Bringing new sophistication to a basic backyard

by Sally Bouorm | June 1, 2010 8:42 am

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By Baldo and Santo Gucciardi

When the owners of a high-end home in Woodbridge, Ont., contacted International Landscaping about creating an outdoor family recreation and entertainment area in their backyard, few knew just how well the end result would turn out. When all was said and done, the client was left with an impressive space, perfect for even the largest backyard gatherings and events. International Landsdcaping handled the project design, construction, management and supervision, while Solda Pools took care of the pool and spa construction.

The focal point of the backyard is the concrete roman-style 6 x 12-m (20 x 40-ft) pool, which has a graduated depth of 1 to 2.4 m (3.5 to 8 ft). A radiused spa connects the upper lounging area to the pool with a polished black granite spill-over water element, which cascades to the pool level via a terrace canal. The yard also features an outdoor living space was created for entertaining, which includes a split-level dining and outdoor kitchen area and informal central fire table feature.

Grand inspiration

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The project was inspired by a wedding ceremony scheduled to take place once the project was completed. As such, the client wanted a very formal design from the outset. The original design challenge was to create a series of entertainment areas and outdoor living room levels for various functions such as dining, lounging and a bar area.

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At first, what became the spa area was intended to be a combination of a raised planter and water feature, which would include a colonnade that connected the pool space to the upper terraces. Instead, the client decided to add a uniquely shaped radiused spillover spa; instead of a colonnade feature, a spillover canal would connect the upper and lower levels of the space.

While the overall design changed many times, the roman pool shape was established early on as the focal point of the project. It was decided that the pool would be centered off of the foyer of the main house, which had a vista to the back of the property.

The work begins

First, privacy from neighbouring estate homes had to be afforded. This was accomplished with the installation of 16 spaded evergreen trees, each measuring anywhere from 22 to 25 ft) in height. These were placed along the client’s back property line, creating an instant natural backdrop for the work that would follow.

As the preferred pool contractor for the job and a regular collaborator, Solda was brought in shortly after the initial concept was designed. The two companies consulted and co-ordinate with each other on the project every step of the way. This co-ordination was necessary in order to bring a sense of unity to the backyard. For example, the main stone planter footings flanking the upper terrace had to tie together with the lower pool level. This was accomplished via the call spillover feature. International and Solda also consulted on lighting location, the shape and size of the pool and spa, hardware and plumbing, tile and marbelite colour choice and step locations, among other things.

Hard and soft

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A dry-set flamed granite, in a light gray infill with stunning black coping and banding, was selected for the patios, steps, bull-nosed pool coping and pool pier caps. The granite was chosen for its clean formal look and for its durability. A custom radiused black granite one-piece spillover stone segment was custom ordered for the centre piece of the spillover canal feature. Indiana limestone, a material used in the exteriors of famous buildings including the Empire State Building and new Yankee Stadium, was used as a coursing stone for all walls and planters.

The upper terrace was divided into the main outdoor kitchen/dining area, a sunken middle level for casual lounging, which includes an outdoor fire table overlooking the spa feature, and a third area comprising a small social space, complete with a pub and bistro table.

The planting scheme for the backyard was very formal, with traditional boxwood and yew plantings and flowering pear trees in the upper planters. Linden trees were chosen to flank all four corners of the pool, while pyramidal oak trees were planted in a formal line on each side of the pool. Multi-stem serviceberries, which were placed against the foundation of the house, were included to add a touch of colour, while a mix of white and pink hydrangeas were massed at the far end of the pool, providing sharp contrast in front of an evergreen backdrop. The yard also includes mixed perennials in a combination of white, purple and pink, along with a splash of yellow.

Results to be proud of

The project took approximately six months to complete from start to finish and involved extensive project management and site supervision by International Landscaping. Given the project’s scope, co-ordination was required with many trades, including stonemasons, carpenters, electrical and plumbing contractors, irrigation contractors and, of course, Solda Pools.

 

 Baldo and Santo Gucciardi are the principals of International Landscaping Inc.They can both be reached via the company’s website, at www.internationallandscaping.com[5].

 

 

 

 

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/bringing-new-sophistication-to-a-basic-backyard/

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