For a Beavercreek family, a simple need for more convenient storage for pool items led to completely revamping their backyard space. Thanks to a new landscape and design plan, what was once a nice but ordinary yard with a refreshing swimming pool is now a spectacular, multi-tiered verdant retreat with inviting areas to gather, play, relax and dine.
Individual “outdoor rooms” flow into one another, allowing the family and their guests to relax by an outdoor fireplace while watching the game on a flat-screen television; sit in plush loungers positioned for keeping an eye on kids in the pool, or dine al fresco around a magnificent table that seats 10.
The outdoor space also has a fire pit, play area and beautiful landscaping on every tier. But the diva of the show is what the family calls “the pool house” even though it has—in addition to needed pool storage—a full gourmet kitchen, living area, bathroom and laundry room.
“We decided if we were going to make one change, let’s redo the entire space and include all the ideas we wanted,” the homeowner says. “When you move in, you don’t really know how you’ll use the spaces until you live there.”
Grading changed the terrain of the yard to create the multi-tiered look. Boulder steps now lead from the main floor of the house to the backyard splendor.
Or, if you leave from the lower level, you’ll encounter the new patio area, with spaces for relaxing and dining around the stone fireplace with its flat-screen television.
Here you see the first of Sullivan’s recommended outdoor furniture from Restoration Hardware. “This company is doing upscale outdoor furniture better than anyone,” says Sullivan, who offers this tip for selecting outdoor pieces: don’t be afraid of going larger.
The pool itself remained the same. Built by Knickerbocker Pools & Spas, it was the one entity in the back yard that the homeowners have loved from the very beginning. In order to create room for the pool house and surrounding living spaces, the homeowners opted to remove trees behind the pool area. In effect, it looks like the woods were just “pushed back” to accommodate the new building.
The homeowners hired architect Brian Weaver of ALT Architecture to design the pool house. “The pool house is a nice little brother to the big house, not a miniature replica,” Weaver says. “The goal in designing a new building on a property is the same as with an addition: the new structure should look as if it has been there from the start.”
Materials and architectural details seen on the residence were used on the pool house, which is slightly elevated from the rest of the yard and angled to complement the main house. Weaver says that early on in the project, everyone agreed a cottage look would work well for the pool house, which coordinated with the homeowners’ wish that the structure have a “real front door.”
Since outdoor entertaining was important, two walls of the kitchen have custom French doors that open wide to the round paver patio at the front of the pool house and to the outdoor dining room at the side.
This lovely dining space includes a travertine floor, a surrounding stone wall (the right height for sitting), a rustic dining table with 10 ultra comfy rattan chairs, a pizza oven and a grill. No one remembers whose idea it was to top the area with a pergola but the effect is spot-on.
Throughout the pool house and surrounding areas are distinctive decorating appointments. For instance, Sullivan suggested gas torches for certain light fixtures around the patio.
Another highlight is the “leathered” granite countertop on the kitchen island.
The finish is created by dragging diamond-tipped brushes across the granite surface, which remarkably results in the feel of textured leather.
From the main house to the tree line, the landscape and design of this outdoor space is just right for this Beavercreek family, which includes two daughters, ages 12 and 10. “We use this space three seasons a year,” the homeowner says. “Even when the pool is closed, we enjoy the relaxing and entertaining areas, including the fire pit. Our back yard is just what we wanted.”