This Medfield home presented a unique challenge due to its location on a steep slope, which rendered much of the backyard space unusable. The homeowners, a young family with a desire to create a functional and inviting outdoor area, envisioned installing a large pool for their children and for entertaining friends and family.
Challenge: Slope and Usability
The primary obstacle was overcoming the steep slope while maintaining both functionality and aesthetic appeal. The design process required a thoughtful approach, ensuring that the natural contours of the yard were used to their advantage. To address this, a tiered layout was developed to break the slope into manageable, leveled sections. This method not only mitigated the drastic elevation changes but also created ample room for the various amenities desired by the homeowners.
Solution: Tiered Retaining Walls
To execute this vision, tiered retaining walls were incorporated into the design. These walls served multiple purposes: they helped manage the slope, provided essential structural support, and allowed for a seamless transition between different levels. The retaining walls also created distinct, usable zones within the yard, with walkways connecting the upper sections of the property to the new pool area. The result was a graceful flow between the main points of access, enhancing both functionality and the visual appeal of the space.
Central Feature: The Pool
The centerpiece of the design was the in-ground gunite pool, strategically positioned on the middle tier. This placement offered several advantages, including enhanced privacy by better screening the pool from the road and aligning it with the deck steps for easy access. The pool was surrounded by a generous patio, providing ample space for lounging, sunbathing, and entertaining guests.
Seamless Integration: Connecting the New and Existing Patios
One of the design highlights was the seamless connection between the newly added pool patio area and the existing patio adjacent to the home. The existing patio, which previously felt disconnected from the steep backyard, was now integrated into the overall design. The new tiered layout allowed for a natural transition from the home’s existing patio down to the new pool area. A series of wide, welcoming steps and a beautifully paved walkway linked the two spaces, encouraging flow and movement between them.
This connection not only maximized the usability of the entire backyard but also allowed the homeowners to enjoy a cohesive outdoor experience. The two patios could now be used together for larger gatherings or separately for more intimate settings. The combined patio spaces also provided multiple vantage points to enjoy the landscape, whether lounging by the pool or dining near the house.
Abundant Plantings for Beauty and Privacy
To soften the hardscapes and add lush beauty to the design, a variety of carefully selected plantings were incorporated throughout the space. Hydrangeas, with their vibrant and voluminous blooms, were chosen to bring bursts of color to the landscape, particularly around the pool area and along the retaining walls. Ornamental grasses added texture and movement, their swaying plumes providing a graceful contrast to the structured elements of the design. Summer sweet (Clethra alnifolia) was also included for its fragrant, bee-friendly blooms that thrive in the New England climate.
In addition to these ornamental plants, a row of evergreens was strategically placed along the perimeter of the pool area, providing natural privacy from the nearby road. These evergreens acted as a living screen, ensuring that the pool remained a secluded oasis while also contributing to the year-round greenery and beauty of the yard. The combination of these plantings not only enhanced the visual appeal but also created a sense of enclosure and tranquility within the outdoor space.
Enhanced Ambiance with Path Lighting and Tree Uplighting
To further elevate the design and ensure the backyard could be enjoyed day and night, outdoor lighting was incorporated throughout the space. Path lighting was added along the walkways leading from the existing patio to the pool, as well as around the pool area itself. These subtle, low-voltage lights not only provided safe passage after dark but also added a warm, welcoming glow to the entire yard, enhancing the ambiance for evening gatherings and nighttime swims.
In addition to the path lighting, bullet uplighting was strategically placed to illuminate the property’s most prominent trees. These lights cast dramatic upward beams, highlighting the trees’ textures and shapes while adding depth and dimension to the nightscape. The combination of soft path lighting and the more focused uplighting created a balanced, layered lighting design that not only improved safety but also accentuated the beauty of the landscape after sunset.
Supporting Features
In addition to the pool, plantings, and lighting, several complementary elements were carefully integrated into the overall layout. A pool house was constructed for convenient storage of equipment and accessories, while the tiered walkways allowed for easy movement between the different levels of the yard. Safety was prioritized with the inclusion of a well-placed fence, designed to follow the contours of the terraced yard without compromising the open and inviting feel of the space.
Final Result: A Functional and Beautiful Outdoor Oasis
Through careful planning and a tiered design approach, the previously unusable backyard was transformed into a functional and beautiful outdoor oasis. The design successfully addressed the challenges posed by the steep slope while creating a family-friendly space that met the homeowners’ vision for both recreation and entertainment. The seamless integration of the new pool patio with the existing patio, along with the use of abundant plantings and outdoor lighting, further enhanced the usability, safety, and beauty of the space—making it a versatile and stunning area to enjoy both day and night.
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