Space was a bit of a premium in this yard, as the clients wanted a pool and spa, but needed to leave plenty of room for a lawn, trampoline and other items for their children. They also sought negative space just to foster an overall sense of calm.
“They wanted to find the best way to bring all elements they requested into their smaller space and find the right flow and balance,” says Moses Campos, a design consultant with Southernwind Pools in McKinney, Texas.
This waterscape — a style hybrid combining clean lines with curves and natural tones — was the answer.
The design centers on the firepit, sunken to make a bigger statement as well as to add elevation changes to the flat yard. Campos kept the basic design of the firepit simple, with the round fire element itself surrounded by a clean horseshoe-shaped seating area. He added more interest to the area by combining more materials than usual — in this case an assortment of natural-toned hues.
“She liked nature,” Campos says. “She wanted it to have less of a travertine feel and more [using] brown tones that were more like wood.”
A raised lounging deck to the side is finished with ipe, making it the only spot where the team felt comfortable using actual wood, since this area would remain dry.
The spa was placed for its view to the master bedroom. It is set off to the side at an angle, with three brass scuppers spilling into a channel leading to the pool. Stepping stones in the channel lead from the main deck to the ipe sundeck. Single, wider scuppers are set along the pool’s back wall. Three bubblers on the tanning ledge add yet more water movement.
A large-format porcelain tile with wood grain is used on the deck. Leuders Limestone coping was chosen for its combination of beige tones and clean lines.
