Years ago, Exterior Worlds was contacted by a couple by the names of Rick and Susan Ashcroft. They asked if we could do something about the lagoon-style swimming pool that had been built behind their house in the late1940s. This style had been very popular at that time, and it is still a favored by some of the world’s more lavish resorts. However, ever since the day they had purchased their home, the Ashcroft’s had always been agitated by the ostentatiousness of the whole thing, and had finally decided to have it redesigned as a natural swimming pool. They wanted their back yard to retain the feeling of a tropical locale, but lose the touristic element in favor of that of a cozier, more private corner of paradise. We agreed with their sentiments wholeheartedly. Just a cursory glance at the property confirmed that a natural swimming pool design was a much better fit for the grade of the landscape and the surrounding opportunities for vegetation and lighting. The Ashcroft residence was located on the side of a hill that sloped down toward a ravine, and the house itself house was built 40 feet back from the road. The steep grade of the land posed construction challenges to any type of water feature, but there was a way to build a natural swimming pool here that would achieve the aesthetic the Ashcroft’s were seeking and create a lasting element that required only limited and very intermittent periods of maintenance. We began by stripping the pool down to its shell and building a retaining wall that offset the grade of the land. We shaped the surrounding earth around it into a much deeper basin that would allow water to collect naturally like it does at the base of a cliff. A series of interlocking pavers was laid around the perimeter to create a flat surface that extended from the back of the home to the retaining wall. This is a standard aesthetic used in most natural swimming pools, but it also served a special, practical purpose in this instance. Since this area was subject to heavy land erosion from runoff rainwater, pavers provided a very efficient way of reconstructing key elements of the structure every 5-10 years. The natural swimming pool now appeared as an inviting portal into a remote hill country getaway, just a stone’s throw away from the back of the house. We made it easier to reach by building two series of stone steps that led down to either side of the water’s edge. We were careful to avoid making them look too much like stairs. Instead, we designed them to closely mimic the layers of rock that often jut from the sides of mountains and dormant volcanoes on islands all over the Pacific. To further develop this theme, we placed a large flat stone to serve as a diving area, and we created a waterfall on either side of it by laying down stones in a manner that created varying speeds of water. Our construction methods here were very unique in comparison to those of our competitors. We took almost a month to consciously and deliberately lay each stone by hand. While this may seem painstakingly detailed to some, the rewards were astonishing, because our natural swimming pool mimicked Nature in such a way that it lacked almost all evidence of human engineering, and looked virtually identical to something you would stumble upon in the jungle of a tropical paradise. If you are interested in any high-quality landscape services, Exterior Worlds has been providing the high-end residential landscape services and garden design services discussed above for the Houston and the surrounding areas including memorial villages (Piney Point Village, Bunker Hill Village, Hunter Creek Village), Tanglewood, River Oaks, West University and the greater Houston (Hou), area since 1987. Contact us at 713-827-2255 For more the 20 years Exterior Worlds has specialized in servicing many of Houston's fine neighborhoods.

ヒューストンにある高級な巨大なエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれなプール (噴水、タイル敷き) の写真

Our client constructed their new home on five wooded acres in Northern Virginia, and they requested our firm to help them design the ultimate backyard retreat complete with custom natural look pool as the main focal point. The pool was designed into an existing hillside, adding natural boulders and multiple waterfalls, raised spa. Next to the spa is a raised natural wood burning fire pit for those cool evenings or just a fun place for the kids to roast marshmallows. The extensive Techo-bloc Inca paver pool deck, a large custom pool house complete with bar, kitchen/grill area, lounge area with 60" flat screen TV, full audio throughout the pool house & pool area with a full bath to complete the pool area. For the back of the house, we included a custom composite waterproof deck with lounge area below, recessed lighting, ceiling fans & small outdoor grille area make this space a great place to hangout. For the man of the house, an avid golfer, a large Southwest synthetic putting green (2000 s.f.) with bunker and tee boxes keeps him on top of his game. A kids playhouse, connecting flagstone walks throughout, extensive non-deer appealing landscaping, outdoor lighting, and full irrigation fulfilled all of the client's design parameters.

ニューヨークにある高級な中くらいなエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれなプール (噴水、天然石敷き) の写真

New Blue Stone terrace and small pool area with 2 cascading water features along with full landscape
ニューヨークにある高級な小さなエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれなプール (噴水、天然石敷き) の写真

Designed with a generous walk-in transition and low waterfall feature, the pool can be enjoyed by small waders and non-swimmers, in addition to the traditional pool dwellers. HCH

We designed this custom fountain using basalt stone and porcelain tile. The water spouts are copper. The custom kitchen includes a full sink, BBQ, in counter drink cooler and under counter ice maker and refrigerator. The overall space is compact, but this custom bar works perfectly in the space without taking up too much room. Eclectic patio with pergola cover. The clients wanted a comfortable space to entertain outdoors. They wanted color and texture. I think the orange and browns in the fabrics are wonderful compliment to the custom retaining wall and fountain with gold slate stone.

ニューヨークにある高級な巨大なエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれなプール (噴水、天然石敷き) の写真

Pool area
オースティンにある高級な中くらいなエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれなプール (噴水、天然石敷き) の写真

ヒューストンにある高級な巨大なエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれなプール (噴水、タイル敷き) の写真

Newton Landscape Group
ニューオリンズにある高級な中くらいなエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれなプール (噴水、天然石敷き) の写真

Custom negative edge swimming pool with raised spa and glass fire bowls. The hardscape features custom flagstone deck and coping.
サンフランシスコにある高級な中くらいなエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれなプール (噴水、デッキ材舗装) の写真

オレンジカウンティにある高級な中くらいなエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれな裏庭プール (噴水、タイル敷き) の写真

This custom designed swimming pool in Waco, TX by One Specialty includes many luxurious features. A stone waterfall, flagstone deck, deck jets and negative edge spillover add to the overall beauty of the pool. With the negative or ‘vanishing’ edge facing the scenic woods, family and friends are provided a beautiful and serene backdrop to enjoy. The swimming pool, patio, dry creek bed, rustic landscape water feature and eclectic outdoor living area complete the custom outdoor living design.

This Eclectic inspired home centers around the courtyard water feature. This feature was not designed to be subtle. Low profile focal points were required from views coming in all directions. The primary view from the entry provides a view down the center of Cannon jets and fire bowls over the vanishing edge. The reflective vanishing edge spa and led lights added to the visual accents. Floating steps connect the pool deck to the spa as well as floating pads cross the infinity two tiered basin. This allows minimal steps from cabana to porch terraces. The lower terrace captures the view as the water cascades down the copper spill edges. Pool barstools provide additional seating in the water adjacent to the cabana. Access was so difficult the pool shell was completed before the house foundation was started, The home changed owners at the framing stage and the selling point of this home was the courtyard water feature. Project designed by Mike Farley. Check out Mike's Reference Site at FarleyPoolDesigns.com

New Blue Stone terrace and small pool area with 2 cascading water features along with full landscape
ニューヨークにある高級な小さなエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれなプール (噴水、天然石敷き) の写真

Robert Kniffin
ニューヨークにある高級な中くらいなエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれな屋内プール (噴水、タイル敷き) の写真

The custom kitchen includes a full sink, BBQ, in counter drink cooler and under counter ice maker and refrigerator. The overall space is compact, but this custom bar works perfectly in the space without taking up too much room. Eclectic patio with pergola cover. The clients wanted a comfortable space to entertain outdoors. They wanted color and texture. I think the orange and browns in the fabrics are wonderful compliment to the custom retaining wall and fountain with gold slate stone.

サンタバーバラにある高級な中くらいなエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれなプール (コンクリート敷き 、噴水) の写真