Shaded to Sunny Retreat

What was once a tucked-away retreat has been transformed into the centerpiece of the backyard—a place to gather, cool off, and enjoy the sunshine from morning to evening. When our clients approached us about revamping their backyard, they had a clear vision: create a space that felt open, bright, and seamlessly connected to their home. What stood before was a cozy, enclosed pool area—lush with greenery, but shaded and somewhat secluded from the rest of the house. While it had its charm, it lacked the usability, light, and indoor-outdoor flow the homeowners desired. The Before: Private but Confined The original pool area featured a small plunge pool nestled beneath mature landscaping and dense foliage. A charming cabana, hanging chairs, and a kids’ cubbyhouse gave the space personality, but it felt disconnected from the house. The tall hedges and overhanging trees made it a cool, shaded area—great in theory, but in reality, it often felt dark and closed-in. There was limited space for lounging, entertaining, or soaking up the sun, and the separation from the main house made the pool more of a secondary feature than a central attraction. The Vision: Light, Space, and Flow The homeowners wanted to rethink how the backyard was used. Their goals were simple but transformative: Open up the space to create a more usable area. Bring in more light by reducing overgrowth and adjusting the orientation. Improve the connection to the house, making the pool an integrated part of the daily living experience. The After: A Bright, Breezy Entertaining Space The results speak for themselves. The new design features a stunning in-ground pool set in light tiles that reflect the sun and amplify brightness. Dark wooden decking accents the perimeter, offering warmth and contrast. The pool area is now wide, open, and inviting—framed by carefully selected greenery that adds texture without overwhelming the space. One of the biggest upgrades? The direct connection to the house. Glass fencing allows for uninterrupted views from the living room and patio, creating a true indoor-outdoor flow. What was once a tucked-away retreat has been transformed into the centrepiece of the backyard—a place to gather, cool off, and enjoy the sunshine from morning to evening.