Flagstone deck
Staying true to the design’s earthy hues, the pool deck is comprised of flagstone, which was selected to mimic the look of a natural pond. The material was installed around the entire pool and incorporates an in-deck solar cover.
A brick border, used as an accent piece throughout the project, separates the pool deck from the adjacent outdoor living space. This area features a fireplace and seating area, and is finished with interlocking concrete pavers (ICPs), which are used to create the large patio and multiple pathways on the property.
Natural outdoor living
To achieve a cottage-style entertainment area, the outdoor living space was constructed using plenty of timber and stone. Specific amenities include a fireplace, seating area, bar, enclosed kitchen, and an outdoor shower space. The entire structure was built with natural wood to give it a rustic appearance.
Mood lighting
As with most modern landscaping projects, the elements of the installation were designed to be as visible at night as they are during the day. The client wanted the space to appear as natural as possible, with the features illuminated as if the moon were shining brightly at night.
When designing the lighting system, Bellaire opted for a comprehensive light-emitting diode (LED) system. The waterfall is illuminated from underneath, while additional spotlights draw attention to the trees behind the water feature. Meanwhile, the outdoor living space includes illuminated pavers beneath the structure’s columns, which give the entire area a warm, amber glow.
Unexpected challenge
While this renovation project mostly went as planned, Bellaire and his team were faced with an unforeseen difficulty when they encountered a significant grade change. This roadblock resulted in added time and expense to the project.
To overcome this challenge, Bellaire had to build a large concrete retaining wall on the east side of the property, which was then concealed with vegetation.
Conclusion
Integrating cast-concrete rocks with natural stone is an innovative and eye-catching strategy to create backyard designs that mimic the beauty of nature. In this respect, this project is a stunning achievement that evolved from the waterfall and stones that established the yard’s central focal point.
Bruce Riley is the managing director of RicoRock Inc., makers of cast-concrete rock, including component systems for building caves/grottos, waterfalls, and waterslide products for use in pool applications. Riley focuses on developing new products and managing commercial installations. He built rock-type pools in southern California for more than 25 years and now uses this experience to design standard waterfall kits for the company. He can be reached via e-mail at bruce@ricorock.com.
