Just outside Seattle, a family of five kids grew up with a backyard that had all the hallmarks of life in the suburbs, including a pool, play structure, lawn, and sports court.
Photography by Tim Bies, courtesy of Collaborative Companies.
In the year after its completion, the homeowners hosted seven large parties, including five outdoor weddings for family and friends.
Collaborative Companies replaced an aging pool with one that is more central to the property; it’s lap-length, for exercise, and bordered in dark blue mosaic tile.
A media room is attached to the house but functions as an indoor-outdoor space during parties on the patio.
An ipe wood structure next to the pool provides shade on hot summer days and keeps the pool utilities hidden.
To the left of the media room is a detached pool house with a bathroom, storage space for pool equipment, an outdoor shower, and partially enclosed garden storage on the back side.
Concrete planters designed and planted by Seattle’s Garden + Soul Therapy frame a sliding glass door on one side of the media room.
The homeowners wanted a vegetable garden made of corrugated steel beds, so the design team framed them in ipe wood to match the media room and outbuildings.
Pivot doors off the house encourage an indoor-outdoor flow. : If you’re dreaming of designing your own swimming pool, get inspiration and tips from our design guide, Swimming Pools 101 and planting tips from Landscape Ideas: Garden Design for a Swimming Pool Area.