This Toronto couple wanted a good sized pool, patio and lawn area for entertaining friends and family recreation. Since the backyard slopes gently front to back, Betz created a symmetrical design to function on four levels. The focal point is a 16’ x 36’ Gunite pool with the deep end next to the house. You can just walk out and dive into the pool.

This Toronto couple wanted a good sized pool, patio and lawn area for entertaining friends and family recreation. Since the backyard slopes gently front to back, Betz created a symmetrical design to function on four levels. The focal point is a 16’ x 36’ Gunite pool with the deep end next to the house. You can just walk out and dive into the pool.

Challenge: Can you create intimacy in an open 1.5 acre space? Solved: The long, clean lines of this exemplar of modernist landscape architecture are punctuated by multiple strategically separated seating and lounge areas. Here clusters of friends can gather, see and be seen, and soak in the outdoors without intruding on one another’s conversations. The focal point of this linear expanse—a 6-foot-tall stucco wall—is pierced by a broad peek-a-boo window beneath which three hand-crafted copper spouts gently spill falls of water into the main pool. The pool itself, capped with a 4″ purple band set in travertine marble combines with the fire pit nook, spa, and outdoor kitchen/dining area features to elevate this gorgeous new construction well above neighborhood standards.

The entire backyard is low maintenance featuring decorative grasses and trees. A large section of artificial turf was installed for a children’s play area. It has a two percent grade for drainage. The pool’s 18” high end wall helps to keep errant balls out of the pool. In winter, the entire lawn area transforms into an outdoor skating rink. It’s a yard with something for every season.

An existing hot tub was moved to the back of the yard where a cabana was built with architecture to match the house. It features a washroom, granite bar, fridge and media screen with sound system. It’s the perfect place to watch the game, both in and out of the hot tub. The pool equipment is discreetly located in the opposite corner of the yard behind a landscaping screen.

Twin walkouts from the kitchen and living room feature Ipe hardwood landings and steps with glass railings and gates to comply with Toronto’s 4-sided fence requirement. The steps are un-skirted so the yews below will fill in and the stairs will appear to be floating. A section of Ipe deck across the deep end conveniently connects both sides.

The left hand side, accessed from the kitchen walkout, features an upper dining area for four, a custom BBQ station and a larger dining area which comfortably accommodates from six to eight. Both dining tables are elegant, yet substantial with sturdy bases, so strong winds are never a worry.

The custom BBQ station is clad in natural stone and features a granite countertop with Napoleon Prestige Pro grill, matching stainless steel fridge, drawer system and double sear station side burner. This setup certainly provides all the luxury essentials for the aspiring backyard chef.

The right hand side, accessed from the living room walkout, features an upper deck with chaise lounges and lower outdoor living room with comfortable lounge chairs gathered around a cozy natural gas fire feature. The custom cedar fence and row of columnar European Hornbeams, which will continue to fill in, provides privacy from neighbouring houses.

The design is contemporary to match the house. To accentuate the clean lines, the deck of architectural stamped concrete features a simple stack bond pattern. The sandblasted bullnose Eramosa coping contrasts with the pool’s charcoal grey tile and custom blend blue Pebble Fina interior. Access is by twin corner steps at the shallow end, or twin swimout benches at the deep end.

Material Masterpiece Great clients with great vision. The best of Selah Pools & Custom Outdoor Environments starts with our client's willingness to participate in the design process as we build their custom dream. Ultra-Luxe design is found in the details. Each hand cut & placed dry stack stone in this scene, from their outdoor kitchen to the booted patio extension column, throughout the raised spa, the water feature wall, and the fire bowl columns are placed for depth & dimensional effect. The 1x1 glass tile forming the spa spillway attracts the waterfall like a magnet to deliver a gentle edgeless connection to the swimming pool. With carefully cut & placed tile match on the "rolled beam" of the spa interior, the entire spa scene gleams with intent as it delivers smooth, restful comfort. Completing the scene with an expansive pool deck color matched to bring it all together and leaving plenty of room for sports, play & relaxation delivers the total residential dream oasis.

Material Masterpiece Great clients with great vision. The best of Selah Pools & Custom Outdoor Environments starts with our client's willingness to participate in the design process as we build their custom dream. Ultra-Luxe design is found in the details. Each hand cut & placed dry stack stone in this scene, from their outdoor kitchen to the booted patio extension column, throughout the raised spa, the water feature wall, and the fire bowl columns are placed for depth & dimensional effect. The 1x1 glass tile forming the spa spillway attracts the waterfall like a magnet to deliver a gentle edgeless connection to the swimming pool. With carefully cut & placed tile match on the "rolled beam" of the spa interior, the entire spa scene gleams with intent as it delivers smooth, restful comfort. Completing the scene with an expansive pool deck color matched to bring it all together and leaving plenty of room for sports, play & relaxation delivers the total residential dream oasis.

Material Masterpiece Great clients with great vision. The best of Selah Pools & Custom Outdoor Environments starts with our client's willingness to participate in the design process as we build their custom dream. Ultra-Luxe design is found in the details. Each hand cut & placed dry stack stone in this scene, from their outdoor kitchen to the booted patio extension column, throughout the raised spa, the water feature wall, and the fire bowl columns are placed for depth & dimensional effect. The 1x1 glass tile forming the spa spillway attracts the waterfall like a magnet to deliver a gentle edgeless connection to the swimming pool. With carefully cut & placed tile match on the "rolled beam" of the spa interior, the entire spa scene gleams with intent as it delivers smooth, restful comfort. Completing the scene with an expansive pool deck color matched to bring it all together and leaving plenty of room for sports, play & relaxation delivers the total residential dream oasis.

Material Masterpiece Great clients with great vision. The best of Selah Pools & Custom Outdoor Environments starts with our client's willingness to participate in the design process as we build their custom dream. Ultra-Luxe design is found in the details. Each hand cut & placed dry stack stone in this scene, from their outdoor kitchen to the booted patio extension column, throughout the raised spa, the water feature wall, and the fire bowl columns are placed for depth & dimensional effect. The 1x1 glass tile forming the spa spillway attracts the waterfall like a magnet to deliver a gentle edgeless connection to the swimming pool. With carefully cut & placed tile match on the "rolled beam" of the spa interior, the entire spa scene gleams with intent as it delivers smooth, restful comfort. Completing the scene with an expansive pool deck color matched to bring it all together and leaving plenty of room for sports, play & relaxation delivers the total residential dream oasis.

Pool
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool remodel in Berlin

Challenge: Can you create intimacy in an open 1.5 acre space? Solved: The long, clean lines of this exemplar of modernist landscape architecture are punctuated by multiple strategically separated seating and lounge areas. Here clusters of friends can gather, see and be seen, and soak in the outdoors without intruding on one another’s conversations. The focal point of this linear expanse—a 6-foot-tall stucco wall—is pierced by a broad peek-a-boo window beneath which three hand-crafted copper spouts gently spill falls of water into the main pool. The pool itself, capped with a 4″ purple band set in travertine marble combines with the fire pit nook, spa, and outdoor kitchen/dining area features to elevate this gorgeous new construction well above neighborhood standards.

Material Masterpiece Great clients with great vision. The best of Selah Pools & Custom Outdoor Environments starts with our client's willingness to participate in the design process as we build their custom dream. Ultra-Luxe design is found in the details. Each hand cut & placed dry stack stone in this scene, from their outdoor kitchen to the booted patio extension column, throughout the raised spa, the water feature wall, and the fire bowl columns are placed for depth & dimensional effect. The 1x1 glass tile forming the spa spillway attracts the waterfall like a magnet to deliver a gentle edgeless connection to the swimming pool. With carefully cut & placed tile match on the "rolled beam" of the spa interior, the entire spa scene gleams with intent as it delivers smooth, restful comfort. Completing the scene with an expansive pool deck color matched to bring it all together and leaving plenty of room for sports, play & relaxation delivers the total residential dream oasis.

Challenge: Can you create intimacy in an open 1.5 acre space? Solved: The long, clean lines of this exemplar of modernist landscape architecture are punctuated by multiple strategically separated seating and lounge areas. Here clusters of friends can gather, see and be seen, and soak in the outdoors without intruding on one another’s conversations. The focal point of this linear expanse—a 6-foot-tall stucco wall—is pierced by a broad peek-a-boo window beneath which three hand-crafted copper spouts gently spill falls of water into the main pool. The pool itself, capped with a 4″ purple band set in travertine marble combines with the fire pit nook, spa, and outdoor kitchen/dining area features to elevate this gorgeous new construction well above neighborhood standards.

Material Masterpiece Great clients with great vision. The best of Selah Pools & Custom Outdoor Environments starts with our client's willingness to participate in the design process as we build their custom dream. Ultra-Luxe design is found in the details. Each hand cut & placed dry stack stone in this scene, from their outdoor kitchen to the booted patio extension column, throughout the raised spa, the water feature wall, and the fire bowl columns are placed for depth & dimensional effect. The 1x1 glass tile forming the spa spillway attracts the waterfall like a magnet to deliver a gentle edgeless connection to the swimming pool. With carefully cut & placed tile match on the "rolled beam" of the spa interior, the entire spa scene gleams with intent as it delivers smooth, restful comfort. Completing the scene with an expansive pool deck color matched to bring it all together and leaving plenty of room for sports, play & relaxation delivers the total residential dream oasis.