The owners of this Minnesota home wanted their steep backyard to have a private, functional and low-maintenance design. Here, the swimming pool is bordered by a small deck seating area and a peaceful pond.

These clients desired a more beautiful, functional and low maintenance space for the steep yard between their contemporary, urban home and the creek below that would work for entertaining beyond Minnesota’s short pool season. The couple envisioned a contemporary, less curvilinear, more private poolscape that would suit the house and include a water feature and more modern fire pit. Plantings were to be minimal, except for colorful annuals.

The deck alongside the pool ends in a serene fountain. Three spouts empty into a small pond. Cedar planks make an eye-catching background.

This deck has a fire pit and the pleasant backdrop sound of a fountain, making outdoor entertaining possible many days (and nights) a year.