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

Interior design by Vikki Leftwich, furnishings from Villa Vici

M. James Northen - Northen Exposure Photography

Yorkville Hill Landscaping, Inc.

"Vesta" was designed by Mark Pettes of MDP Landscape Consultants Limited and Pro-Land was hired to construct the project in 2012. The backyard landscape included a pool with spillover spa faced in natural stone. Tiered walls surrounding the pool create division between the turf area where the kids can play. We installed flagstone on all patio spaces and retaining/decorative walls. And the main lounge feature is the custom fireplace for cooler nights spent outside.

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.

Photo Credit: Larry Lambrecht

A swimming pool covered by a glazed retractable enclosure was added to this existing residence south-east of Parker, CO. A 3000 square foot deck is on the upper level reached by curving steel stairways on each end. The addition and the existing house received cultured stone veneer with limestone trim on the arches. Tongue and groove knotty cedar planks on the ceiling and beams add visual warmth. Color changing LED light coves provide a fun touch. A hot tub can be seen on the right with living plants in the planter in the distance. Robert R. Larsen, A.I.A. Photo

Tropical living in timeless, luxurious style. ... Modern Balinese, and a blend of Asian influences with Contemporary, Mediterranean architecture. Builder: Professional Grounds, Inc. Photography: George Brown Photography

Interior hot tub room with faux finished walls, natural stone, an interior waterfall and windows to both the outside and viewable from inside the home.

Tony Soluri