This space is great for parties. Guests are able to utilize the cabana, pool, outdoor seating area, lounge chairs, bar at the outdoor kitchen and outdoor dining.

Robert Shaw photographer

Randy Angell, Designer The beautiful estate already had a well-designed backyard by a prominent landscape architect. This included the upper spa area, which we had built for the previous owner. The challenge presented by the new homeowner was to create a seamless design that integrated the new with the existing, remained true to the original architects vision, and created a space to be enjoyed by the family's children, as well as the many business and charity event guests that would be frequenting the home.

The transitional elements carry throughout this home inside and out: the square columns, clean structural design of both window and roof lines, and the sharp lines of the pool and patio. The Herringbone patterned bricks surround the rectangular pool and spa add just the right texture to this back yard retreat.

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.

Jeff Wescott

Paul Schlisman Photography Courtesy of Southampton Builders LLC

The backyard is designed around a traditional rectangular pool, with custom-sized fired adobe pavers crafted in Mexico specifically for the project. The large steel sash window and door assembly, 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide, offers a luxurious view of the pool courtyard, and the view continues to the lushly vegatated Reatta Wash and up to the mountains beyond. The house wraps around the pool area, creating an "estate" feel that is more commonly in nearby residences of far grander sizes. The tones of three-coat stucco wall finish blend perfectly with the pavers, water, and desert vegetation to create an authentic and satisfying environment, well suited to Scottsdale's climate. Design Principal: Gene Kniaz, Spiral Architects; General Contractor: Eric Linthicum, Linthicum Custom Builders; Photo: Josh Wells, Sun Valley Photo

Pool house that during the summer months a custom cover can be over the trellis for shade between the building.

Richard Leo Johnson/Atlantic Archives, Inc.