Yard of the Week: Poolside Oasis With a Resort-Like Feel
A backyard lawn becomes a dining, lounging and entertaining hub with an outdoor kitchen, a spa and a saltwater pool
When designer and builder Christopher Grubb’s client moved from a condominium to a home in Los Angeles, the new homeowner was eager to transform the property’s expanse of grass into a fabulous destination where he could welcome friends and family. “He wanted a sitting area for conversation, a fire feature, an outdoor kitchen and bar, a dining area, a hot tub and ample space for lounging,” Grubb says.
After: Inspired by the French concept “en plein air” — in the open air — the team wanted the design to be a celebration of being outside. Grubb set to work defining zones for various activities while creating a modern, natural-looking space featuring shades of blue, green and turquoise.
“The client likes different levels, materials and heights, and on his property we were able to achieve that,” says Grubb, president of Arch-Interiors Design Group, an interior and exterior design firm. “Because the back door originally had steps, we had an opportunity to raise that side up and give him those levels. I think it’s very different and fun.”
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“The client likes different levels, materials and heights, and on his property we were able to achieve that,” says Grubb, president of Arch-Interiors Design Group, an interior and exterior design firm. “Because the back door originally had steps, we had an opportunity to raise that side up and give him those levels. I think it’s very different and fun.”
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The new fully equipped outdoor kitchen features a grill, a refrigerator, a sink with an integrated cutting board and plenty of stainless steel storage cabinetry in which to stash dishware and cocktail items.
“We added very small downlights in the kitchen area, which I like to use because it makes things functional and also provides a wash of glowing light if he’s using the yard at nighttime,” Grubb says.
For the backsplash, Grubb chose a glass tile that features a mix of blues and turquoises. “The tile has an iridescent quality, so it sparkles a little bit and has some reflection most nights, giving everything some life and depth,” he says.
“We added very small downlights in the kitchen area, which I like to use because it makes things functional and also provides a wash of glowing light if he’s using the yard at nighttime,” Grubb says.
For the backsplash, Grubb chose a glass tile that features a mix of blues and turquoises. “The tile has an iridescent quality, so it sparkles a little bit and has some reflection most nights, giving everything some life and depth,” he says.
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Dekton — an ultracompact quartz surface — provides a durable outdoor countertop. Grubb clad the area with stucco to match the house. A Douglas fir pergola grounds the space and adds some shade.
An outdoor bar connects the kitchen to the rest of the yard. “There’s a cool bar ledge for serving drinks quickly, which adds efficiency,” Grubb says.
What to Know About Adding an Outdoor Kitchen
An outdoor bar connects the kitchen to the rest of the yard. “There’s a cool bar ledge for serving drinks quickly, which adds efficiency,” Grubb says.
What to Know About Adding an Outdoor Kitchen
The blue-and-turquoise color scheme flows throughout the project. “We had extra material, so we used the same tiles around the fire pit feature and the hot tub [seen here in the foreground], and we also did strips of it on the pool steps to give them some delineation,” Grubb says.
The homeowner wanted an outdoor shower, so Grubb tucked one into the side of the yard and used more of the iridescent glass tiles to turn the area into a striking focal point.
“At first it was just going to be concrete and stucco, but since we had leftover tiles, we had this tremendous opportunity to make it such a special feature,” he says.
The shower sits nestled in the corner, to the left of the new outdoor lounge. “When you’re sitting in the seating area and look over, you can see it, and it’s this beautiful continuation of the material to your left,” Grubb says.
“At first it was just going to be concrete and stucco, but since we had leftover tiles, we had this tremendous opportunity to make it such a special feature,” he says.
The shower sits nestled in the corner, to the left of the new outdoor lounge. “When you’re sitting in the seating area and look over, you can see it, and it’s this beautiful continuation of the material to your left,” Grubb says.
For the pool decking material, Grubb chose Resysta, a wood-look product made of rice husks, salt and mineral oil. “I like the way it looks where it meets the concrete,” he says.
The homeowner entertains quite a bit around the saltwater swimming pool, so Grubb designed a continuous bench along one side of the pool, where guests can sit and relax.
The three striped awnings provide shade to poolside loungers while also helping to keep the home’s interior cool.
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Other than the weeping fig (Ficus benjamina), hedges encircling the yard and some grassy areas around the pool and between concrete pavers to soften the space, the backyard is mostly hardscaping. A couple of oversize containers filled with different annuals add flushes of color.
For added nighttime drama, Grubb installed a fire feature of crushed glass, which complements the glass tile surround.
The team also added sconces around the yard, and the pool and hot tub can light up at night. “We wanted a subtle, sexy feeling in the yard, so all the hedging has landscape lighting. You have this great feeling of greenery that’s gently lit when you’re in the backyard,” Grubb says.
10 Things to Know About Buying a Fire Pit for Your Yard
The team also added sconces around the yard, and the pool and hot tub can light up at night. “We wanted a subtle, sexy feeling in the yard, so all the hedging has landscape lighting. You have this great feeling of greenery that’s gently lit when you’re in the backyard,” Grubb says.
10 Things to Know About Buying a Fire Pit for Your Yard
Before: Here’s a view of the backyard and detached garage before the renovation.
After: When Grubb’s team designed the home’s adjacent garage, they added a bathroom with a frosted glass door for privacy, so the space could double as a poolside cabana. “It has a corner shower and accesses the outside, so it acts as a dressing room if needed,” he says. “The homeowner also stores outdoor items there.”
“This was a challenging project, because there was a lot to pack into a smaller backyard while still making it feel open and zoned,” Grubb says. “I’m very happy with the success of these experiences. It feels like we’re at a resort.”
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Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: A single man
Location: Los Angeles
Size: 1,500 square feet (139 square meters)
Designer and builder: Christopher Grubb of Arch-Interiors Design Group
Before: The backyard sits between the main house on the left and the garage on the right. It lacked dimension, texture and interest, providing a blank canvas for Grubb’s team to create an inviting space.