Perfect paving slab for modern poolsides and backyard design, Blu Grande Smooth is a large concrete patio stone available in multiple colors. Its smooth texture is sleek to the eye but rougher to the touch which avoids it from getting slippery when wet. Learn more about this large modern concrete slab here: https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/blu-grande-smooth/

Photos by Joe Murgel
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard deck remodel in Toronto with a fire pit and no cover

Perfect paving slab for modern poolsides and backyard design, Blu Grande Smooth is a large concrete patio stone available in multiple colors. It's smooth texture is sleek to the eye but rougher to the touch which avoids it from getting slippery when wet. The large rectangular shape works as an easy add-on into Blu 60 regular modular patterns but can also work as a stand-alone to create a very linear look. Check out the HD2 Blu Grande Smooth which is all about seamless looks with a tighter/poreless texture and anti-aging technology. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/blu-grande-smooth/ Our retaining wall is inspired by our Graphix Wall. Techo-Bloc has redefined landscape products once again with this eye-catching ultra-modern double-sided retaining wall. The Graphix wall’s varying depths and unique but simple installation process creates a 3 dimensional visual effect. The mix of smooth and chiseled textures add another factor of visual interest to this wall, making it perfect for design lovers and those seeking something sleek and out of the box. Great for retaining soil, building planters, blade walls or vertical elements such as fire, water or outdoor kitchen features. Graphix is part of the dry cast collection. Check out our website to shop the look! https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/walls/graphix-wall/

Howard Roberts
Pool - eclectic pool idea in New York

A concrete dining table paired with colorful dishware and flowers make for a refreshing place to enjoy a summer meal.
Inspiration for a large industrial rooftop deck remodel in Chicago

Copyright 2015 Glenna Partridge
Inspiration for a transitional landscaping in Vancouver.

During hot weather this pool/spa is the perfect place to lay back and lounge in the cooling waters. When the heater is turned up to spa temperatures, it’s perfect for stress relief and muscle relaxation. The eight powerful spa jets can enhance the experience at any time.

In the hills of San Anselmo in Marin County, this 5,000 square foot existing multi-story home was enlarged to 6,000 square feet with a new dance studio addition with new master bedroom suite and sitting room for evening entertainment and morning coffee. Sited on a steep hillside one acre lot, the back yard was unusable. New concrete retaining walls and planters were designed to create outdoor play and lounging areas with stairs that cascade down the hill forming a wrap-around walkway. The goal was to make the new addition integrate the disparate design elements of the house and calm it down visually. The scope was not to change everything, just the rear façade and some of the side facades. The new addition is a long rectangular space inserted into the rear of the building with new up-swooping roof that ties everything together. Clad in red cedar, the exterior reflects the relaxed nature of the one acre wooded hillside site. Fleetwood windows and wood patterned tile complete the exterior color material palate. The sitting room overlooks a new patio area off of the children’s playroom and features a butt glazed corner window providing views filtered through a grove of bay laurel trees. Inside is a television viewing area with wetbar off to the side that can be closed off with a concealed pocket door to the master bedroom. The bedroom was situated to take advantage of these views of the rear yard and the bed faces a stone tile wall with recessed skylight above. The master bath, a driving force for the project, is large enough to allow both of them to occupy and use at the same time. The new dance studio and gym was inspired for their two daughters and has become a facility for the whole family. All glass, mirrors and space with cushioned wood sports flooring, views to the new level outdoor area and tree covered side yard make for a dramatic turnaround for a home with little play or usable outdoor space previously. Photo Credit: Paul Dyer Photography.

Justin Maconochie Justin Maconochie
Design ideas for a traditional front yard formal garden in Detroit.

Ed Castro Landscape: Atlanta's finest source for landscape design, construction, maintenance, and horticultural services.
Mountain style patio photo in Atlanta

This backyard was completely reimagined into a modern, fully automated outdoor living space designed for relaxation, entertaining, and year-round enjoyment. At the center of the design is a fully automated 11’ x 9’ inground spa, equipped with a dedicated pump for powerful swimming jets and a sleek sheer descent water feature. The spa is finished with pour-in-place coping, stack stone on the spa facing, and low-voltage LED lighting to enhance both functionality and nighttime ambiance. Adjacent to the spa is a custom rectangular fire pit, featuring pour-in-place coping, stack stone veneer, and integrated low-voltage lighting, creating a warm and inviting focal point for evening gatherings. For entertaining, we built a custom BBQ island topped with a concrete countertop, and fully equipped with an ice chest, refrigerator, trash pull-out, and ample storage space, offering both durability and a clean, modern aesthetic. The hardscape includes 24” x 12” decking pavers installed throughout the yard and continued along the side of the house, all designed with proper drainage for long-term performance and durability. A raised planter system adds structure and greenery to the space, finished with pour-in-place coping, smooth stucco planter faces, and low-voltage lighting both on and within the planters. An irrigation drip system was integrated into all planters to ensure efficient watering and healthy plant growth with minimal maintenance. To soften the design, artificial grass with stepping stones was installed, creating a low-maintenance, lush look while improving flow through the yard. For evening atmosphere, three metal posts were installed for string lighting, complemented by low-voltage lighting throughout all flat and raised planters to deliver layered, resort-style ambiance after dark. Finally, white vinyl gates and fencing were added to enclose and conceal the spa and pool equipment, topped with a privacy extension to keep the space visually clean and private. The result is a cohesive, modern outdoor retreat that balances design, comfort, and functionality. Perfect for both entertaining and everyday enjoyment.

This backyard was completely reimagined into a modern, fully automated outdoor living space designed for relaxation, entertaining, and year-round enjoyment. At the center of the design is a fully automated 11’ x 9’ inground spa, equipped with a dedicated pump for powerful swimming jets and a sleek sheer descent water feature. The spa is finished with pour-in-place coping, stack stone on the spa facing, and low-voltage LED lighting to enhance both functionality and nighttime ambiance. Adjacent to the spa is a custom rectangular fire pit, featuring pour-in-place coping, stack stone veneer, and integrated low-voltage lighting, creating a warm and inviting focal point for evening gatherings. For entertaining, we built a custom BBQ island topped with a concrete countertop, and fully equipped with an ice chest, refrigerator, trash pull-out, and ample storage space, offering both durability and a clean, modern aesthetic. The hardscape includes 24” x 12” decking pavers installed throughout the yard and continued along the side of the house, all designed with proper drainage for long-term performance and durability. A raised planter system adds structure and greenery to the space, finished with pour-in-place coping, smooth stucco planter faces, and low-voltage lighting both on and within the planters. An irrigation drip system was integrated into all planters to ensure efficient watering and healthy plant growth with minimal maintenance. To soften the design, artificial grass with stepping stones was installed, creating a low-maintenance, lush look while improving flow through the yard. For evening atmosphere, three metal posts were installed for string lighting, complemented by low-voltage lighting throughout all flat and raised planters to deliver layered, resort-style ambiance after dark. Finally, white vinyl gates and fencing were added to enclose and conceal the spa and pool equipment, topped with a privacy extension to keep the space visually clean and private. The result is a cohesive, modern outdoor retreat that balances design, comfort, and functionality. Perfect for both entertaining and everyday enjoyment.

This backyard was completely reimagined into a modern, fully automated outdoor living space designed for relaxation, entertaining, and year-round enjoyment. At the center of the design is a fully automated 11’ x 9’ inground spa, equipped with a dedicated pump for powerful swimming jets and a sleek sheer descent water feature. The spa is finished with pour-in-place coping, stack stone on the spa facing, and low-voltage LED lighting to enhance both functionality and nighttime ambiance. Adjacent to the spa is a custom rectangular fire pit, featuring pour-in-place coping, stack stone veneer, and integrated low-voltage lighting, creating a warm and inviting focal point for evening gatherings. For entertaining, we built a custom BBQ island topped with a concrete countertop, and fully equipped with an ice chest, refrigerator, trash pull-out, and ample storage space, offering both durability and a clean, modern aesthetic. The hardscape includes 24” x 12” decking pavers installed throughout the yard and continued along the side of the house, all designed with proper drainage for long-term performance and durability. A raised planter system adds structure and greenery to the space, finished with pour-in-place coping, smooth stucco planter faces, and low-voltage lighting both on and within the planters. An irrigation drip system was integrated into all planters to ensure efficient watering and healthy plant growth with minimal maintenance. To soften the design, artificial grass with stepping stones was installed, creating a low-maintenance, lush look while improving flow through the yard. For evening atmosphere, three metal posts were installed for string lighting, complemented by low-voltage lighting throughout all flat and raised planters to deliver layered, resort-style ambiance after dark. Finally, white vinyl gates and fencing were added to enclose and conceal the spa and pool equipment, topped with a privacy extension to keep the space visually clean and private. The result is a cohesive, modern outdoor retreat that balances design, comfort, and functionality. Perfect for both entertaining and everyday enjoyment.

This backyard was completely reimagined into a modern, fully automated outdoor living space designed for relaxation, entertaining, and year-round enjoyment. At the center of the design is a fully automated 11’ x 9’ inground spa, equipped with a dedicated pump for powerful swimming jets and a sleek sheer descent water feature. The spa is finished with pour-in-place coping, stack stone on the spa facing, and low-voltage LED lighting to enhance both functionality and nighttime ambiance. Adjacent to the spa is a custom rectangular fire pit, featuring pour-in-place coping, stack stone veneer, and integrated low-voltage lighting, creating a warm and inviting focal point for evening gatherings. For entertaining, we built a custom BBQ island topped with a concrete countertop, and fully equipped with an ice chest, refrigerator, trash pull-out, and ample storage space, offering both durability and a clean, modern aesthetic. The hardscape includes 24” x 12” decking pavers installed throughout the yard and continued along the side of the house, all designed with proper drainage for long-term performance and durability. A raised planter system adds structure and greenery to the space, finished with pour-in-place coping, smooth stucco planter faces, and low-voltage lighting both on and within the planters. An irrigation drip system was integrated into all planters to ensure efficient watering and healthy plant growth with minimal maintenance. To soften the design, artificial grass with stepping stones was installed, creating a low-maintenance, lush look while improving flow through the yard. For evening atmosphere, three metal posts were installed for string lighting, complemented by low-voltage lighting throughout all flat and raised planters to deliver layered, resort-style ambiance after dark. Finally, white vinyl gates and fencing were added to enclose and conceal the spa and pool equipment, topped with a privacy extension to keep the space visually clean and private. The result is a cohesive, modern outdoor retreat that balances design, comfort, and functionality. Perfect for both entertaining and everyday enjoyment.

This backyard was completely reimagined into a modern, fully automated outdoor living space designed for relaxation, entertaining, and year-round enjoyment. At the center of the design is a fully automated 11’ x 9’ inground spa, equipped with a dedicated pump for powerful swimming jets and a sleek sheer descent water feature. The spa is finished with pour-in-place coping, stack stone on the spa facing, and low-voltage LED lighting to enhance both functionality and nighttime ambiance. Adjacent to the spa is a custom rectangular fire pit, featuring pour-in-place coping, stack stone veneer, and integrated low-voltage lighting, creating a warm and inviting focal point for evening gatherings. For entertaining, we built a custom BBQ island topped with a concrete countertop, and fully equipped with an ice chest, refrigerator, trash pull-out, and ample storage space, offering both durability and a clean, modern aesthetic. The hardscape includes 24” x 12” decking pavers installed throughout the yard and continued along the side of the house, all designed with proper drainage for long-term performance and durability. A raised planter system adds structure and greenery to the space, finished with pour-in-place coping, smooth stucco planter faces, and low-voltage lighting both on and within the planters. An irrigation drip system was integrated into all planters to ensure efficient watering and healthy plant growth with minimal maintenance. To soften the design, artificial grass with stepping stones was installed, creating a low-maintenance, lush look while improving flow through the yard. For evening atmosphere, three metal posts were installed for string lighting, complemented by low-voltage lighting throughout all flat and raised planters to deliver layered, resort-style ambiance after dark. Finally, white vinyl gates and fencing were added to enclose and conceal the spa and pool equipment, topped with a privacy extension to keep the space visually clean and private. The result is a cohesive, modern outdoor retreat that balances design, comfort, and functionality. Perfect for both entertaining and everyday enjoyment.

This backyard was completely reimagined into a modern, fully automated outdoor living space designed for relaxation, entertaining, and year-round enjoyment. At the center of the design is a fully automated 11’ x 9’ inground spa, equipped with a dedicated pump for powerful swimming jets and a sleek sheer descent water feature. The spa is finished with pour-in-place coping, stack stone on the spa facing, and low-voltage LED lighting to enhance both functionality and nighttime ambiance. Adjacent to the spa is a custom rectangular fire pit, featuring pour-in-place coping, stack stone veneer, and integrated low-voltage lighting, creating a warm and inviting focal point for evening gatherings. For entertaining, we built a custom BBQ island topped with a concrete countertop, and fully equipped with an ice chest, refrigerator, trash pull-out, and ample storage space, offering both durability and a clean, modern aesthetic. The hardscape includes 24” x 12” decking pavers installed throughout the yard and continued along the side of the house, all designed with proper drainage for long-term performance and durability. A raised planter system adds structure and greenery to the space, finished with pour-in-place coping, smooth stucco planter faces, and low-voltage lighting both on and within the planters. An irrigation drip system was integrated into all planters to ensure efficient watering and healthy plant growth with minimal maintenance. To soften the design, artificial grass with stepping stones was installed, creating a low-maintenance, lush look while improving flow through the yard. For evening atmosphere, three metal posts were installed for string lighting, complemented by low-voltage lighting throughout all flat and raised planters to deliver layered, resort-style ambiance after dark. Finally, white vinyl gates and fencing were added to enclose and conceal the spa and pool equipment, topped with a privacy extension to keep the space visually clean and private. The result is a cohesive, modern outdoor retreat that balances design, comfort, and functionality. Perfect for both entertaining and everyday enjoyment.

This backyard was completely reimagined into a modern, fully automated outdoor living space designed for relaxation, entertaining, and year-round enjoyment. At the center of the design is a fully automated 11’ x 9’ inground spa, equipped with a dedicated pump for powerful swimming jets and a sleek sheer descent water feature. The spa is finished with pour-in-place coping, stack stone on the spa facing, and low-voltage LED lighting to enhance both functionality and nighttime ambiance. Adjacent to the spa is a custom rectangular fire pit, featuring pour-in-place coping, stack stone veneer, and integrated low-voltage lighting, creating a warm and inviting focal point for evening gatherings. For entertaining, we built a custom BBQ island topped with a concrete countertop, and fully equipped with an ice chest, refrigerator, trash pull-out, and ample storage space, offering both durability and a clean, modern aesthetic. The hardscape includes 24” x 12” decking pavers installed throughout the yard and continued along the side of the house, all designed with proper drainage for long-term performance and durability. A raised planter system adds structure and greenery to the space, finished with pour-in-place coping, smooth stucco planter faces, and low-voltage lighting both on and within the planters. An irrigation drip system was integrated into all planters to ensure efficient watering and healthy plant growth with minimal maintenance. To soften the design, artificial grass with stepping stones was installed, creating a low-maintenance, lush look while improving flow through the yard. For evening atmosphere, three metal posts were installed for string lighting, complemented by low-voltage lighting throughout all flat and raised planters to deliver layered, resort-style ambiance after dark. Finally, white vinyl gates and fencing were added to enclose and conceal the spa and pool equipment, topped with a privacy extension to keep the space visually clean and private. The result is a cohesive, modern outdoor retreat that balances design, comfort, and functionality. Perfect for both entertaining and everyday enjoyment.

This backyard was completely reimagined into a modern, fully automated outdoor living space designed for relaxation, entertaining, and year-round enjoyment. At the center of the design is a fully automated 11’ x 9’ inground spa, equipped with a dedicated pump for powerful swimming jets and a sleek sheer descent water feature. The spa is finished with pour-in-place coping, stack stone on the spa facing, and low-voltage LED lighting to enhance both functionality and nighttime ambiance. Adjacent to the spa is a custom rectangular fire pit, featuring pour-in-place coping, stack stone veneer, and integrated low-voltage lighting, creating a warm and inviting focal point for evening gatherings. For entertaining, we built a custom BBQ island topped with a concrete countertop, and fully equipped with an ice chest, refrigerator, trash pull-out, and ample storage space, offering both durability and a clean, modern aesthetic. The hardscape includes 24” x 12” decking pavers installed throughout the yard and continued along the side of the house, all designed with proper drainage for long-term performance and durability. A raised planter system adds structure and greenery to the space, finished with pour-in-place coping, smooth stucco planter faces, and low-voltage lighting both on and within the planters. An irrigation drip system was integrated into all planters to ensure efficient watering and healthy plant growth with minimal maintenance. To soften the design, artificial grass with stepping stones was installed, creating a low-maintenance, lush look while improving flow through the yard. For evening atmosphere, three metal posts were installed for string lighting, complemented by low-voltage lighting throughout all flat and raised planters to deliver layered, resort-style ambiance after dark. Finally, white vinyl gates and fencing were added to enclose and conceal the spa and pool equipment, topped with a privacy extension to keep the space visually clean and private. The result is a cohesive, modern outdoor retreat that balances design, comfort, and functionality. Perfect for both entertaining and everyday enjoyment.