The Berry family of Houston, Texas hired us to do swimming pool renovation in their backyard. The pool was badly in need of repair. Its surface, plaster, tile, and coping all needed reworking. The Berry’s had finally decided it was time to do something about this, so they contacted us to inquire about swimming pool restoration. We told them that we could certainly repair the damaged elements. After we took a closer look at the pool, however, we realized that more was required here than a cosmetic solution to wear and tear. Because of some serious design flaws, the aesthetic of the pool worked against surrounding landscape design. The rear portion of the pool was framed by architectural wall, and the water was surrounded by a brick and bluestone patio. The problem lay in the fact that the wall was too tall. It created a sense of separation from the remainder of the yard, and it obscured the view of a beautiful arbor that had been built beneath the trees behind the pool. It also hosted a contemporary-style, sheer-descent waterfall fountain that looked too modern for a traditional lawn and garden design. Restoring this wall to its proper relationship with the landscape would turn out to be one of the key elements to our swimming pool renovations work. We began by lowering the wall the wall so you could see the arbor and trees in the backyard more clearly. We also did away with the sheer-descent waterfall that clashed with surrounding backyard landscape design. We decided that a more traditional fountain would be more appropriate to the setting, and more aesthetically apropos if it complimented the brick and bluestone patio. To create this façade, we had to reconstruct the wall with bluestone columns rising up through the brick. These columns matched the bluestone in the patio, and added a stately form to the otherwise plain brick wall. Each column rose slightly higher than the top of the wall and was capped at the top. Thermal-finish weirs crafted in a flame detail jutted from under the capstones and poured water into the pool below. To draw greater emphasis to the pool itself as a body of water, we continued our swimming pool renovation with an expansion of the brick coping. This drew greater emphasis to the body of water within its form, and helps focus awareness on the tranquility created by the fountain. We also removed the outdated diving board and replaced it with a diving rock. This was safer and more attractive than the board. We also extended the entire pool and patio another 15 feet toward the right. This made the entire area a more relaxed and sweeping expanse of hardscape. While doing so, we expanded the brick coping around the pool from 8 inches to 12 inches. Because the spa had a rather unique shape, we decided to replace the coping here with custom brink interlace style that would fit its irregular design. Now that the swimming pool renovation itself was complete, we sought to extend the new sense of expansiveness into the rest of the yard. To accomplish this, we built a walkway out of bluestone stepping pads that ran across the surface of the water to the arbor on the other side of the fountain wall. This unique pathway created invitation to the world of the trees beyond the water’s edge, and counterbalanced the focal point of the pool area with the arbor as a secondary point of interest. We built a terrace and a dining area here so people could remain here in comfort for as long as they liked without having to run back to the patio or dash inside the kitchen for food and drinks.

Design by Randy Angell Designs Pool & spa build by Pool Environments Patio build out by Key Residential Landscaping by Jason Osterberger Designs
Pool - mid-sized modern backyard concrete and l-shaped pool idea in Dallas

• Freeform pool featuring a raised spa, floating step pads and multiple tanning ledges • Rock waterfall • In-floor cleaning system • PebbleSheen in Ocean Blue • Classic Pool Tile in Destiny Oyster • Ivory Blend Vein Cut travertine paver deck in French pattern • Wood burning firepit • Raised planters with fire bowls • Pentair Colorvision LED bubblers in tanning ledge

We loved this Japanese soaking tub nestled in a bed of river rocks against the bluestone wall.
Photo of a small contemporary backyard landscaping in San Francisco with decking.

Design and Photo Credit to Melda Clark
Pool - mediterranean natural pool idea in Dallas

Example of an island style pool design in Los Angeles

Randy Angell, Designer- A clean, modern aesthetic was the base philosophy for this renovation.
Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped pool remodel in Dallas

contemporary landscape architecture in Rancho Santa Fe, with drought tolerant landscaping, and xeriscape irrigation. professionally installed by Hills Landscapes the design build company - Rob Hill, landscape architect/contractor

salt water pool built by www.monogramcustompools.com in lehigh county PA, upper saucon township.
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A recently completed country French estate in Dallas, Texas. This home features expansive gardens, stone walls, antique limestone paving, a raised pool, a putting green, fire pit and lush gardens with relaxing shade and blooming shrubs

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Bird's eye view of the fire pit seating area and the pool
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Craig Kuhner
Example of a trendy courtyard pool design in Dallas

This home was fully remodeled with a cape cod feel including the interior, exterior, driveway, backyard and pool. We added beautiful moulding and wainscoting throughout and finished the home with chrome and black finishes. Our floor plan design opened up a ton of space in the master en suite for a stunning bath/shower combo, entryway, kitchen, and laundry room. We also converted the pool shed to a billiard room and wet bar.