B&C Nursery

Lovely backyard in New Braunfels, Texas. The vanishing edge pool (also called an infinity or negative edge) overlooks the Hill Country and has a spa for ultimate relaxation. Right next to the pool is an outdoor kitchen, complete with a propane grill, sink, and plenty of counter space. Beautiful natural stones make a walkway to the pool from the house, and there is plenty of decking around the pool for sunbathing.

Tara Sullivan

Pennsylvania Bluestone pool patio surrounding a rectangular/formal swimming pool. Emerald Green Arborvitae provide privacy.

Cody Pools - Bland

This project, completed for a client in Sugar Land, Texas, was authorized by the homeowner and the architect and was done in conjunction with the efforts of the builder. Its minimalist approach to vegetation, its custom swimming pool design, and its unique hardscapes offer the reader an excellent example of contemporary landscape design. There were a lot of challenges to designing a pool that worked with the architecture of the home and fit the available space in the back yard. To understand the unique nature of the pool, we have to take a closer look at the home. The house features a number of curved facades and unique angles. Instead of a traditional back porch, it features a custom stonework patio and an outdoor kitchen. The pool is elevated above the shrub palette to make it level with the floor of the house. This compensates for the drop in elevation on the way to a lake that is located just beyond the property line. The back patio is made from sandstone laid over a concrete base. It double functions as a deck and as a floor of the summer kitchen that leads straight to the water’s edge. Such a fusion of human architecture with natural elements is common in contemporary landscape design. It is further reinforced by custom water jets built along the patio’s edge using a special construction technique. Our design team predetermined the location of each stone. Intersections of the stones were marked, and the pipes which eventually fed the jets were installed before setting the stone in place. This creates the very powerful illusion that the water is springing from the stone itself. It is perhaps the most effective method of extending the geometry of manmade forms into the natural world beyond as if to establish the supremacy of mind over the raw elements of nature. To continue the home’s architecture, we had to build the pool in a rectilinear shape with a decidedly curved edge that reflected the unique facades of the home. This enables the pool to better connect with the landscape as it gently arcs through the vegetation. This works to establish the preeminence of home architecture over the entire yard. This is a common and very powerful theme found in most contemporary landscape designs. Guests standing on the back patio get the sense that the design of the home itself has been extended infinitely into the yard—making it appear as though it is an actual part of the home. The top of the coping slopes down to the water at a 45 degree angle, creating a marked aesthetic that mirrors the grade of the yard that slopes toward the lake in the distance. This is an example of curved facades and walkway surfaces. The upper story and windows overhang the front wall and the contemporary style front door. We accented the scene with a small birch tree and low growth boxwood shrubs, dwarf yaupon, agapanthus, and nandina. We also planted Bermuda grass, which looks very good cut very short and retains its color. Bermuda grass is often used in contemporary landscape design to line stone walkways and to contemplate small shrubs.

Located in one of Belleair's most exclusive gated neighborhoods, this spectacular sprawling estate was completely renovated and remodeled from top to bottom with no detail overlooked. With over 6000 feet the home still needed an addition to accommodate an exercise room and pool bath. The large patio with the pool and spa was also added to make the home inviting and deluxe.

Old Farm Project - Pergola & Pool - Athens Building Company

Backyard Oasis at its finest... Custom water feature, jump rock, deck jets, stamped cantilevered coping, vinyl liner steps and bench does not disappoint.

This sleek rectilinear pool measures 10'0" x 27'0", and the hot tub is 10'0" x 6'0". The coping is Valders Wisconsin Limestone. Both the pool and hot tub have their own automatic pool safety covers with custom stone lid systems. A large top step serves as a sunshelf for the pool-width steps. Adorned by lush turf on several sides, the hardscapes consist of New York Bluestone. Photos by Larry Huene.

This Pump Hill home is truly city living at its finest. From the custom exposed aggregate driveway and walkway, to the backlit stairs up to the front door no detail was overlooked in the construction of this home. The backyard features a custom 12 x 24 pool complete with an outdoor changeroom and shower. Whether the clients choose to lounge by the fireplace or sunbath on the suspended mahogany deck luxury awaits at every point of the yard. With an extensive outdoor kitchen and raised bar overlooking the yard this yard was made for entertaining. Photo credit: Jamen Rhodes

DEBRIERE RESIDENCE Location: Kalamazoo, MI Scope: Design & Installation Features: L-Shaped Pool | Paver Pool Deck with Accent Border | Oversized Steps | Mosaic Glass Tile | Oversized Steps | Diving Board | Pebble Finish | Custom Cedar Fence | Integrated Cedar Outdoor Shower and Changing Room with Barn Door

Chapel Hill, NC custom concrete pool with infinity edge and waterfall. Landscape design and build. © 2012 Ben Case, Down to Earth Designs, Inc.

T&T Photos