The Sunset Team

This is a model home pool at the Toll Brothers Hidden Canyon Collection in Irvine, CA. This modern swimming pool is raised above deck level and includes a vanishing edge around the entire pool and an overflow glass spa on the right side of the pool. This is truly a spectacular pool and spa combination that is modern, sleek and elegant.

This backyard features a jacuzzi, grilling station and fire pit for outdoor entertaining that's sure to impress. We partnered with Jennifer Allison Design on this project. Her design firm contacted us to paint the entire house - inside and out. Images are used with permission. You can contact her at (310) 488-0331 for more information.

Everyday is a staycation with this custom built luxurious resort style pool in your backyard! From the beach entry with bubbling fountains, swim up bar with in water bar stools, lazy river, natural stone spa, flowing rock water fall, and fire pit, this is a pool that your family and friends will love and enjoy for years... even your mother-in-law wont want to leave!

The 5,000 square foot private residence is located in the community of Horseshoe Bay, above the shores of Lake LBJ, and responds to the Texas Hill Country vernacular prescribed by the community: shallow metal roofs, regional materials, sensitive scale massing and water-wise landscaping. The house opens to the scenic north and north-west views and fractures and shifts in order to keep significant oak, mesquite, elm, cedar and persimmon trees, in the process creating lush private patios and limestone terraces. The Owners desired an accessible residence built for flexibility as they age. This led to a single level home, and the challenge to nestle the step-less house into the sloping landscape. Full height glazing opens the house to the very beautiful arid landscape, while porches and overhangs protect interior spaces from the harsh Texas sun. Expansive walls of industrial insulated glazing panels allow soft modulated light to penetrate the interior while providing visual privacy. An integral lap pool with adjacent low fenestration reflects dappled light deep into the house. Chaste stained concrete floors and blackened steel focal elements contrast with islands of mesquite flooring, cherry casework and fir ceilings. Selective areas of exposed limestone walls, some incorporating salvaged timber lintels, and cor-ten steel components further the contrast within the uncomplicated framework. The Owner’s object and art collection is incorporated into the residence’s sequence of connecting galleries creating a choreography of passage that alternates between the lucid expression of simple ranch house architecture and the rich accumulation of their heritage. The general contractor for the project is local custom homebuilder Dauphine Homes. Structural Engineering is provided by Structures Inc. of Austin, Texas, and Landscape Architecture is provided by Prado Design LLC in conjunction with Jill Nokes, also of Austin. Paul Bardagjy Photography

Appearing to float within the pool, the 8 foot circular lowered fire lounge and patio area provides a prime vantage point for embracing the total outdoor experience. Photography by Joe Traina

Request Free Quote This amazing home features a backyard patio and pool area with a spectacular custom pool with many features including island which feature sitting areas and fire pit a spa as well as incredible slide which goes into the swimming pool. The pool measures roughly 2300 square feet, and has a deep end of 10'0". The spa is raised and has 12 therapy heads. There is LED colored lighting throughout the project. There is a 300 square foot zero depth beach entry into the pool with agitator jets to keep the water moving. There is also a sunshelf within the pool. The lazy river wraps around the sunken island, and the current in the lazy river is propelled by a commercial waterpark quality pumping system. The sunken island has lighting, a fire pit, and a bridge connecting it to the decking area. There is an infinity edge on one edge of the pool. The pool also has an in-floor cleaning system to keep it clean and sanitary. The swimming pool also has the ability to change colors at night utilizing the amazing LED lighting system. The pool and spa exposed aggregate finish is French Gray color. The slide that cascades down the grotto is custom built. The waterfall grotto also provide a thrilling jump off point into the deepest part of the pool. This amazing backyard was designed and built for a home in Bull Valley Illinois.

Peter B

Photo taken by, Bernard Andre

In this pirates themed backyard there is so much to do for kids of all ages! Details include a rope swing from an artificial tree, large slide that takes you underground before you enter the pool, an enormous grotto to stay cool under, a rope bridge over the pool, spa and tanning ledge. For those less adventurous, there are two covered deck area as well as a large covered outdoor living area. Photography: Daniel Driensky

Stunning private oasis in Colleyville, TX designed by Mike Farley and recently on HGTV's "Ultimate Pools" Shangri-La Pool. This project was constructed for privacy and relaxation. It has multiple water features including slate water walls, double rain falls coming out of a 10' arbor, fire bowls, water bowls, rain fall into spa, full outdoor kitchen, elevation changes, flagstone beach entry, large tanning ledge from tanning ledge to rain curtain, hidden grotto, diving slab, built in table. All put together it creates the perfect tranquil, private oasis with cascading waters all around. Photos by Mike Farley

The siting and design of the spa was centered on the concept of water filling a void where a boulder may once have been located. By painstakingly preserving the adjacent boulder during construction, integrating site boulders within the spa and using native stone around the spa this concept is achieved. Plants surrounding the spa further integrated it into its context. Richardson & Associates, Landscape Architects

New pool, jacuzzi, fire pit, stairs and retaining walls were created where there was previously an 8 foot high hill in the owner's yard. The site was excavated and terraced to create this tranquil exterior with multiple functions. photos by Holly Lepere

The planning phase of this modern retreat was an intense collaboration that took place over the course of more than two years. While the initial design concept exceeded the clients' expectations, it also exceeded their budget beyond the point of comfort. The next several months were spent modifying the design, in attempts to lower the budget. Ultimately, the decision was made that they would hold off on the project until they could budget for the original design, rather than compromising the vision. About a year later, we repeated that same process, which resulted in the same outcome. After another year-long hiatus, we met once again. We revisited design thoughts, each of us bringing to the table new ideas and options. Each thought simply solidified the fact that the initial vision was absolutely what we all wanted to see come to fruition, and the decision was finally made to move forward. The main challenge of the site was elevation. The Southeast corner of the lot stands 5'6" above the threshold of the rear door, while the Northeast corner dropped a full 2' below the threshold of the door. The backyard was also long and narrow, sloping side-to-side and toward the house. The key to the design concept was to deftly place the project into the slope and utilize the elevation changes, without allowing them to dominate the yard, or overwhelm the senses. The unseen challenge on this project came in the form of hitting every underground issue possible. We had to relocate the sewer main, the gas line, and the electrical service; and since rock was sitting about 6" below the surface, all of these had to be chiseled through many feet of dense rock, adding to our projected timeline and budget. As you enter the space, your first stop is an outdoor living area. Smooth finished concrete, colored to match the 'Leuder' limestone coping, has a subtle saw-cut pattern aligned with the edges of the recessed fire pit. In small spaces, it is important to consider a multi-purpose approach. So, the recessed fire pit has been fitted with an aluminum cover that allows our client to set up tables and chairs for entertaining, right over the top of the fire pit. From here, it;s two steps up to the pool elevation, and the floating 'Leuder' limestone stepper pads that lead across the pool and hide the dam wall of the flush spa. The main retaining wall to the Southeast is a poured concrete wall with an integrated sheer descent waterfall into the spa. To bring in some depth and texture, a 'Brownstone' ledgestone was used to face both the dropped beam on the pool, and the raised beam of the water feature wall. The main water feature is comprised of five custom made stainless steel scuppers, supplied by a dedicated booster pump. Colored concrete stepper pads lead to the 'Ipe' wood deck at the far end of the pool. The placement of this wood deck allowed us to minimize our use of retaining walls on the Northeast end of the yard, since it drops off over three feet below the elevation of the pool beam. One of the most unique features on this project has to be the structure over the dining area. With a unique combination of steel and wood, the clean modern aesthetic of this structure creates a visual stamp in the space that standard structure could not accomplish. 4" steel posts, painted charcoal grey, are set on an angle, 4' into the bedrock, to anchor the structure. Steel I-beams painted in green-yellow color--aptly called "frolic"--act as the base to the hefty cedar rafters of the roof structure, which has a slight pitch toward the rear. A hidden gutter on the back of the roof sends water down a copper rain chain, and into the drainage system. The backdrop for both this dining area , as well as the living area, is the horizontal screen panel, created with alternating sizes of cedar planks, stained to a calm hue of dove grey.

Pool with White Diamonds Pebble Sheen from Pebble Technology. Waterline tile is Sicis Colibri glass tile. Custom copper water feature with acrylic panels from 3form. Travertine decking. Color LED lighting. Photos by Scott Sandler