An aging Santa Rosa backyard needed an update, as the large playhouse in the back had long been outgrown. The owners wanted to take advantage of the newly created space with a spacious pool and mortared flagstone patio. Taking advantage of a natural slope, the pool features a stone-clad raised bond beam with a naturalistic waterfall. A secondary flagstone patio was added away from the pool for people to gather around a custom outdoor fireplace and seat wall. The faded, faux stone veneer on all existing walls and outdoor kitchen was removed and replaced with true stone veneer to match the pool and fireplace.
Outside a master bedroom window, a small, bubbling water feature was added to provide calming sounds inside and out. Minus a few mature trees, all of the planting was renewed. As much of the entertaining was to take place in summer around the swimming pool, plants were selected to be in flower during the warm months, although Carpet Roses and Abutilon provide color long after the pool parties end. Both water features, along with the Cape Rush swaying in the wind add motion to the landscape.
