BEFORE
A Fredericksburg, Virginia, couple was dissatisfied with their flat, boring backyard and large yet unappealing patio. They hired Daniel Robey of McHale Landscape Design to integrate a pool and water feature into space and to provide much-needed shade for outdoor gatherings.
| Then | Now |
| From the expansive patio, the yard offered little visual interest. | A 12-by-50 foot pool was installed beside the patio; it's bordered by a stone wall with copper scuppers that channel flowing water. |
| There was no respite from the direct sun, which "really hammered the yard," says Robey. | A cedar pergola that provides shade complements the home's architecture. A row of evergreens was moved closer to the pool to block the sun. |
| There was no place for the grill that didn't block views or get in the way. | The grill is tucked away on a small grilling patio at the end of the pool. |
| Plantings were sparse, which left the back of the house looking bare. | Rows of boxwood and colorful seasonal plantings enhance the house and landscape. |
Landscape Architecture: Daniel Robey, PLA, ASLA, McHale Landscape Design, Inc., Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Pool Installation: Town & Country Pools, Springfield, Virginia.