The pool’s feature focus, a retaining ledge-rock wall in the deep-end houses three sheer descents: two 0.6-m (2-ft) sheers, and one 0.9-m (3-ft) sheer.
The raised spa, which has spa-side automation, completes the water feature filled project as it, too, spills into the pool.
Additional features
Four lights were added, two in the pool, one in the bubbler, and one in the spa. The distribution of the lights accentuates all the angles and water flow, further enhancing the area.
The system is run using two variable-speed pumps (VSPs), a cartridge filter, a 300,000 British thermal unit (BTU) heater, and an automation system which controls the pool, water features, and lighting.
Landscaping material was chosen to complement the exterior stone of the home and blend in with the palette the surrounding nature provided. The colours used are slate grey, with the pavers being beige, and the ledge rock being brown.
To soften the modern edges and blend in with the surroundings, freeform gardens encircle the hardscaping. Boxwood and hydrangea will grow to fill in these shapely gardens. In addition, sod was laid to quickly transform this space into a completed oasis.
Landscape lighting also dramatically enhances this space after dark. Ground lighting in front and behind the trees illuminate the leaves, while an upper light casts downward in the front, almost giving a 3D effect. Garden lighting accentuates the softscaping and marks the pathways, accent lighting added to the feature wall and under steps emphasizes the stone; and landscape lighting combined with the pool lighting makes the space glow in the evening.
Pool Craft repurposed the original flagstone the homeowners loved, placing them away from the pool area, elevated slightly from the home, as a quaint little fire pit patio. The homeowners spend early evenings here, sharing a cocktail, unwinding, watching the sunsets, and overlooking their dream backyard.
In the end, the dramatic change right before installation gave these homeowners a whole new view. Some processes were duplicated, but the finished product is exactly what they wanted. The flexibility of Pool Craft’s team, especially in such a challenging year, amplifies their pride in this project.
Crafting a backyard escape
Author
With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Jason Mitchell is the president of Pool Craft, a full-service pool company that specializes in all aspects of pool planning, installation, and backyard design in Richmond Hill, Ontario. He is also the co-owner of Stone Craft Inc., a landscape company. Mitchell can be reached via email at jason@poolcraft.ca.
