BEFORE.
| Then | Now |
| A couple wanted play space for their kids and an area for outdoor entertaining. Their backyard was bisected by an awkward slope that was hard for the kids to navigate and uninviting for adults. | Soil excavated for the swimming pool was used to fill in the gradient behind the house. A flagstone patio offers room to gather, with a fireplace and built-in grill. |
| The owners could not easily access the pool and patio from both the lower level and the main floor of their house. | The pool connects to a patio that leads into the lower level. The entertainment area flows onto the porch off the kitchen. A few steps connect the two outdoor spaces. |
| The owners feared that the sloped terrain meant high retaining walls would be required. | In lieu of high retaining walls, attractive beds of shrubs and perennials are planted on a slope. |
Landscape Architecture: Chad Talton, RLA, Surrounds, Inc., Sterling, Virginia. Pool Installation: Town & Country Pools, Inc., Springfield, Virginia.