Entertaining Complete Backyard
Calm & Contemporary
A sprawling property calmed into zones: curved pool deck, pergola lounge, sport-court edges and a paver driveway that ties the whole approach together.
How this project came together
The challenge
A large open back yard with a pool at one end and a sports court at the other. Most of the rest was dirt, minimal planting, a few trees at the edges. Two substantial features to work around, and everything in between to make sense of.
The design decision
First sketches mixed natural texture with modern hardscape and open play space: the pool reworked with a new baja shelf, Trex decking added, paths winding through artificial turf. Native planting around the perimeter softened the boundary and made the yard easier to cross.
The build
The redesigned pool with its baja shelf, the Trex decking, a fire-pit seating area and the paver walkways were finalized next, with lighting to make the yard usable after dark. We ran material samples for the paver steps, the gravel, the turf and the remaining finishes.
The Design Process
From survey to buildable plan
Every project is measured, drawn, and approved before a shovel goes in the ground. These are the actual drawings for this property.
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100%Base Plan
The base plan detailed the home’s layout, a large open backyard, existing pool, and sports court. Much of the surrounding space was filled with dirt and minimal landscaping, with a few scattered trees along the edges. This provided the design team with a clear foundation to reimagine the space while working around key existing features.
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100%Design Proposals
The initial sketches laid out a new vision for the yard that blended natural textures with modern hardscape and open play areas. Concepts included reworking the pool with a new Baja shelf, adding trex decking, and designing winding pathways through artificial turf zones. Native plantings were added around the perimeter to soften the space and enhance flow. These early ideas helped shape a design that balanced structure and functionality across the expansive yard.
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100%Conceptual Plan
The conceptual plan finalized the layout of the redesigned pool with a Baja shelf, new trex decking, firepit seating area, and paver walkways. Lighting placements were added to highlight key features and improve nighttime usability. The design also included material samples for paver steps, gravel, turf, and other finishes.
Before We Built It
The space, rendered in 3D
Homeowners approve a photorealistic model of their own property before construction starts, so what gets built is what they signed off on.
Before & After
The property as we found it
Drag the handle to see the same view before construction began.
Before After
Finished Project
Calm & Contemporary in detail
10 photographs of the completed project.
Walkthrough
Calm & Contemporary on film
Planning something like this?
We build Complete Landscape Design, Pools & Spas and Driveways & Pavers across Southern California
Design, permits, materials, and construction are handled by one in-house team. A designer will walk your property, talk through what's realistic on your lot, and show you what the space can become.
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