned at key points along its thoroughfare, helped reinforced the pool’s role as an aesthetic focal point of formal design that connected the entirety of the property into a more unified presentation of formal curb appeal. To complete our formal landscaping design, we added accents to our various keynotes. Japanese yew hedges were planted behind the gardens for added dimension and appeal. We also placed modern sculptures in strategic points that would aesthetically balance the classic tone of the garden with the newly renovated architecture of the home and the pool. Zoysia grass was added to the edges of the gardens and pathways to soften the hard lines of the parterre gardens and walkway.

Our client lives on nine acres in Fairfax Station, VA; he requested our firm to create a master plan to include the following; Custom 3-car garage with apartment above, custom paver motor court for easier egress and ingress, more inviting front door entrance with the new smaller motor court with accent stone walls. The backyard was transformed into the ultimate outdoor living and entertaining area, which includes a large custom swimming pool with four gas fire bowl/water feature combo on stone pedestals, custom spa with Ipe pavilion, rain curtain water feature, wood burning stone fireplace as focal point. One of the most impressive features is the pool/guest house with an underground garage to store equipment, two custom Ipe pergolas flank both sides of the pool house, one side with an outdoor shower, and another sidebar area. With six feet of grade change, we incorporated multiple Fieldstone retaining walls, stairs, outdoor lighting, sprinkler irrigation, and a full landscape plan.

Colorado brushed and chiseled in a versaille pattern.

Small Yard Transitional Pool & Spa Resort designed by Mike Farley. This project was designed for lots of fun in a small yard. Elements include: curved water wall with potted plants on pedestals flanking a fire bowl. Spillway is stacked slate spillway, sheer descents, underwater tabletop, large tanning ledge, outdoor kitchen with The Green Egg, grill, storage space, refrigerator and a nice bar! Photography by Mike & Laura Farley.

Designed by Pinnacle Architectural Studio

Masfotogenica Fotografía | Carlos Yagüe

American Heritage Pool Corporation

Andrew Jakovac

Home builders in Tampa, Alvarez Homes designed The Amber model home. At Alvarez Homes, we have been catering to our clients' every design need since 1983. Every custom home that we build is a one-of-a-kind artful original. Give us a call at (813) 969-3033 to find out more. Photography by Jorge Alvarez.

This sideyard is a what they see from their kitchen, informal and formal dining windows. It is just heaven to see instead of the railings and walls. Photo Credit: Coy Gutierrez

Greenery on a wood structure creates privacy for this swimming pool and spa backyard with an outdoor kitchen and spa. The stone veneer used in the fireplace, outdoor kitchen, and swimming pool is Eldorado Rustic Ledge. Photos by Deidre Walpole

This awesome fiberglass pool features interior seating ledges and a tanning ledge for family activities. This pool features a darker finish which gives this pool a really unique and classy look. There are also bubbler jets in the tanning ledge and laminar jets for the kids to have a little extra fun,.

This custom pool & spa in Pompano Beach is the perfect outdoor setting for tranquility and peace. With beautiful custom made fire and water bowls by Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas, sunshelf for lounging, and custom decking, this backyard is ready for fun!