Designer, Randy Angell The "before" photos on this backyard show a non descript, typical 30 year old pool. The homeowners had no desire to "play it safe" and so, we didn't! We utilized th simple, straight lines of the existing pool to lay out a multi level space for an outdoor living area, a sun lounge area, and a cooking and dining area.

It started with vision. Then arrived fresh sight, seeing what was absent, seeing what was possible. Followed quickly by desire and creativity and know-how and communication and collaboration. When the Ramsowers first called Exterior Worlds, all they had in mind was an outdoor fountain. About working with the Ramsowers, Jeff Halper, owner of Exterior Worlds says, “The Ramsowers had great vision. While they didn’t know exactly what they wanted, they did push us to create something special for them. I get inspired by my clients who are engaged and focused on design like they were. When you get that kind of inspiration and dialogue, you end up with a project like this one.” For Exterior Worlds, our design process addressed two main features of the original space—the blank surface of the yard surrounded by looming architecture and plain fencing. With the yard, we dug out the center of it to create a one-foot drop in elevation in which to build a sunken pool. At one end, we installed a spa, lining it with a contrasting darker blue glass tile. Pedestals topped with urns anchor the pool and provide a place for spot color. Jets of water emerge from these pedestals. This moving water becomes a shield to block out urban noises and makes the scene lively. (And the children think it’s great fun to play in them.) On the side of the pool, another fountain, an illuminated basin built of limestone, brick and stainless steel, feeds the pool through three slots. The pool is counterbalanced by a large plot of grass. What is inventive about this grassy area is its sub-structure. Before putting down the grass, we installed a French drain using grid pavers that pulls water away, an action that keeps the soil from compacting and the grass from suffocating. The entire sunken area is finished off with a border of ground cover that transitions the eye to the limestone walkway and the retaining wall, where we used the same reclaimed bricks found in architectural features of the house. In the outer border along the fence line, we planted small trees that give the space scale and also hide some unsightly utility infrastructure. Boxwood and limestone gravel were embroidered into a parterre design to underscore the formal shape of the pool. Additionally, we planted a rose garden around the illuminated basin and a color garden for seasonal color at the far end of the yard across from the covered terrace. To address the issue of the house’s prominence, we added a pergola to the main wing of the house. The pergola is made of solid aluminum, chosen for its durability, and painted black. The Ramsowers had used reclaimed ornamental iron around their front yard and so we replicated its pattern in the pergola’s design. “In making this design choice and also by using the reclaimed brick in the pool area, we wanted to honor the architecture of the house,” says Halper. We continued the ornamental pattern by building an aluminum arbor and pool security fence along the covered terrace. The arbor’s supports gently curve out and away from the house. It, plus the pergola, extends the structural aspect of the house into the landscape. At the same time, it softens the hard edges of the house and unifies it with the yard. The softening effect is further enhanced by the wisteria vine that will eventually cover both the arbor and the pergola. From a practical standpoint, the pergola and arbor provide shade, especially when the vine becomes mature, a definite plus for the west-facing main house. This newly-created space is an updated vision for a traditional garden that combines classic lines with the modern sensibility of innovative materials. The family is able to sit in the house or on the covered terrace and look out over the landscaping. To enjoy its pleasing form and practical function. To appreciate its cool, soothing palette, the blues of the water flowing into the greens of the garden with a judicious use of color. And accept its invitation to step out, step down, jump in, enjoy.

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.

The local fieldstone blend covering the facade, the roof pitch, roofing materials, and architectural details of the new pool structure matches that of the main house. The rough hewn trusses in the hearth room mimic the structural components of the family room in the main house. Sliding barn doors at the front & back of the poorhouse allow the structure to be fully opened or closed. To provide access for cords of firewood to be delivered directly to the pool house, a cart path was cut through the woods from the driveway around the back of the house.

Pool & Pool House Stowe, Vermont This mountain top residential site offers spectacular 180 degree views towards adjacent hillsides. The client desired to replace an existing pond with a pool and pool house to be used for both entertaining and family use. The open site is adjacent to the driveway to the north but offered spectacular mountain views to the south. The challenge was to provide privacy at the pool without obstructing the beautiful vista from the entry drive. Working closely with the architect we designed the pool and pool house as one modern element closely linked by proximity, detailing & geometry. In so doing, we used precise placement, careful choice of building & site materials, and minimalist planting. Existing trees were edited to open up selected views to the south. Rows of ornamental grasses provide architectural delineation of outdoor space. Understated stone steps in the lawn loosely connect the pool to the main house. Architect: Michael Minadeo + Partners Image Credit: Westphalen Photography

For this home we were hired as the Architect only. Siena Custom Builders, Inc. was the Builder. +/- 5,200 sq. ft. home (Approx. 42' x 110' Footprint) Cedar Siding - Cabot Solid Stain - Pewter Grey

Superior Pools Custom Turf & Travertine Deck Pool & Spa. (Dunn) NAPLES, FL - Premium Select Snow White Marble 'Floating Deck' - 16 x 16 4 pc. Squares....Set 6 Apart Mud Set - Customer SuppliedInstalled Artificial Turf Grass - Premium Select Snow White Marble 12 x 24 Coping w Bullnose - 10 Pool Beam - Pool Waterline Tile Snow White Marble (Polished) 1 x 2 - Spa Tile Snow White Marble (Polished) 1 x 1 - Stonescapes Midnight Blue - +21 Raised Hybrid 'Champagne' Spa (From Sun ShelfApprox. +12 Above Pool Beam) w 6 Therapy Jets - Sun Shelf w Pentair LED Bubbler and Umbrella Sleeve (Transformer Included) - Additional Entry Steps w Bench Seating - PCC 2000 In Floor Cleaning System - Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 420 Sq. Ft. Cartridge Filter - Auto Fill - Perimeter Fence Per Code w Two 6' Double Gates Like What You See? Contact Us Today For A Free No Hassel Quote @ Info@SuperiorPools.com or www.superiorpools.com/contact-us Superior Pools Teaching Pools! Building Dreams! Superior Pools Info@SuperiorPools.com www.SuperiorPools.com www.homesweethomefla.com www.youtube.com/Superiorpools www.g.page/SuperiorPoolsnearyou/ www.facebook.com/SuperiorPoolsswfl/ www.instagram.com/superior_pools/ www.houzz.com/pro/superiorpoolsswfl/superior-pools www.guildquality.com/pro/superior-pools-of-sw-florida www.yelp.com/biz/superior-pools-of-southwest-florida-port-charlotte-2 www.nextdoor.com/pages/superior-pools-of-southwest-florida-inc-port-charlotte-fl/ #SuperiorPools #HomeSweetHome #AwardWinningPools #CustomSwimmingPools #Pools #PoolBuilder #Top50PoolBuilder #1PoolInTheWorld #1PoolBuilder #TeamSuperior #SuperiorFamily #SuperiorPoolstomahawktikibar #TeachingPoolsBuildingDreams #GotQualityGetSuperior #JoinTheRestBuildWithTheBest #HSH #LuxuryPools #CoolPools #AwesomePools #PoolDesign #PoolIdeas

Atlanta Swimming Pool Builder. Georgia Classic Pool® is the Premier Custom Pool Builder and Outdoor Living, Landscape and Hardscape Services Company serving the north metro Atlanta Georgia area. Vance Dover

This Bradford Spa which are made with stainless steel and tile inlay. The inside dimensions of this tub are 12-ft by 8-ft and 14-ft 8-in x 9.5-ft outside dimension.

This pool and spa combination has an Infinity Edge. The spa is raised slightly with a Negative Edge that overflows into the infinity gutter system. Both inside coping and tile are Black Absolute Granite with a honed finish. Outside coping is 2’ x2’ Bluestone pavers and both pool and spa are finished with a Black Galaxy Pebblefina.

Pool - traditional rectangular pool idea in Cincinnati

Product: Authentic Limestone for Exterior Living Spaces. Ancient Surfaces Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com The design of external living spaces is known as the 'Al Fresco' design style as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates into 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a fully functional outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, BBQ, fireplace or Jacuzzi pool spa all out of old reclaimed Mediterranean stone pieces is no easy task and shouldn’t be created out of the lowest common denominator of building materials such as concrete, Indian slates or Turkish travertine. The one thing you can bet the farmhouse on is that when the entire process unravels and when your outdoor living space materializes from the architects rendering to real life, you will be guaranteed a true Mediterranean living experience if your choice of construction material was as authentic and possible to the Southern Mediterranean regions. We believe that the coziness of your surroundings brought about by the creative usage of our antique stone elements will only amplify that authenticity. whether you are enjoying a relaxing time soaking the sun inside one of our Jacuzzi spa stone fountains or sharing unforgettable memories with family and friends while baking your own pizzas in one of our outdoor BBQ pizza ovens, our stone designs will always evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that one only gets while being on vacation is some exotic European island surrounded with the pristine beauty of indigenous nature and ancient architecture...

Elegant brick and rectangular pool photo in San Francisco

Traditional rectangular pool with beautiful landscaping.
Inspiration for a timeless rectangular pool remodel in DC Metro

7500 Sq. Ft. 2012 Parade House Dominion Subdivision
Example of a trendy pool design in Austin

Renovated to accommodate a family of eight, this oceanfront home proudly overlooks the gateway to Marblehead Neck. This renovation preserves and highlights the character and charm of the existing circa 1900 gambrel while providing comfortable living for this large family. The finished product is a unique combination of fresh traditional, as exemplified by the contrast of the pool house interior and exterior. Photo Credit: Eric Roth

This beautiful pool in Miami Florida features one of a kind landscaping with spa and wet edge! The tile for the pool and spa are beautiful teal colors and the LED lights add extra flavor at night!

Photo by Grey Crawford. This luxurious classic traditional residence was designed for a female executive in the apparel business. The poolside cabana’s intimate space is surrounded with potted flowers and a hanging art piece, creating a decorated feeling of an interior living room. Published in Luxe magazine Summer 2008. Winner of the American Society of Interior Designers' Gold Award for Best Home Over 3,500 Sq. Ft. Also, featured on HGTV's Top Ten in 2009.

French Inspired Pool and Landscape. Designed and Photographed by Marco Romani, RLA - Landscape Architect. Arrow
Example of a classic backyard stone and rectangular pool fountain design in Chicago