A spa bath brings a touch of the exotic to this modest backyard

Owner Martin worked with a couple of professionals to design and create a unique pool area, managing to give a sense of space and originality to his home's modest backyard. 

Andrew, from Specialised Spas and Pools, advised on the most suitable pool and spa and installed an affordable model that is easy to clean. The spa seats six and the swimming area features wraparound steps for a laid-back pool experience. The interior colour was important to Martin and the pool's rich green-aqua tone combines well with the pool surrounds and rich red wall.

Low maintenance was a top priority for Martin, so tropical trees were chosen to avoid stray foliage. The selection of palms includes the elephant palm and is practical as well as attractive. It's all part of the fuss-free design.

The pool and garden are simple and functional, but the most outstanding aspect of the design is a specially designed mural. Martin enlisted the expertise of an artist friend, who incorporated a design element that gives his humble backyard the appearance of extra depth. In this case, the illusion of sky and an expansive garden stretch the view far beyond what the eye can see.

Being the co-owner of a relatively new glass pool fencing company, Martin was able to save on the seamless glass fence, which features classy reflective bolt-free clamps. The glass does not interfere with the simplicity of design, allowing uninterrupted views of the pool area from anywhere in the backyard.

Andrew Blashki

Specialised Spas and Pools

What was the brief?

The major requirement was that the colour and finish had to be perfect, as the finished project was to be used as a display for the client's own product – frameless glass fencing. The siting, levels and equipment location had to be such that the pool did not detract from the fencing.

Were there any challenges?

This was a fairly straightforward job, as access was easy through the garage and the site was flat and clear. The only minor challenge was the positioning and plumbing of the equipment into the existing laundry so that it was not visible.

Are you happy with the overall result?

When the owner described his vision for the project we were a little unsure of how it would look. To see the pool once the fence, garden and that fantastic mural were finished, we were blown away. It is without doubt one of the most stunning projects we have been involved with.

What's your favourite aspect of the project? 

I suppose it would have to be the mural on the fence-line wall. This gives such a different perspective to the yard from its original style. The fencing brackets give the job the edge over similar products we have seen used around other pools. Overall, this job is one of our favourites.

What were you hoping to achieve with your pool?

I wanted the pool to blend in with the house and the garden, since the house is only four metres away from the side of the pool. I designed the area so the pool would be easy to clean. I used three different types of palms, including the elephant palm. They don't drop any leaves at all.

How much involvement did you have in the overall design? 

I've designed the whole job from the height of the pool to the bathroom at the side. It looks like a beach house. It's just off the edge of the pool and you can enter it from the pool or externally.

Tell us about the mural.

A friend of mine does a lot of backdrops for movies. He showed me all these different types of French murals in a book and I picked one I liked. Then he just whipped it up in a couple of days. Once he'd finished, I did the paving up into it to make it actually blend in.

How did you manage to keep the costs to a minimum? 

I was able to keep the costs down largely because I did a lot of the preparation work. I also had a few friends helping out. I had my brother-in-law put the concrete in, so we saved money there.

How did you choose the plants and other materials?

I wanted a bit of a tropical look, so I chose a lot of different palm trees. I wanted plants that wouldn't drop leaves. I also wanted the pool to look picturesque from anywhere in the yard. That's why I chose the glass fencing – so we wouldn't lose anything.