Some backyards are naturally magnets for family and friends; this one was designed to be.

The clients of landscape designer Yan Martel knew they wanted a place for their family to gather, as well as where their four older teens could hang out with friends. The new pool is an obvious focal point for fun, but the upper terrace is also key. Not only does it function as an outdoor family room with its roomy wood-frame sectional, but it also satisfies the homeowners’ need to see all the outdoor spaces from one vantage point. Its standout cedar ceiling is stunning, adding a tropical touch and providing shelter from the weather.

“We enjoy it a lot because it’s covered and includes the spa,” says one homeowner. That and the warmth of family and friends are guaranteed to keep the party going long after summer temperatures dip.

Elements of Design

Landscape designer Yan Martel added a waterfall at one end of the pool. It’s matched in height and material (a handsome grey stone) to the terrace’s foundation wall for visual unity. The cabana also relates in style and materials to the main house for a greater sense of harmony. For the pool, Yan designed a wide recess of steps that acts to visually widen the pool’s narrow dimensions without detracting from the visual pull of the waterfall and the woods beyond. 

 

Spa & Ahhhh!  

The terrace is the family’s relaxing hangout zone, accessible from indoors and offering a view through glass railings to the entire backyard. The cedar ceiling shelters the spa for all-weather soaking and gives a tropical vibe to the contemporary setting, as do the exotic plants. A huge sectional with upholstery and pillows in shades of grey relates in colour to the stones of the pool deck, and keeps the mood cool and sophisticated. 

Landscape and Pool Design, Yan Martel, Les Aménagements Dubé. Cabana Design, IDesign. Cabana construction, Construction Asselin & Frères. sectional, coffee table, potted plants, Jardin de Ville. rug, Wayfair.