Before & After: Backyard Retreat

“From start to finish, Mom’s had our best interests at heart. Sometimes you don’t truly know what you want until someone shows it to you… Their design team took the time to get to know our family’s needs and desires, so we could truly make our house a home.”

These fun-loving clients had visited Hawaii often and dreamed of a buying a place there someday. But for now, they wanted a luxury pool-scape where they could entertain friends in Stillwater for three-seasons out of the year. With a nod to Las Vegas, their second favorite destination, the mantra was, “Go Big or Go Home!” It had to be unique and different. The designer responded with a sunken pool house with a swim up bar and premium landscaping, complete with an annual palm tree!

• The 850 square feet pool house is sunken 3 feet. It is just 2-1/2 feet from the water, creating a swim-up bar with cool sight lines.
• Rollac hurricane shutters and retractable shade/privacy screens keep the pool house secure in the winter and comfortable for the rest of the year.
• The pool house is conveniently equipped with a kitchen, bar, bathroom, outdoor TV and wood-burning fireplace.
• An outdoor shower keeps the pool house (and the pool) clean.
• A pool heater, outdoor fire pit and fireplace in the pool house helps to extend seasonal useage.
• The pool auto cover keeps the water warm, clean and secure when not in use. This particular township does not require a fence.
• Strip drains control runoff alongside the pool deck.

• A sunken pool house provides a unique, ground-level perspective on the pool and landscaped garden areas.
• The curved roof makes a huge architectural statement but draws the eye back to the landscape.
• The large, open-front gable lets users feel outdoors, even when the shutters are closed! Otherwise, three sides offer open views
• Palm trees are popular conversation pieces, they also lend to a more laid back atmosphere.
• The pool deck features a nice mix of bluestone and irregular savanna flagstone.
• These flowers and shrubs were chosen to add splashes of color all season long.
• Gardens blend with the natural landscape and soften the edges of the patio. The gardens feature Baptisia, Yarrow, Nepeta, Summer Wine Ninebark, Weeping Spruce, Hydrangeas and the signature palm tree.

• Engineering and building the curved pool house roof took extraordinary vision and care.
• The fit and finish of the pool house interior rivals that of a fine home.
• Each piece of paving and flooring were individually chosen to optimize color correctness to ensure harmony throughout the space.

• Motorized Rollac hurricane shutters secure the pavilion to withstand the elements.
• Retractable screens shield sun and wind creating a more enjoyable indoor environment.
• Curved steel I-beams were used to support the large, open, curved roof.
• Palm trees – We think of them as a big annual. You can either purchase a bunch of little annuals or get one large statement piece. It’s a conversation starter and the homeowners look forward to the new tree arriving each year.

What do you think of this beautiful space? Click below to schedule an appointment and let our award winning designers transform your outdoor living space!

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