We cannot take credit for the expansive 40-year old oak that shades the driveway and wraps the home in privacy. The owners credit the squirrels! Established tree canopy like this is literally priceless - it adds value to the Retreat, and also neighboring homes.

Gaura or Wandflower bloom in the picket fence enclosed perennial garden of this Cape Cod home.
Design ideas for a large traditional partial sun side yard stone formal garden in Boston for summer.

Nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool with raised spa, sunshelf, slide, grotto, and pizza oven (September 2013) – Ask the Pool Guy and his team at Legendary Escapes recently unveiled the newest Legendary Escape, a stunning nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool. The hand-carved concrete waterfall, rock slide, and grotto are the focal point of this incredible project, and designer and builder Al Curtis has truly outdone himself this time. Behind the waterfall sits a grotto that seats 8-10 people comfortably. The waterfall, slide, and grotto area come complete with intricate details and additions that perfectly play into the project’s theme. An immense amount of creativity, talent, and skill is required to take ordinary materials like vinyl and concrete and turn them into the outstanding backyards that Curtis creates, but these details allow his creativity to shine in a different light. Curtis immerses himself completely in just one or two projects at a time, which allows him the opportunity to add those intricate details that take his extraordinary projects to the next level. Some of the details in the grotto area of this hybrid project include real ship portholes that open and close, as well as carvings and lanterns to add visual interest inside of the grotto. The project also includes a raised spillover spa and a sunshelf with a bubbling water feature. The sunshelf has steps leading into the main body of the pool, giving swimmers an easy entry point if they don’t feel the urge to jump off the top of the waterfall or take a ride down the hand-carved, hand-tiled slide. The shelf has just enough water to allow shallow wading or lounging, and the pebbled finish provides a perfect place to set a lounge chair without worrying about damaging the vinyl liner. With the spa nearby, this whole end of the pool is perfect for relaxing, talking, or watching the kids while they swim. This incredible hybrid swimming pool also includes a poolside pizza oven, so fresh, stone-fired pizza is never far away. The brick oven can cook a pizza in about 90 seconds, and produces authentic, outstanding pizzas. The homeowners have spent years perfecting their pizza crust and sauce recipes, as well as growing their own tomatoes and basil. The pizza oven adds another element of their own personality, and makes this project even more perfect for them. With a built-in countertop, it’s easy to get a couple of pies going at one time, or to prep ingredients for personal pizzas. The homeowners are very family-oriented and love to have friends and family over to their home. During the construction process, the Legendary Escapes crew met several friends and family members who stopped in for some quality time and to check out the progress of the pool. The finished product is a perfect place for entertaining, and it feels very comfortable and welcoming. With the sunshelf, spa, grotto, poolside seating, and the pool itself, there are plenty of different places to sit or soak and have conversations or splash around. Curtis is incredibly proud of this project, and he has high hopes for it. He was recently named a Master of Design by Pool & Spa News for a hybrid swimming pool he built in Brighton, MI. This new, nautical hybrid pool fits in beautifully with his portfolio, but also stands out as extraordinary. The team at Legendary Escapes anticipates positive feedback and recognition for this project, and looks forward to building more swimming pools that push the envelope and wow clients and fans.

Nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool with raised spa, sunshelf, slide, grotto, and pizza oven (September 2013) – Ask the Pool Guy and his team at Legendary Escapes recently unveiled the newest Legendary Escape, a stunning nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool. The hand-carved concrete waterfall, rock slide, and grotto are the focal point of this incredible project, and designer and builder Al Curtis has truly outdone himself this time. Behind the waterfall sits a grotto that seats 8-10 people comfortably. The waterfall, slide, and grotto area come complete with intricate details and additions that perfectly play into the project’s theme. An immense amount of creativity, talent, and skill is required to take ordinary materials like vinyl and concrete and turn them into the outstanding backyards that Curtis creates, but these details allow his creativity to shine in a different light. Curtis immerses himself completely in just one or two projects at a time, which allows him the opportunity to add those intricate details that take his extraordinary projects to the next level. Some of the details in the grotto area of this hybrid project include real ship portholes that open and close, as well as carvings and lanterns to add visual interest inside of the grotto. The project also includes a raised spillover spa and a sunshelf with a bubbling water feature. The sunshelf has steps leading into the main body of the pool, giving swimmers an easy entry point if they don’t feel the urge to jump off the top of the waterfall or take a ride down the hand-carved, hand-tiled slide. The shelf has just enough water to allow shallow wading or lounging, and the pebbled finish provides a perfect place to set a lounge chair without worrying about damaging the vinyl liner. With the spa nearby, this whole end of the pool is perfect for relaxing, talking, or watching the kids while they swim. This incredible hybrid swimming pool also includes a poolside pizza oven, so fresh, stone-fired pizza is never far away. The brick oven can cook a pizza in about 90 seconds, and produces authentic, outstanding pizzas. The homeowners have spent years perfecting their pizza crust and sauce recipes, as well as growing their own tomatoes and basil. The pizza oven adds another element of their own personality, and makes this project even more perfect for them. With a built-in countertop, it’s easy to get a couple of pies going at one time, or to prep ingredients for personal pizzas. The homeowners are very family-oriented and love to have friends and family over to their home. During the construction process, the Legendary Escapes crew met several friends and family members who stopped in for some quality time and to check out the progress of the pool. The finished product is a perfect place for entertaining, and it feels very comfortable and welcoming. With the sunshelf, spa, grotto, poolside seating, and the pool itself, there are plenty of different places to sit or soak and have conversations or splash around. Curtis is incredibly proud of this project, and he has high hopes for it. He was recently named a Master of Design by Pool & Spa News for a hybrid swimming pool he built in Brighton, MI. This new, nautical hybrid pool fits in beautifully with his portfolio, but also stands out as extraordinary. The team at Legendary Escapes anticipates positive feedback and recognition for this project, and looks forward to building more swimming pools that push the envelope and wow clients and fans.

PHOTO: SINUHE XAVIER
Example of a mid-sized beach style rooftop balcony deck design in Los Angeles with a pergola

Twinleaf Jeffersonia diphylla - NYBG
Inspiration for a landscaping in New York for spring.

M. ERBS Staff
Photo of an eclectic landscaping in New York.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard gravel formal garden in Santa Barbara for spring.

Inspiration for a cottage staircase remodel in Calgary

Photo by Pete Cadieux
Design ideas for a mid-sized farmhouse partial sun courtyard landscaping in Boston.

Large Cedar trees shade a private garden. Rhododendrons bloom in the foreground against a horizontal Cedar slat fence. Photo Credit: annacaitlinphotography.com

Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in Los Angeles.

Ellie Koleen Photography

Photo of a transitional landscaping in Phoenix.

pink, flora

A close up of the potted plants.
Design ideas for a traditional backyard landscaping in San Francisco for spring.

Water lilies help keep your water feature looking great in Rochester, NY Pond Plants Rochester NY, #WaterGarden pond plants Monroe County NY, Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls 585.442.6373 www.acornponds.com can Install or Maintain Plants for sustainable gardens. Learn more about #WaterLilies Pond Plants and other Water Plants in the Rochester New York (NY) area: http://www.acornponds.com/water-lilies.html Check out our website for more information on Aquatic Pond Plants & Ideas for your Water Gardens: http://www.acornponds.com/aquatic-plants.html Contact Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls now at 585.442.6373 or fill out a contact form and someone will get right back to you: http://www.acornponds.com/contact-us.html View the steps involved for installing a beautiful Fish Pond or #WaterGarden in the Rochester New York (NY) area. http://www.acornponds.com/water-garden-installation.html Learn more about ecosystem ponds on here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/acorn-landscaping-landscape-designlightingbackyard-water-gardens/acorn-landscaping-designs-installs-aquascape-ecosystem-water-garden-fish-ponds-i/464917560212038 Click on the link below to view our Houzz Ideabook on LED Landscape Lighting: http://www.houzz.com/projects/143886/led-landscape-lighting-designer-installer-service-monroe-county-rochester-ny Get some Landscape Design Ideas from Our Hometalk Project on Landscape Designs here: http://www.hometalk.com/b/145298/acorn-landscaping-s-board Interested in a Pond or Water Garden? View our Pinterest album on Garden Ponds: http://www.pinterest.com/acornlandscape/water-features-rochester-ny-ponds-ecosystem-ponds-/ Click on the link below for a free magazine all about Ponds and Water Features: http://flip.it/gsrNN Interested in a Waterfalls without the Pond? View our Google+ album on Pondless Waterfalls: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/10036415089494

Steve Lambert
This is an example of a modern shade backyard retaining wall landscape in San Francisco for fall.