Willow Bend Plano Modern Renovation
When a couple decided to buy a home on the West side of Plano, TX and turn it into the "forever home" of their dreams, they didn't waste any time bringing Randy on board to help them re-envision their backyard. The key things on their wish list were as follows:
1.) A generous amount of entertaining space
2.) A fresh look for the existing pool
3.) An abundance of visually stunning, modern features
This wishlist would be met in the following ways:
First, all existing decking (including the home's existing covered patio area) would be completely demolished and removed to make room for a new decking layout. The new concrete decking would be colored to match the Lueder limestone coping that would later outline the pool. It would also be given squared-off, angular edges and straight-line saw cuts which would help modernize the look of their free-form pool.
Upon the new decking layout, and in addition to the existing covered patio area, there would be new entertaining areas implemented, including an outdoor dining area, an area for multiple lounge chairs, and a seating area that would outline the new "floating fire pit".
Before it was time to re-finish the pool, Pool Environments would first need to demolish a portion of one of the pool's hips along its beam. This would allow them to tie into the existing pool beam and re-shape this particular spot in order to build the custom raised water/fire feature that Randy had designed for them. It would be a raised cylindrical water pedestal with a shallow fountain-like pool on top whereby the water would overflow outward on all sides. It would then trickle down over a glass mosaic veneer that would wrap all the way around. Along the pool side, this pedestal would be fitted with four stainless steel tubular scuppers that would gently pour water out into the pool. And if that weren't visually striking enough as it were, the shallow pool above housed a large fire bowl that, after completion, appeared to float on top of the water.
The rest of the pool would later be stripped down and re-coated with Marbletite brand "Marquis Series" plaster; the perfect pairing for a "Gemstone Aquamarine" glass mosaic waterline tile, made by National Pool Tile. This all helped to modernize the pool by lightening the overall color palette. And the waterline tile--even though it almost blended in with the plaster--managed to add a tinge of color and just the right amount of "sparkle" to the pool outline without drawing too much attention away from the rest of the yard's other modern features.
The fire pit and lounger areas would be outfitted with Lueder limestone pavers, but visually set apart with the implementation of synthetic turf seams running between the pavers. Paired with generous planters and planter beds, this brought a very organic/natural feel to the abundant concrete hardscapes surrounding the pool area.
Just off to the side of the house (and approximately 24 inches lower in elevation), there was a previously unused side yard that Randy made great use of in his design. He incorporated a large, shallow wood deck which would later become the perfect outdoor dining area. And after covering this side yard with more synthetic turf, it would also become the perfect place to sit and watch the kids play on their playground.
Separating the two areas (as well as their two foot change in elevation), CMU retaining walls were built to keep the higher ground from becoming the lower ground, and it was later painted a soft shade of grey to compliment the "bone" colored concrete and Lueder limestone accents. Cascading down and over the retaining wall is a short set of poured concrete steps, as well as a few poured concrete steppers that help get you from the pool area to the lower dining area.
What this couple ended up with was a fantastic, modern, outdoor entertaining space, custom-tailored to their exact taste and needs; a space they would be able to enjoy with their little ones for years to come. Now the only problem to overcome would be deciding on the perfect outdoor furnishings to complete their new spaces.
1.) A generous amount of entertaining space
2.) A fresh look for the existing pool
3.) An abundance of visually stunning, modern features
This wishlist would be met in the following ways:
First, all existing decking (including the home's existing covered patio area) would be completely demolished and removed to make room for a new decking layout. The new concrete decking would be colored to match the Lueder limestone coping that would later outline the pool. It would also be given squared-off, angular edges and straight-line saw cuts which would help modernize the look of their free-form pool.
Upon the new decking layout, and in addition to the existing covered patio area, there would be new entertaining areas implemented, including an outdoor dining area, an area for multiple lounge chairs, and a seating area that would outline the new "floating fire pit".
Before it was time to re-finish the pool, Pool Environments would first need to demolish a portion of one of the pool's hips along its beam. This would allow them to tie into the existing pool beam and re-shape this particular spot in order to build the custom raised water/fire feature that Randy had designed for them. It would be a raised cylindrical water pedestal with a shallow fountain-like pool on top whereby the water would overflow outward on all sides. It would then trickle down over a glass mosaic veneer that would wrap all the way around. Along the pool side, this pedestal would be fitted with four stainless steel tubular scuppers that would gently pour water out into the pool. And if that weren't visually striking enough as it were, the shallow pool above housed a large fire bowl that, after completion, appeared to float on top of the water.
The rest of the pool would later be stripped down and re-coated with Marbletite brand "Marquis Series" plaster; the perfect pairing for a "Gemstone Aquamarine" glass mosaic waterline tile, made by National Pool Tile. This all helped to modernize the pool by lightening the overall color palette. And the waterline tile--even though it almost blended in with the plaster--managed to add a tinge of color and just the right amount of "sparkle" to the pool outline without drawing too much attention away from the rest of the yard's other modern features.
The fire pit and lounger areas would be outfitted with Lueder limestone pavers, but visually set apart with the implementation of synthetic turf seams running between the pavers. Paired with generous planters and planter beds, this brought a very organic/natural feel to the abundant concrete hardscapes surrounding the pool area.
Just off to the side of the house (and approximately 24 inches lower in elevation), there was a previously unused side yard that Randy made great use of in his design. He incorporated a large, shallow wood deck which would later become the perfect outdoor dining area. And after covering this side yard with more synthetic turf, it would also become the perfect place to sit and watch the kids play on their playground.
Separating the two areas (as well as their two foot change in elevation), CMU retaining walls were built to keep the higher ground from becoming the lower ground, and it was later painted a soft shade of grey to compliment the "bone" colored concrete and Lueder limestone accents. Cascading down and over the retaining wall is a short set of poured concrete steps, as well as a few poured concrete steppers that help get you from the pool area to the lower dining area.
What this couple ended up with was a fantastic, modern, outdoor entertaining space, custom-tailored to their exact taste and needs; a space they would be able to enjoy with their little ones for years to come. Now the only problem to overcome would be deciding on the perfect outdoor furnishings to complete their new spaces.
Project Year: 2014
Country: United States
Zip Code: 75093
Others who worked on this project: Pool Environments, Inc.
