View of diving cove extend to volleyball area and baha sun deck. sunken pool house in background. Design by: VanElders Design Studio. Matt Kocourek Photography, www.mattkocourek.com

A beautiful backyard with a pool house, pergola, outdoor shower and a fire pit. Perfect for entertaining on a warm summer afternoon.
Example of a large country backyard concrete paver and rectangular pool house design in New York

This project the home sat at the top of the hill with breathtaking views all around. The challenge was restrictions that dictated the placement of the pool a distance from the house. The final design was very pleasing with the swimming pool on the slope with these amazing views. A walkway leads from the side of the home to the pool gate. On entering the pool area, reveals a spa cascading into the pool, ample Techo-Bloc paver pool decking, and the valley laid out below. Photography by Michel Bonomo

Product: Authentic Thick Limestone Pool Coping elements for pool edge 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' space design as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates in 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a contemporary swimming pool or spa into a traditional Italian Mediterranean pool can be easily achieved by selecting one of our most prized surfaces, 'The Foundation Slabs' pool coping Oolitic planks. The ease and cosines of this outdoor Mediterranean pool and spa experience will evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that on only gets while being surrounded with the pristine beauty of nature. This powerful feeling of unison with all has been known in our early recorded human history thought many primitive civilizations as a way to get people closer to the ultimate truth. A very basic but undisputed truth and that's that we are all connected to the great mother earth and to it's powerful life force that we are all a part of...

This is a wonderful lap pool that has a taste of modern with the clean lines and cement cabana that also has a flair of the rustic with wood beams and a hill country stone bench. It also has a simple grass lawn that has very large planters as signature statements to once again give it a modern feel. Photography by Vernon Wentz of Ad Imagery

View from the bluestone patio out across the pool to Duxbury Bay. Photo by Charles Mayer
Example of a mid-sized classic stone and rectangular hot tub design in Boston

This is a wonderful lap pool that has a taste of modern with the clean lines and cement cabana that also has a flair of the rustic with wood beams and a hill country stone bench. It also has a simple grass lawn that has very large planters as signature statements to once again give it a modern feel. Photography by Vernon Wentz of Ad Imagery

gail bishop
Inspiration for a transitional backyard stamped concrete and rectangular pool fountain remodel in New York

This classic formal design focuses on the rear wall. The wall is a beautifully proportioned multi-height wall, faced in Leuder limestone. As the stonewalls gracefully stair step down, shorter columns serve as the base to four Frank Lloyd Wright inspired cast stone bowls.

To keep plants from going into the pool, I recommend planting succulents, and using only one or two varieties to maintain a streamlined appearance. If they are nearby a fire pit, as seen here, make sure that all flora stay contained inside the planter, so as not to catch on fire.

Free Form Pool and Fountains
Elegant backyard custom-shaped natural pool photo in New York

Large mountain style backyard stone and custom-shaped pool photo in Denver

This project of ours is a pool in Massachusetts that offers plenty of surround seating and beautiful landscaping. The crystal blue water fills a fairly simply designed pool with round steps and a deep end swim out bench for relaxing in the deep end.

This custom pool and spa have everything a backyard needs. The custom pergola over the spa rains water to keep you warm. There is also a raised wall with 2 bubblers and a fire feature.

David Burroughs
Elegant rectangular pool photo in Baltimore with decking

The Cipriano Landscape Architecture office used LED and fiber optic pool & landscape lighting to bring out all of the violin pool's characteristics. The entire pool and spa are finished in a unique glass tile gradient which beautifully reflects the pool lighting. Landscape lighting finishes out the nighttime scene for this luxury property.

Matt Vacca
Pool - small southwestern backyard concrete and rectangular pool idea in Phoenix

Peter Vanderwarker
Pool - traditional indoor rectangular pool idea in Boston

This late 70's ranch style home was recently renovated with a clean, modern twist on the ranch style architecture of the existing residence. We were hired to create the entire outdoor environemnt including the new pool and spa. Similar to the renovated home, this aquatic environment was designed to take a traditional pool and gives it a clean, modern twist. The site proved to be perfect for a long, sweeping curved water feature that can be seen from all of the outdoor gathering spaces as well as many rooms inside the residence. This design draws people outside and allows them to explore all of the features of the pool and outdoor spaces. Features of this resort like outdoor environment include play pool with two lounge areas with LED lit bubblers, Pebble Tec Pebble Sheen Luminous series pool finish, Lightstreams glass tile, spa with six custom copper Bobe water spillway scuppers, water feature wall with three custom copper Bobe water scuppers, Fully automated with Pentair Equipment, LED lighting throughout the pool and spa, gathering space with automated fire pit, lounge deck area, synthetic turf between step pads and deck and a fully loaded Gourmet outdoor kitchen to meet all the entertaining needs. This outdoor environment cohesively brings the clean & modern finishes of the renovated home seamlessly to the outdoors to a pool and spa for play, exercise and relaxation. Photography: Daniel Driensky