Zero edge spa with trough around 3-sides of spa. Bobe water and fire bowls. Duralume pergola. Masonry block fireplace with ledger stone, concrete caps and glass media.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary full sun front yard brick garden path in Detroit.

A complete metamorphosis was needed to bring out the buried treasure hidden beneath this yard, and a family of five rattlesnakes had to find a new home! Here’s the short list of the awkward elements that had to be remedied: First, the neighbors’ living room window peered perpetually (like, all the time) and directly into the yard with no privacy whatsoever. None. Second, the vast deep end swallowed up the patio and provided no place for furniture, or walking. Only tripping and treading water was allowed. Third, the sunken lawn must have been an arena of some sort! Intentionally excavated from natural grade a full -42″ from the patio, for no good reason. Fourth, the not-worth-a-visit ramada was the focal point for the entire yard. See it up close! It’s gone. Fifth, the spa was shoved against the farthest wall and provided no invitation. It was so bad, it never had a photo taken! See the statue peeing between the two short columns? It’s over there. Peeing in the corner as all little boys are want to do. Sixth, the bbq and fire place were non-functional and equally uninviting, and here’s a better view of just how crowded the furniture is. Don’t fall in! Last, we will not mention the boulder pile droppings distributed around the yard. Oops! Sorry. The first order of business was to spend several weeks tearing out everything but the pool shell. Then another few weeks were spent wheelbarrowing in a few hundred yards of top soil (there was no access) to fill the matador pit flush to a more relatable -18″. The large gaping trough was then discretely hidden with large removable stones, so it was out of sight but still serviceable. Second, the neighbor was screened instantly with a row of mature Texas Ebony trees in a raised planter, that also housed a sculptural ironwood tree as the focal point of the property, soon to be reflected in the pool’s richer Midnight Blue pebble tec finish. A hundred or so yards of shotcrete filled not only the reclaimed deep end, but also created a sun shelf and spa ledge, now the focal jewel in the foreground as a 360 overflow vanishing edge spa clad in Pewter glass tile from Oceanside Glass, and viewed from all the interior living spaces. The BBQ was tucked around the corner out of sight but still easy access. The fireplace for two gave way to a large inviting built in banco, with a splashes of colorful fabrics to draw one out. The fire pit serves about 10 people easily, for hours at a time. Last but not least, the foreground of the pool became a sweeping entry shelf extending the full length of the pool, bedecked with fiberoptic starlights and six glowing bubblers set low, to just barely break the surface of the water, giving a lovely and tranquil sound while sleeping away with all retractable doors wide open. Simple. Serene. Self-evident. That is the remedy. If your project needs a similar touch, more or less, drop me a line and we’ll figure out a plan.

This simple rustic fountain creates a soft soothing sound across the upper patio area. Photo by: Linda Oyama Bryan
Patio - traditional patio idea in Chicago

This swimming pool and raised spa with tile overflow features a large shallow Baja shelf, lighted water features, Belgard Lafitt Rustic Slab concrete pavers, travertine coping, a fire trough, and a nearby outdoor covered kitchen and putting green. - See more at: http://greenscenelandscape.com/borenstein.html#sthash.ohFZu6oh.dpuf

Stepping through the French doors of the loft balcony, one gains the view and the revelation of the cottage-style garden and its Stissing Mountain backdrop beyond. As a continuum - a newly designed bluestone terrace, with its rustic stone fountain and pebble spillway, is crafted as the garden extended “living room”; where one can take in the breathtaking scenery. Continuing out from the garden, a mix of wood chips and stones form the intended serpentine paths that wind through the fields and woodlands and link to other parts of the property, maximizing the enjoyment of the 30 acres and the providing a reconnection to nature. Sloan Architects, P.C.

Inspiration for a southwestern home design remodel in Austin

Southwest home design photo in Austin

Southwest home design photo in Austin

Joshua Do
Example of a trendy patio design in San Francisco

Neolithic Materials specializes in rare reclaimed and newly quarried limestone architectural elements sourced from across the Mediterranean. Our Southern California collection includes fireplaces, fountains, flooring, pavers, sinks, tubs, benches, antique tiles, wall cladding, and custom-made stone pieces. For inquiries, contact us at (310) 289-0414 or info@neolithicmaterials.com

Techo-Bloc Graphics wall with copper scuppers. The trough is filled with Mexican black beach pebbles and also acts as a french drain underneath~Renee Carman

Powder Room Concrete Water Feature Sink
Inspiration for a modern bathroom remodel in Phoenix

Home design - southwestern home design idea in Austin

Neolithic Materials specializes in rare reclaimed and newly quarried limestone architectural elements sourced from across the Mediterranean. Our Southern California collection includes fireplaces, fountains, flooring, pavers, sinks, tubs, benches, antique tiles, wall cladding, and custom-made stone pieces. For inquiries, contact us at (310) 289-0414 or info@neolithicmaterials.com

The pool is the epitome of simplicity with the walls on the spa and ravine sides acting as perimeter overflow surfaces for smooth sheets of water falling into troughs and recirculating back to the spa and pool. The sound of falling water is soothing while the zero edge profiles create the effect of an infinity horizon.

This water feature is beautifully highlighted by the pool’s elevated curving ledgerock wall. The wall is at the perfect height for the three 36” sheer descent waterfalls and helps to reconcile the levels of the gently sloping lot. Another highlight is the elevated circular spa, which features a notched trough with spill wall that serves as an additional water feature.

The pool’s negative edge is accomplished with a small tempered glass wall running the full width. When the spa is not in use, water continuously pumps into it from the pool, where it sleekly spills over like a wall of glass on all fours sides. The water then flows from the pool over the spill wall and collects in a trough below before being recirculated.

A unique feature of the spa is the row of capped stepping-stones that appear to float out of the water. The three vertical troughs on the spa wall are channels where water recirculates from the spa back into the pool. The spa has special insulated plumbing and a winter cover which enables it to be used year-round.