This multi-story pool enclosure project took place at a home in Windermere, FL, this picture is an interior view.

I was initially contacted by the builder and architect working on this Modern European Cottage to review the property and home design before construction began. Once the clients and I had the opportunity to meet and discuss what their visions were for the property, I started working on their wish list of items, which included a custom concrete pool, concrete spa, patios/walkways, custom fencing, and wood structures. One of the largest challenges was that this property had a 30% (or less) hardcover surface requirement for the city location. With the lot size and square footage of the home I had limits to how much hardcover we could add to property. So, I had to get creative. We presented to the city the usage of the Live Green Roof plantings that would reduce the hardcover calculations for the site. Also, if we kept space between the Laurel Sandstones walkways, using them as steppers and planting groundcover or lawn between the stones that would also reduce the hard surface calculations. We continued that theme with the back patio as well. The client’s esthetic leaned towards the minimal style, so by adding greenery between stones work esthetically. I chose the Laurel Tumbled Sandstone for the charm and character and thought it would lend well to the old world feel of this Modern European Cottage. We installed it on all the stone walkways, steppers, and patios around the home and pool. I had several meetings with the client to discuss/review perennials, shrubs, and tree selections. Plant color and texture of the planting material were equally important to the clients when choosing. We grouped the plantings together and did not over-mix varieties of plants. Ultimately, we chose a variety of styles from natural groups of plantings to a touch of formal style, which all work cohesively together. The custom fence design and installation was designed to create a cottage “country” feel. They gave us inspiration of a country style fence that you may find on a farm to keep the animals inside. We took those photos and ideas and elevated the design. We used a combination of cedar wood and sandwich the galvanized mesh between it. The fence also creates a space for the clients two dogs to roam freely around their property. We installed sod on the inside of the fence to the home and seeded the remaining areas with a Low Gro Fescue grass seed with a straw blanket for protection. The minimal European style custom concrete pool was designed to be lined up in view from the porch and inside the home. The client requested the lawn around the edge of the pool, which helped reduce the hardcover calculations. The concrete spa is open year around. Benches are on all four sides of the spa to create enough seating for the whole family to use at the same time. Mortared field stone on the exterior of the spa mimics the stone on the exterior of the home. The spa equipment is installed in the lower level of the home to protect it from the cold winter weather. Between the garage and the home’s entry is a pea rock sitting area and is viewed from several windows. I wanted it to be a quiet escape from the rest of the house with the minimal design. The Skyline Locust tree planted in the center of the space creates a canopy and softens the side of garage wall from the window views. The client will be installing a small water feature along the garage for serene noise ambience. The client had very thoughtful design ideas styles, and our collaborations all came together and worked well to create the landscape design/installation. The result was everything they had dreamed of and more for their Modern European Cottage home and property.

Hill Country living embodies beautiful scenery and amazing sunsets. This custom freeform pool features a spa with a gorgeous chopped stone spillway, a scupper water feature, lush planter beds and landscaping. This is the perfect retreat for fun, relaxation and evenings with breathtaking sunsets. Combining leuders and a lighter flagstone for the decking helps to marry the style of the home to outdoor space.

Jonathan Edwards Media

The original pool had a small spa inside the main pool footprint. We moved the spa outside and to the east end of the rectangular pool, making it larger and surrounded by a tanning shelf. Entire yard was ripped out and redesigned with new cement, turf and a living/dining pavilion. Photo Credit: Henry Connell

Exceptional Frames Photography

Erin Dougherty

photos by Holly Lepere

Here one can lay by the poolside and gaze out past the hard geometry that leads to the pool's flowing endless edge where green plants and a green vineyard counters with the natural ruffles and stuff that plant life and nature has to offer John Luhn

Product: Authentic Thick Limestone Pool Coping elements for pool edge Ancient Surfaces Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com The design of external living spaces is known as the 'Al Fresco' space design as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates in 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a contemporary swimming pool or spa into a traditional Italian Mediterranean pool can be easily achieved by selecting one of our most prized surfaces, 'The Foundation Slabs' pool coping Oolitic planks. The ease and cosines of this outdoor Mediterranean pool and spa experience will evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that on only gets while being surrounded with the pristine beauty of nature. This powerful feeling of unison with all has been known in our early recorded human history thought many primitive civilizations as a way to get people closer to the ultimate truth. A very basic but undisputed truth and that's that we are all connected to the great mother earth and to it's powerful life force that we are all a part of...

outside living area

Geometric Pool with Geometric Spa: -Pebble Sheen Slate Blue interior finish -Dark Grey imported Granite coping -6’ x 8’ rectangular spa -Extra large top step / sun-shelf -Dedicated pumps for water features -Pool wall raised entire length of pool – combination of Blue Ridge & Tower Hill Granite veneer -Full outdoor kitchen with outdoor plasma TV -Paramount PV-R in-floor cleaning system (pool is 99% vacuum free without the need of any type robot) -Concrete Paver patio

The spa is covered in split face stone in the color silver. The coping is travertine in Antico. The decking is sprayed with Kool Deck in silver. We used a 6x6 waterline tile to mimic the water color. The Pebble Tech color is Blue Surf. The grotto and spa make the most relaxing sounds. photo by Michelle Yeatts

Greg Grupenhof

Pool and amenity deck is located on the second floor, above the first.