sensualappeal ■ ■ ■ ■ SPECIAL DESIGN ELEMENTS Humpback, kidney-shaped pool Multiple retaining walls Outdoor kitchen area Automatic control system BUILDER | Diplomat Pools and Spas Pickering, Ont. www.diplomatpools.com Tel: 905-839-8399 SIMPLE AND Adding character to a typical backyard Serene A Although this backyard in Whitby, Ont., had several grade differences between the house and back property line, the homeowner had big ambitions for their backyard and wanted to give it some personality. To create the large recreational area the homeowner was looking for, Diplomat Pools and Spas in Pickering, Ont., built several retaining walls using various materials, such as large boulders and limestone to reclaim areas of the backyard that would otherwise be underutilized. The retaining walls allowed Diplomat to bring form and function to the landscape, as well as install various garden pockets on multiple levels of the property. Large, naturalstone, quarry-step risers, installed in the ground in the middle of the yard and centre to the pool, provide access to various areas of the property. The curvature of the 5.5- x 11-m (18- x 36-ft), vinyl-lined, equal-radius humpback kidney pool imitates the sweeping lines of the retaining walls to give the entire installation a cohesive, unified appearance. The stone coping around the pool is outlined in darkcoloured patio stones, which further emphasize the pool’s curves. The surrounding pool deck comprises square-cut flagstone, which complements the natural stone used in the retaining walls and provides the homeowner with a large, spacious area for entertaining family and friends. Small trees and shrubs were also incorporated into the deck area to further complete the landscape, while the pool’s equipment was installed at the side of the house so it would be out of sight and sound. The backyard also incorporates an outside kitchen area and plenty of space for lounging and dining, while remote controlled light-emitting diode (LED) lighting was installed to add to the ambience when entertaining at night. Pools, Spas & Patios ■ www.poolsspaspatios.com 27 8:38:07 AM PSP_Annual_2011(1).indd Sec1:1 Diplomat_1_SApp.indd 27 3/16/11 12:09:33 PMAM 3/7/11 8:41:25