A Sympathetic In-between Positioned at the edge of the Field of Mars Reserve, Walless Cabana is the heart of family living, where people and nature come together harmoniously and embrace each other. In creating a seamless transition between the existing family home and the distant bushland, Walless Cabana deliberately curates the language of its surroundings through the Japanese concept of 'Shakkei' or borrowed scenery, ensuring its humble and respectful presence in place. Despite being a permanent structure, it is a transient space that adapts and changes dynamically with everchanging nature, personalities and lifestyle.

Gwinganna, Kiama

Lime Building Group

Beach Haven House

Milieu: Architecture + Design

Infinity Edge Pool With Sunken Seating Area In Fort Lauderdale

Van Kirk & Sons Pools and Spas

This amazing infinity-edge pool with sunken seating area, stepping stones, and firebar feature overlooks the Fort Lauderdale intracoastal and is a beautiful spectacle during the evening!

Swimming Pool Oasis With Custom Pergola

Designer Michael Designs LLC

Oakland Cedar Hot Tub

Cummings Landscape Architecture

Cedar Hot Tub with Wood Roll Cover and Ipe Decking.

Paradise Preserve | Atlantic Beach Contemporary Backyard

Cascade Outdoor Design

This compact space allows for a lot of outdoor living options, without feeling too cramped. The homeowners really wanted a pool and spa, but didn't believe their yard was big enough. Not only did they get both by incorporating a spool, they also have plenty of room for seating and dining, lush landscaping, and a lawn where their child and dogs can play! Photo by Craig O'Neal

outside living area

Fratantoni Luxury Estates Design/Build/Remodeling

We love this backyard retreat featuring an infinity-edge pool, a built-in spa, and a luxury landscape design.

Rancho Santa Fe Swim Up Bar

Jesse York, Landscape Designer

This project epitomizes luxury outdoor living, centered around an extraordinary pool that sets a new standard for leisure and elegance. The pool, features a custom-built swim-up bar, allowing guests to indulge in their favorite beverages without ever leaving the water. Surrounded by sumptuous lounging areas and accented with sophisticated lighting, the pool area promises an unparalleled aquatic experience. Adjacent to this aquatic paradise, the outdoor space boasts an entertainer’s dream kitchen and a mesmerizing fire feature, all framed by breathtaking panoramic views that elevate every gathering. Additionally, the estate includes a state-of-the-art all-purpose sports court, offering endless fun with activities like tennis, basketball, and the ever-popular pickleball. Each aspect of this lavish project has been meticulously curated to provide an ultimate haven of relaxation and entertainment.

Stonelake Haven

Ryan Hughes Design

As night falls, pool lights by Pal Lighting and landscape lights by FX Lighting illuminate Stonelake Haven's cohesive, complex and private outdoor living area based around custom spaces entertainment and relaxation. Custom designed by Ryan Hughes Design Build. Photography by Jimi Smith.

Pool

Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc.

12x12 inground gunite pool with steel rock granite (suede) surround and automated cover. Sun deck surrounded by cable rail system. This timber framed home is a modern architectural masterpiece blended into a majestic rural landscape. Covered walkway leads to detached shop with fully finished mancave. Board and batten siding and stone exterior. Metal roofing and GAF Slateline shingles. Marvin Ultimate windows and doors. Custom cable rail system from Viewrail. Hope's Landmark Series 175 Steel doors. General Contracting by Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc.; James S. Bates, Architect; Interior Design by InDesign; Photography by Marie Martin Kinney.

Slice Of Heaven Lake View Pool Project

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

Slice of Heaven Lake View Pool Project in Flower Mound designed by Mike Farley. FarleyPoolDesigns.com

The Sanctuary | Fall 2020

Tim Perry Photography

Mount Hawthorn Plunge Pool

Naturesque

Pool 9470, Pool, Spa, Pond, Toorak

Neptune Swimming Pools

This project was highly innovative because of its use of steel as a stepping-stone framework rather than traditional concrete. As a fully functioning fishpond, the concrete slabs generally used to suspend the stones would not provide enough room for fish to inhabit comfortably, therefore a steel frame was constructed so that the fish can swim freely underneath the stones and around the pond. The ‘Koi Pond’ is 7.9m x 2.6m and 0.9m deep and was created with specific details that would help the fish species thrive in the pond’s environment, including the use of a dark tile and a filtration system that was carefully selected to accommodate the fish. Along with being a functioning fishpond, this space doubles as a standout water feature. With black glass mosaic tiles and Tundra Marble stone coping, the features are highlighted by the surrounding greenery and a pedestal for a feature pot adds dimension and detail.

Custom Pool & Spa With Fire Features In Lighthouse Point

Van Kirk & Sons Pools and Spas

This luxurious pool and spa in Lighthouse Point is the ultimate backyard paradise! Complete with French Silver interior, custom spillway spa, fire feature, and 2 custom made by Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas fire bowls, this is sure to please on a summer evening!

River Vale, Bergen County, New Jersey

The Pool Boss

In this dream backyard we showcase The Villa, a classic linear pool with a flare. This pool also features a bench and a spill over hot tub. This backyard is an entertainer's delight, featuring multiple entertainment zones designed by The Pool Boss. The lush greeny creates an Old English garden feel.

Below Ground Pool with Patio and Pool House Project

ALL Renovation & Design LLC

For this project, we were asked to create an outdoor living area around a newly-constructed pool. We worked with the customer on the design, layout, and material selections. We constructed two decks: one with a vinyl pergola, and the other with a roof and screened-in porch. We installed Cambridge pavers around pool and walkways. We built custom seating walls and fire pit. Our team helped with selecting and installing planting beds and plants. Closer to the pool we constructed a custom 16’x28’ pool house with a storage area, powder room, and finished entertaining area and loft area. The interior of finished area was lined with tongue-and-groove pine boards and custom trim. To complete the project, we installed aluminum fencing and designed and installed an outdoor kitchen. In the end, we helped this Berks County homeowner completely transform their backyard into a stunning outdoor living space.

Round and Custom-shaped Pool Design Ideas

Swimming pools are heavenly during hot Australian and New Zealand summers and are the perfect way to cool down, relax, entertain friends and even get fit. A pool can also create visual interest, especially when you consider features like coloured pool tiles, lighting and landscaping. If you are short on space, you might still fit a lap pool, plunge pool or swim spa, all of which could be focal points in your small garden. As you plan your pool design, map out your space and determine what size, shape and style works best for you. Browse the photos on Houzz for design ideas for above ground pools, inground pools, as well as pool landscaping and novelty features like pool slides or water features. Then, save your favourite photos to an ideabook, and get in touch with the experts behind your favourite picks.

What type of pool should I install?

The dimensions of your backyard will determine the type of inground pools you can install. Take into account boundary restrictions and pool fencing compliance. Fibreglass versions are cheaper, and quicker to install; whereas concrete constructions are better suited to tricky sites and give you more freedom in design. If you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to commit to an inground pool, above ground pools are a more affordable alternative. If you only have a small backyard, a plunge pool is a great solution, and can easily run along a boundary wall or down the side of a house. This option is also low maintenance, can be heated for use in winter, and can do double duty as a swim spa. A long, narrow space, on the other hand, could fit a lap pool, whereas a water feature could fill an awkward space. If your backyard features a stunning vista, consider an infinity pool to accentuate the view.

What pool fencing options are available?

While the specifics vary from state to state, fencing is required of most pool designs. However, pool fencing doesn’t have to obscure your pool design. Glass fencing is increasingly popular for this reason exactly, and is available framed, frameless, semi-frameless and even in-ground. A cheaper alternative is aluminium or steel fencing, which, again, are available in a variety of styles: flat top, loop-top, double-top and wire-based.

What pool landscaping features should I consider?

To get the most out of your pool, design an area that offers multiple hangouts. Include a nearby barbecue, dining area, seating for lounging and outdoor shower. Having shaded areas will give you more reason to stay poolside longer, too. Timber decking and stone paving are popular choices for pool surrounds, and are also helpful in creating zones. Just imagine a raised timber platform with a daybed – a luxurious, resort-style addition to any pool design. Leafy trees and rocks will create a more natural-looking oasis, and will help provide more privacy for swimmers. Where you want your landscape to be the main focus, keep pool equipment and furnishings to a minimum.