This young family in uptown Toronto wanted their medium-sized backyard to be something special. The wanted all the luxuries for family fun and relaxation plus quality components for entertaining. Finally, the backyard should be low maintenance to support their busy dual-career lifestyle. Next photos are same pool. (15 x 29, rectangular)

Quietly tucked in the back corner beside the sheer descent is a 4-post charcoal-stained cedar roof structure which is the lady of the house’s reading lounge. In the corner on the other side behind a row of decorative grasses is a painted cedar enclosure which houses the pool equipment and garden storage.

After dark the celebratory mood extends to the pool, deck lounge area and swim up bar. This unique backyard makeover is evidence that Betz can effectively execute designs envisioned by others, in this case one from Mexico. Olé to the spirit of collaboration!

The highlight of the backyard is the 15’ x 29.5’ custom Gunite pool, which occupies much of the back portion. In each corner of the deep end it features convenient underwater swimout benches. The surrounding greenery highlighted by tall green beech trees helps to add privacy and soften the hardscapes.

The swim-up bar is an entertaining focal point with sink, undercounter fridges, cabinets and a 15” bar counter where guests can gather in or out of the water. The large screen TV adds interest whether for watching sports or setting the mood across a range of media options.

This backyard is rich with optional gathering places. The natural gas firepit is a powerful draw, often with a conversation circle that extends beyond the five Muskoka chairs. Fortunately, the adjoining garden retaining wall happens to be at a perfect height for extra seating.

Quietly tucked in the back corner of this busy family yard is a 4-post charcoal-stained cedar roof structure which the lady of the house calls her reading lounge. The soothing sounds of the adjacent sheer descent waterfall help to muffle the ambient neighbourhood noise.

After dark the yard springs to life warmly lit by the array of garden lights around the perimeter plus the lights from the cabana and pool. The pool and spa’s colour changing lighting system can be set to a single colour or changing rainbow of colours.

After dark the ambient light from the home’s soffit fixtures help to illuminate the backyard. The pool’s four LED lights are positioned to evenly spread the light throughout the pool, and for added drama, the programmable lighting system can be set to a single colour or a rotating rainbow of colours.

This family with Italian roots loves cooking, so they asked Betz to do a backyard makeover for family fun and entertaining. The kids love the stone slab steps leading up to the deep end feature wall, which serves as a diving ledge.

For this backyard makeover it made sense to create separate outdoor rooms on three levels. The top level off the kitchen walkout is an Ipe deck with breakfast table and glass railings. Four steps down is a spacious terrace for outdoor dining, then three more steps to the lounge area and pool deck. Next photo is same pool. (15 x 29, rectangular)

This cool shaded corner is the perfect place to escape the sun on hot summer days. It also serves as the ideal vantage point to keep an eye on youthful activities throughout the backyard, especially the little ones whose pool adventures are restricted to the shallow end.

The focal point of the yard is the 15’ x 40’ custom Gunite pool with full length raised stone feature wall. The modern pool furniture punctuates the premium composite plank deck which overhangs the pool like a rustic wood dock.

After sundown the whole backyard comes to life with the lights on the home, the array of garden lights and the five LED pool lights casting a warm glow. The pool’s colour changing lighting system can be set to a single colour or rotating rainbow of colours.

The dramatic focal point of the yard at night is the raised Wiarton ledgerock clad feature wall with a custom 6’ sheer descent waterfall. It is flanked by two Grand Effects Corinthian fire and water bowls. The flickering flames emanate from beds of blue glass beads.

This overhead view shows how no feature has been overlooked in this backyard which is truly special. It also shows how the colour variations in the Bronte Halton flagstone are more noticable in lower light and take on a softer contrast in brighter light. They add lively visual interest and avoid the concrete slab look.

As you can see, the backyard is totally low maintenance with leaf-blower-friendly hard surfaces and easy-care trees and flowering shrubs. The pool equipment is easily accessible but out of view on a concrete pad along one side of the house.

The focal point of the pool is undoubtedly the 6’ sheer descent waterfall which is elevated on a pillared stone wall clad in Wiarton Eramosa ledgerock. It adds a dramatic touch and the gentle sound of falling water provides a calming effect, while helping to muffle ambient neighbourhood noise.

This semi-retired couple in Richmond Hill asked Betz to create a premium lifestyle backyard for family recreation and entertaining. They wanted their sloping yard to have a wow factor, so using classic terracing a 16’ x 36’ Gunite pool was installed with a 21” high exposed glass end wall flanked by elegant fire bowls.