This Tuscon, Ariz. residence belongs to some vivacious couple who wanted a location where they can make the most of their retirement. “The customers had a big wish list,” says landscape designer Kathryn Prideaux. They wanted to create an actual outdoor living experience: pool, dining room, outdoor kitchen, fire feature, rest seat, and sunning area on the terrace.
Already an ambitious endeavor, the job was complicated by the terrace’s limited space. “They weren’t really worried about just how much space they have, but rather how that space could be utilized,” says Prideaux. By carefully dividing the space according to function, she managed to check off every item on her customers’ want list.
Prideaux Design
The rear patio faces a stunning sunset view of a beautiful golf program. The contemporary built-in fireplace — surrounded by outdoor furniture out of Brown Jordan — was created by running one line of petrol into a basin. The basin is made from concrete block units, and includes a foundation layer of sand using a high layer of decorative fire glass.
“The fire feature is nearly like a geode,” says Prideaux. “The rock exterior creates an outer layer that’s cut away to reveal the brilliant glass and gleaming blues.”
Prideaux Design
The pool is technically called a”bolt” — a small pool and a huge spa combined into a single. It can be stored cool for swimmingpool, or heated up to utilize with jets on colder nights. “The design centres around the idea that the walls of the pool turned into the backbone of both of the other spaces,” she says.
Local pottery was filled with Agave weberi and loose pebbles to get a casual effect.
Prideaux Design
The distance on the other end of the pool was designed for a small dining area and kitchen. Colorful tile handmade by Dunis Studios lines a wall using a decorative waterfall.
The practice of installing the pool came with some serious challenges. The method by which in which the house was created supposed that going through the home is actually the only means to get the rear patio area. The contractor came up with an idea to build a complete construction”tube” through the home. The tube was made from plywood; crews simply wheeled each the stuff through it!
Prideaux Design
The outdoor dining area and the fire pit area are equally about 12’x12′. After measuring interior rooms for reference, Prideaux found that this was the minimum amount of space required to create an outdoor room. “One side of the space became the day conversation space, and another side became a dining and cooking space,” she says.
Prideaux Design
More vividly coloured tile out of Dunis Studios beams the outdoor cooking channel. The blue tiles get their distinctive appearance from a mold which uses washers and other hardware for feel.
A grill from Al Fresco, side burner, fully sealed pantry and sink were all installed to the space. A lime tree in a huge pot close to the kitchen is”ideal for cocktail hour,” says Prideaux.
Prideaux Design
Prideaux got lucky and found each the pottery at a nearby nursery. The earthy but brightly-colored vessels seem like they had been created for the distance. All the outdoor cushions and pillows are made by Primadonna Linens.
The colour palette was inspired by a piece of fabric from the customer. This fabric was used on the benches, and all the other fabrics were pulled out of its vivid palette.
Prideaux Design
The entire rear patio is 24’x48′. It’s not a particularly large space, especially considering all the requirements the customers had for it. Incorporating a pool, outdoor dining room, outdoor kitchen, and many lounge areas in a way that felt natural and comfortable was clearly a challenge.
Prideaux Design
An integrated ski bench close to the back of the space is a totally cozy nook for a few afternoon shut-eye. Prideaux utilized all low-water, native plants in the landscape design. “The crops were carefully selected,” she says. “While there’s not a large number of plant material, the quality was very important.”
Pedilanthus macrocarpus, or the Slipper Plant, is implanted in a vibrant pot next to the seat. Prideaux also employed this plant close to the edges of the pool.
Prideaux Design
Stunning specimen cactus and succulents surround around the fire pit. Prideaux enlisted the help of landscape contractors at Arcadia Landscape to select nearby, durable plants. Aesthetics were important, but crops which were tough and provided a sense of location was as much of a priority.
Prideaux Design
Prideaux picked a stacked stone veneer product from El Dorado Stone to line the outside walls of the pool. A graceful Acacia tree colors the terrace from the Arizona sun.
Prideaux Design
“Lighting is tricky in a smaller space,” says Prideaux. “It may be overdone easily and ruin the mood.” She stuck using a very simple plan and set up wall fixtures to illuminate pathways, and a couple of up-lights to emphasize the texture of crops and soften the distance.
Prideaux Design
The terrace tile is a clay Saltillo tile, dyed in a darker brown than the more traditional terra cotta. Called”Moreno” Saltillo tile, it is dyed using a natural manganese dioxide, which permanently alters the colour.
Photography by Balfour Walker
More landscaping ideas:
Garden Tour: Three Degrees of Outdoor Living
Garden Tour: Enchanting Greek Landscape