Magical Outdoor Retreat With Oval Pool

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Pool Terrace With Valley View

This beautiful pool uses bioremediation to keep the water clean. The interconnected system includes a series of cascading water features and a bog built into the terrace by the pool. The location was specifically chosen for its enchanting valley views.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Garden and Pool Terrace at Night

Stone walls were constructed around the swimming pool and terrace to look like time-worn ruins. There's a filtration bog that flows beside and beneath the pavers and into a native garden. The bog captures and cleans rainwater via bioremediation.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Limestone Pool and Patio

Reclaimed limestone makes up the terrace, pool coping, sun shelf and steps of this five-star pool and patio. Because of its reclaimed nature, each stone had to be cut to fit in its new environment. A poolhouse sits nearby, with an open wall for easy access.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Fountain and Bog in Pool Terrace

This yard's beautiful water feature is actually a biofiltration system: A waterfall empties into a small stone trough, that then spills over into a bog. The bog uses native aquatic plants and a graded stone filtration system to treat the water, then circulates it back around.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Infinity Pool Edge With Lights

Water tumbling over the edge of this infinity pool falls into a hidden catchment basin, and goes through a filtration system before being recirculated into the pool. At night, the cantilevered stone paving glows with magical light.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Limestone Hot Tub and Valley View

With sweeping valley views, this limestone-lined hot tub sits off the back of the poolhouse. All of the necessary pool and hot tub equipment is concealed in the basement, an arrangement that is visually appealing and reduces ambient noise.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Hot Tub and Poolhouse

In the creation of these outdoor spaces, the goal was for the structures to seem as if they might be fixed-up ruins. The poolhouse has limestone sills and window frames, refined points of strength, that transition to more rustic-looking stones.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Pool Terrace and House Exterior

Designers wanted the feel of this home's beautiful outdoor areas to be as though nature was reclaiming its space. Perennials pretty up the water features that connect the home and the nearby pool and patio. There are even garden pockets within the walls and terraces to reinforce the wild, rambling aesthetic.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Waterfall and Pond

Waterfalls, ponds and a trickling stream are home to aquatic life and eventually join up with a filtration bog down by the pool terrace.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Outdoor Kitchen and Pond

The boulders belonging to this pond were hand-picked to fit in beautifully with the rustic, time-worn mood of the nearby outdoor spaces.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Outdoor Fire Pit With Stone Walls

This amazing backyard is truly an escape into another time, like Provence centuries ago. Here, low, ruin-inspired walls enclose a small grassy seating arrangement, cozied up to a fire pit. The wall height and landscaping was planned low enough so as not to block any views.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Stone Slab Steps and Wall

The path from a grassy sitting area down to the pool terrace is a wonderful walk to take. Meandering stone steps (reclaimed stone slabs) are flanked by garden beds full of perennials. Designers placed larger stones at the wall's corners to mimic the look of an old-fashioned farmstead.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Rustic Timber Pergola and Covered Patio

Wisteria vines climb up and around the rustic timber pergola that shades this outdoor kitchen and dining area.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Mediterranean Covered Patio With Pendants

Moorish pendants drape down from reclaimed barn timbers for a hint of whimsy in this covered patio sitting area. The space looks out over the pool and lush valley.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Mediterranean Outdoor Sitting Area WIth Fireplace

This wonderful outdoor lounge also encompasses a covered kitchen and dining area. The fireplace is made almost entirely of reclaimed material, from the stonework to antique barn timbers and a repurposed fireplace surround.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Mediterranean Outdoor Kitchen With Limestone Sink

It's as though you've discovered a chef-grade outdoor kitchen inside an ages-old ruin. To achieve this enchanted effect, designers styled the rock walls with cut-out windows and not-quite finished tops. The limestone farmhouse sink is a salvaged piece and is surrounded by matching countertops. Appliances are gleaming stainless steel.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Stone Wall and Stepping Stone Walkway

Slab steps lead to a stepping stone walkway as you travel from the rear year down to the home's basement entry. The stone wall belongs to an outdoor kitchen. Designers placed large, vine-covered boulders at the base of it to help it blend into the landscape.

Photo: Stephen Govel Photography. From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

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Pool House and Shady Garden

Perennials were planted in the full-sun part of the yard, but here, large trees allowed for a shady woodland garden. Plants were chosen especially so that they blend into the natural edge of the adjacent forest.

Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

Provincial-Style Pool Terrace With Water Features and Dramatic Masonry

Pool Terrace With Valley View

Garden and Pool Terrace at Night

Limestone Pool and Patio

Fountain and Bog in Pool Terrace

Infinity Pool Edge With Lights

Limestone Hot Tub and Valley View

Hot Tub and Poolhouse

Pool Terrace and House Exterior

Waterfall and Pond

Outdoor Kitchen and Pond

Outdoor Fire Pit With Stone Walls

Stone Slab Steps and Wall

Rustic Timber Pergola and Covered Patio

Mediterranean Covered Patio With Pendants

Mediterranean Outdoor Sitting Area WIth Fireplace

Mediterranean Outdoor Kitchen With Limestone Sink

Stone Wall and Stepping Stone Walkway

Pool House and Shady Garden

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