By Jason Cramp
In designing and building this private retreat, Refined Pools & Landscaping, in Burlington, Ont., transformed this homeowner’s seldom used backyard into a custom outdoor oasis perfect for fun and entertaining.
To fulfil the homeowner’s desire to create a Zen-like atmosphere, various aquatic and stone features were incorporated into the design. The main aquatic feature is an 8.5- x 4.2-m (28- x 14-ft) Roman-shaped swimming pool, which includes an attached spillover fibreglass spa that is raised above the pool deck. The pool is flanked by stone walls, colourful gardens, and lush ornamental grasses.
Opposite the spillover spa is a complementing two-tiered half wall, finished in charcoal-grey manufactured stone, with a contrasting flagstone coping. The wall, which spans the entire pool length, includes two cascading water features. A similar stone partition was also constructed along the pool’s rear horizontal wall, providing balance in the design as well as softening the stark look of the wooden fence, which separates the homeowner’s property from the neighbouring yards.
In the far corner, where the two walls meet, an additional three-tier water feature was installed using large flagstone slabs. Here, multiple spillways of water trickle down each rocky layer into the pool below. This feature increases the calming effect of the backyard and heightens the homeowners’ sensory appeal with the sound of water.
The surrounding pool deck and steps comprise natural flagstone, with one end of the backyard built lower—similar to a sunken living room—to provide a lounge are for poolside relaxation and entertaining.
