This project transformed a backyard into a premium, four-season outdoor retreat designed for high-end entertainment and ultimate relaxation around a stunning new pool patio. The expansive poolside layout serves as the centerpiece of the yard, offering the perfect space for summer hosting alongside a dedicated zone prepped for a future outdoor shower. To create a true year-round experience, we integrated a custom hot tub area built to embrace New England winters, while utilizing subtle, sustainable drainage solutions throughout the property to seamlessly protect the beautiful new hardscape.
This backyard renovation was designed to be the ultimate luxury retreat, seamlessly blending beauty with day-to-day functionality for the client. The heart of the transformation is the expansive new pool patio, built specifically to elevate both high-energy entertainment and quiet, personal relaxation. The crisp, light-grey pavers with dark bordering create a clean, resort-like aesthetic that beautifully contrasts with the home’s architecture. Every square foot of this hardscape was intentionally planned to maximize the outdoor living experience, giving the homeowners a stunning, highly usable oasis that effortlessly transitions from lively afternoon pool parties to peaceful, sun-drenched mornings by the water.
The smart layout offers generous space to comfortably navigate all sides of the deep blue pool, creating distinct zones for every type of outdoor vibe. You can catch some sun on the lounge chairs, unwind right in the water on the dedicated shallow sun shelf, or gather around the curved sectional fire pit zone for cozy evening conversations under the stars. By balancing these open hosting spaces with intimate relaxation spots, the entire yard feels like a private, upscale resort tailored to the client’s everyday lifestyle.
Instead of installing a traditional retaining wall, our team opted for a more natural approach by creating a living wall using Grey Owl junipers and fresh woodchips to stabilize and preserve the backyard hillside. This eco-friendly solution manages water runoff beautifully, as the root systems of these plants will grow and strengthen over time, naturally binding the soil and absorbing excess water. On top of the hill, we enhanced the area around the client’s newly installed flagpole with vibrant plantings that provide a welcoming pop of color against the landscape. To address a slight slope on the side of the pool patio that currently grows grass, we installed a strategic rip-rap area that channels water away and prevents it from pooling into a puddle. This combination of living roots, rip-rap stone, and natural materials ensures the entire hillside remains secure, functional, and visually striking.
Take a tour of this incredible transformation with our Landscape Construction Manager, Jeremy, as he walks you through the design process and shares some exclusive behind-the-scenes insights from the build. In this short video, Jeremy highlights how the team brought the stunning new pool patio to life, from the spacious layout to the winter-ready features. It is a quick watch and definitely worth your time if you are looking for some serious design inspiration for your own upcoming backyard project!
Looking ahead, the next step for this project is installing a custom stone cap around the hot tub area that perfectly matches the dark border surrounding the main pool patio, creating a completely seamless and polished transition between the two spaces. This coping will not only tie the aesthetics together beautifully, but it will also be durable enough to serve as comfortable, sturdy ledge seating for guests enjoying the spa. Additionally, the groundwork has been fully laid for the client’s future outdoor shower, with a dedicated, sustainable drainage system already integrated and ready for the final hookup. Finally, fresh grass seed has been spread across all the surrounding areas, which will soon fill out the remaining landscape with a lush, green lawn to perfectly frame this newly completed backyard paradise.
