Writer: Hailey Evans
Photographer: Jack Coyier
The owners of this Glen Oaks home wanted to check off a few boxes with their backyard landscape design. First, they wanted a place to eat outdoors. They also wanted a pool to enjoy during the summer. But these simple goals were a bit challenging with the steep backyard slope. Ted Lare, the lead designer on the project, accommodated a 13-foot elevation difference by creating a layered escape with a resort-style feel.
Nothing says “luxury” quite like an infinity pool. The hillside added to the plunge pool’s optical illusion, offering an elevated view over its vanishing edge. The pool’s exterior is made from tile and gunite, a type of concrete blended with sand, but the outer wall is coated in black plaster for a more elegant look. The catch pool below blends in with the surrounding stone.
The home’s kitchen opens up to the deck, so the homeowners requested an easy, relaxed area that would facilitate outdoor meals. The picnic area features a grill, seating and easy access to the kitchen. A few steps lead to a cozy poolside lounge, perfect for appetizers and drinks during sunsets. The deck is made of Wisconsin limestone to give the yard what Lare called “a contemporary but natural feel.”
