The great room of the tiny house is the ultimate multi-purpose: living room, dining room, media room, guest bedroom, and yoga room. Lots of natural light brings the outside in and expand the feeling of space. Photo: Eileen Descallar Ringwald

Kirk Bianchi created this resort like setting for a couple from Mexico City. They were looking for a contemporary twist on traditional themes, and Luis Barragán was the inspiration. The outer walls were painted a darker color to recede, while floating panels of color and varying heights provided sculptural interest and opportunities for lighting and shadow.

Inspiration for a transitional landscaping in Boston.

Considering the size limitations of the pool, instead of having a traditional deep end, Betz built a wedge-shaped bottom with a depth of 3’ at the steps to just over 5’ at the main drain. This gentle slope allows bathers to swim, walk the full length, tread water or jump into the pool.

For this seaside patio, creating maximum usable space in a small front yard was the main goal. Equipped with an outdoor kitchen and a large fireplace, this space is a perfect compliment to the recently renovated ultra-modern house.

James Lockhart photo
Hot tub - large transitional backyard rectangular and stone lap hot tub idea in Atlanta

Pool pavillion
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard concrete paver patio remodel in New York with a gazebo

Inspiration for a small modern backyard stone and custom-shaped hot tub remodel in Houston

Large tuscan backyard tile and custom-shaped lap pool photo in Miami

Completed in 2013, this stunning Italianate Mediterranean Villa is located in Highland Park, Texas and stands out in an already distinct architectural neighborhood. This project was designed and installed by Harold Leidner Landscape Architects. The expansive property features a lush landscaping, front motor court with travertine pavers and a luxury pool and spa. The pool area was designed to have a private resort feel to allow for entertaining. In addition to the spacious loggia and cabana spaces, the owner also wanted to have shade protection near the water, so a custom designed pavilion was built on the end of the pool to provide a shaded destination with cushion lounges that extend out into the water, flanked by fountains and adjacent to a fire bowl feature with a classic fire place surround. A truly elegant outdoor space for parties and entertaining with a sophisticated, modern flavor.

Example of a transitional rectangular pool design in New York

Manolo Langis
Example of a classic backyard rectangular pool house design in Los Angeles

Ethan Tweedie Photography
Example of a huge island style infinity pool design in Hawaii

This is an example of a cottage porch design in San Francisco with a pergola.

Considering the size limitations of the pool, instead of having a traditional deep end, Betz built a wedge-shaped bottom with a depth of 3’ at the steps to just over 5’ at the main drain. This gentle slope allows bathers to swim, walk the full length, tread water or jump into the pool.

Inifinity pool with firepits Photo courtesy Royal Palm Properties Signature Estate featuring modern, warm, and clean-line design, with total custom details and finishes. The front includes a serene and impressive atrium foyer with two-story floor to ceiling glass walls and multi-level fire/water fountains on either side of the grand bronze aluminum pivot entry door. Elegant extra-large 47'' imported white porcelain tile runs seamlessly to the rear exterior pool deck, and a dark stained oak wood is found on the stairway treads and second floor. The great room has an incredible Neolith onyx wall and see-through linear gas fireplace and is appointed perfectly for views of the zero edge pool and waterway. The center spine stainless steel staircase has a smoked glass railing and wood handrail.

Originally designed by one of the most notable landscape architects in town, this once impressive project had faltered in recent years. The pool and spa still functioned well, and the client wanted to keep it intact. In addition, they wanted to keep as much of the existing landscaping as possible. The surrounding decks, walls, and steps were fair game. At first glance, one might think that our changes were simple material changes. Upon closer inspection, however, one can see the subtle, yet transformative changes that come together to update this classic pool in a tasteful, timeless manner, and improve the flow and usability of the deck areas, while softening the feel of the massive hardscape. The subtle changes begin as soon as you walk out the back door of the house. The existing decking had a lot of what we call “tweeners”; areas that are overly generous walkways, yet not large enough to house furniture. The awkwardly small bluestone patio was expanded to accommodate a generous seating area, by pushing the step-down closer to the pool. Our talented stone mason carefully married the new bluestone into the existing, resulting in an imperceptible difference between the two. As you descend the new bluestone steps to the pool level, your bare feet will be thankful for the new smooth-finished limestone colored concrete, with a hand cut pattern carefully etched into its surface. The old red brick decking was so hot that the owners could not walk around the pool in bare feet. The brick coping was also replaced with an eased edge Pennsylvania Premier Stone which matches the new step treads throughout the project. Between the house and the pool, a large raised planter was reconfigured, giving additional space to the pool deck for a shaded lounge chair area. Across the pool, a bank of rather tall painted brick retaining walls were cut down, shortened, and moved. This lessened the visual impact of the walls, which were rather overwhelming in the space, as well as opening up a new seating area, nestled under the arms of the massive pecan at the back of the property. Rather than continuing solid decking around the entire pool, the area near these walls has been transformed to large stone stepper pads set in a sea of beautiful St. Augustine lawn. This creates a visually softened area that is still suited to setting tables and chairs when the guest list calls for additional seating. The spa area is quite possibly the most dramatic change on this project. Yet more raised planter walls divided this area into awkward spaces, unsuited to proper furniture placement. The planters were removed, new stone decks, once again expertly married into the existing, opening the area to house a large dining table and new built in bbq area. The spa itself was re-imagined with the bluestone coping, and painted brick veneer. The most impressive addition though is the new handmade glazed tiles that surround the existing cast stone water feature. This water feature was almost unnoticeable against the painted brick wall, but now the dramatic arch and pop of color draw the eye to this quaint little corner of the property.

This backyard resort style design features a custom in-ground swimming pool, cabana with brick fireplace, summer kitchen, gas lanterns and lounge. The custom watershape spa features an island vanishing edge and natural stone steppers. The elevated artificial turf terraces bordered with brickwork create a chaise lounge accent and dry deck lounge areas.