A Small-Space Pool Oasis in Sierra Madre: ADU Yard, Dunking Pool, Spa, Deck, Privacy, and Front Yard Transformation
This Sierra Madre project is a great example of how a small yard can become a complete outdoor living environment when every square foot is carefully planned. The client had recently built an ADU in the backyard, which left the property with a much smaller outdoor area than before. The original request was for a spa, but after discussing the layout, budget, and possibilities with...
Altadena, CA French Country Pool House & Sunken Fire Pit Landscape Design
Tucked into a lush, tree-lined property in Altadena, California, this backyard transformation showcases Garden View's signature blend of traditional elegance and functional outdoor living. Designed to feel like a private estate retreat, the space seamlessly connects a charming French Country-style pool house, an intimate sunken fire pit lounge, and a resort-caliber geometric pool and raised spa, all unified by warm materials and thoughtful landscape architecture....
Arcadia Pool Relocation, Spa, Outdoor Kitchen, California Room, and Backyard Resort Construction
This Arcadia project was our second project with this client. Garden View Landscape, Nursery & Pools had previously landscaped his former residence, and when he purchased this new home, he came back to us because he trusted our design/build process and construction experience. The existing pool at the new residence had rust coming from the bottom and was not located in the best relationship to...
Complete Monrovia Outdoor Transformation: Custom Pool, Modern ADU & California Resort Landscape
This Monrovia project was designed around a custom ADU office that opens directly into a beautiful outdoor setting. Garden View Landscape, Nursery & Pools designed and constructed the ADU, then built the pool, spa, landscape, hardscape, planting, lighting, and outdoor living areas around it. The goal was to create more than a backyard with an ADU. The goal was to create an office retreat that...
Contrast & Variety in Altadena: Contemporary Pool, Open ADU Structure, Deck, Sauna, Outdoor Shower, and Landscape Construction
This Altadena project shows how Garden View Landscape, Nursery & Pools combines design, construction expertise, pool building, hardscape, landscape, grading, and custom craftsmanship in one award-winning design/build company. The result is a contemporary outdoor retreat with a pool, open ADU-style structure, Ipe deck, sauna, outdoor shower, restroom, wine cellar, storage, fire pit, ceiling heaters, decomposed granite paths, boulder walls, timber ties, artificial grass, and mountain-view...
Craftsman Small Yard & Pool Pasadena
This Pasadena project shows how Garden View Landscape, Nursery & Pools can turn a very small backyard into a functional, attractive, Craftsman-style outdoor living space. The client wanted a pool that could support mini laps, relaxation, entertaining, and family use, but the available space was extremely limited. The challenge was to fit the pool close enough to the house to make the layout work, while...
El Campo Estate and Botanical Gardens
Garden View originally landscaped this 2.5-acre Pasadena property 15 years ago and has done several upgrades since. We have been maintaining this gorgeous property since the first installation. The home is constantly being upgraded by the general contractor Danny Devitis. All the credit goes to the creative genius and vision of the owner Steve Streit and the diligent work by Garden View Crews.
Free Form Swimming Pool Install and Landscape
Asymmetrical Balance in Landscape Design Asymmetrical balance, unlike the more formal mirrored symmetry, is about creating a visually harmonious space through the thoughtful arrangement of elements with different shapes, sizes, and weights. In this project, asymmetrical balance is achieved by carefully distributing visual weight across the yard, ensuring that no single feature overpowers another and that interest is spread evenly throughout. In this example, groupings...
Functional Relationship
This yard emanates functional elegance, seamlessly blending various elements to create an inviting and sophisticated outdoor space. There is a dedicated patio seating area with a fire pit that creates a harmonious relationship with the home's living room, transitioning smoothly to the outside pool area. A BBQ and dining area align in perfect relationship with the kitchen, providing ample space to relax and use the...
Infinity Pool with a View: La Cañada Flintridge Outdoor Living, Pool, Drainage, and Landscape Construction
This La Cañada Flintridge project is a strong example of what Garden View Landscape, Nursery & Pools does best: solving difficult construction problems while creating a beautiful, highly usable outdoor living environment. The client came to us wanting an updated design that would take better advantage of the property, the view, and the way their family wanted to live outdoors. The finished project includes an...
Infinity-Edge Pool with Mediterranean Style Landscape
Symmetrical and Radial Balance in Landscape Design Symmetrical balance is a fundamental principle in landscape design, particularly common in Mediterranean-inspired gardens, where formal shapes and symmetry dominate. It is easy to comprehend and highly effective in creating order and predictability. Symmetry guides the observer’s eye along a central axis, providing a sense of stability and cohesion.In the illustrated example, symmetrical balance is evident in the...
Informal Function and Flow in Sierra Madre
This client approached us with a large backyard featuring a small, kidney-shaped pool that was both visibly and functionally outdated. The spacious backyard had served them well, as their athletic children enjoyed it for outdoor activities. While the client wanted to maintain enough lawn for sports and their large dog, they also desired more functional outdoor living spaces. They envisioned a gathering area for family...
La Canada Art Deco Estate
Relationship Everything in this landscape connects and repeats, creating a balanced rhythm and a sense of harmony.The fountain begins on one side of the driveway, flows gracefully under it, and finishes downstream. The Art Deco style of the house is seamlessly reflected in all elements: the colors of the walls and structural components either match or complement the house. The square pilasters with their stepped...
La Cañada Pool, Spa & Sport Court Retreat
Tucked into the mature trees and natural grade of La Cañada Flintridge, this backyard had the space to be special—it just needed a plan that made everything feel connected. The goal was simple: create a true “staycation” property that works for everyday life, but still feels like a destination when friends and family are over. We started by carving the yard into usable levels and...
Landscape Relationship in Sierra Madre
This project serves as an excellent example of how to integrate various functional areas in a landscape, ensuring they relate harmoniously to each other. Situated on a long and relatively narrow lot, the property presents multiple distinct areas, yet they are skillfully tied together using a consistent palette of materials—most notably, brick paving and siding. This material unification mirrors the musical principle of repetition, where...
Modern Architecture
On this property, Garden View was responsible for building the ADU/pool house, the pergola, and the pathway connecting the pool house to the patios, landscaping walls, and planters. The existing house is a brilliant example of modern architecture.FormModern architecture is significantly about form. The philosophy behind modern architecture emphasizes simplicity, clean lines, and the purposeful use of space and materials. Key principles include:1. Form Follows...
Modern Meets Ranch
The client envisioned a modern design, yet the house was a Ranch style. To achieve this vision, we integrated modern features into the rustic Ranch aesthetic. The rockwork, composed of stacked flagstone with large pieces, maintains the Ranch style. The straight horizontal lines of the modern fireplace use traditional materials, yet its shape is distinctly contemporary. The water features create movement reminiscent of classic streams....
Modern Zen Arcadia
The light in this project highlights various features while integrating other principles of art. It emphasizes the striking, formally placed pots and enhances the movement in water features. Up-lights on trees, casting interesting shadows against the purposely blank walls, add depth. The fire pit at the far side of the yard creates a sense of distance, while the illuminated pool adds a relaxing value to...
Pasadena Contemporary Pool & Garden Remodel
Back Yard: Line in Landscape Design Everything about this ultra-modern design emphasizes flow. The lines of the short walls, the grass strips in the concrete, and even the branches of the oak tree guide your eyes toward the pool, the pool house, and ultimately to the lights on the back wall. These lines then lead you outward, moving in unison to create a sense of...
Pasadena Foothill Lagoon Pool & Spa Oasis
Foothill properties in Pasadena come with a built-in advantage—views, privacy, mature trees—and one built-in challenge: grade. This backyard slopes the way so many lots do up against the mountains, and the homeowner didn’t want to “fight” that natural shape with something rigid or overbuilt. The goal was to create a true escape that felt like it belonged there, flowing with the land instead of flattening...
Pasadena Hillside Infinity Pool & Custom Fire Feature
Perched high above the city lights of Pasadena, California, this custom outdoor oasis exemplifies the pinnacle of hillside luxury. At Garden View Landscape, Nursery & Pools, we know that designing for a sloped property requires more than just an eye for beauty, it demands masterful engineering and a cohesive, turnkey approach to outdoor construction. Engineering the Vanishing Edge The centerpiece of this Pasadena estate is...
Pasadena Modern Pool & Fire Lounge
Some backyards are all about lush layers and winding paths. This Pasadena project was the opposite—in the best way. The homeowners wanted something crisp, easy to live with, and built for the way they actually spend their evenings: swimming, hosting friends, and catching a game outside with a drink in hand. So we leaned into a clean, modern layout and let the details do the...
Pasadena Modern Pool & Front Yard Landscape
This Pasadena project is a great example of what we love most about design-build work: taking a yard that felt tight and dated and turning it into something clean, modern, and surprisingly spacious—without fighting the architecture of the home. The challenge was clear from day one. The homeowners wanted a contemporary poolscape with a sleek look and strong lines, but the house itself is clad...
Pasadena Natural Stone Poolscape
Some backyards are built around the house. This Pasadena one was built around the view. The homeowners wanted an outdoor space that felt like a getaway — somewhere they could soak, swim, cook, and sit outside at night without needing to leave home. The property already had the elevation and the sightlines, so our job was to shape everything around that “overlook” feeling and make...
Pasadena Stepper Pool
Pasadena backyard with steps through the poolThis project implies movement as the steppers guide you right across the pool, separating the spa from the main pool. The steppers lead you to different areas – the doors of the house, the fire pit area, BBQ, and the sunning area next to the steps. The tire on a rope is a swing.The modern rectangles are simple forms...
Pool Remodel and Front Yard Landscape
Garden View did a front and backyard overhaul to this Sierra Madre, California residence. The front yard was redesigned with the entrance and shrubbery in mind, and the pool was changed from an outdated and boring brick-edged pool to a free-form pool and backyard paradise!
Sierra Madre Japanese Garden
There is a lot going on in this yard but the chaus it is calmed by the value (masses) of water, greenery, and consistent paving and use of similar materials. Harmony in Landscape DesignThis project exemplifies harmony through its distinct and identifiable elements, making it an excellent example of how various components can work together to create a cohesive landscape. While harmony often evokes a...
Sierra Madre Rock Pool Oasis
Every Element of Rhythm is Achieved Here1. The Beat: The palm trees and boulders, strategically placed throughout the landscape (except at the grotto), are evenly spaced and balanced, creating a consistent beat that establishes the foundational rhythm of the garden.2. Flow & Movement: The flow of the landscape directs the eye along winding paths, across lawns, and over the pool. Movement is dynamically created by...
Small Glendora Back Yard
A large hedge provides privacy and serves as an unassuming backdrop, enhancing the overall value by adding mass and scale without clutter, framing the yard, and directing your eye to the point of interest. The owners envisioned a semi-modern structured backyard to complement the architecture of their semi-modern ranch-style home. The pool, with its rectangular form, harmonizes with the steppers and the small Baja shelf,...
South Pasadena infinity
This project uses Value to project distance use of masses of dark and light colors. The mass of lighter color paving in the forefront gives way toThe large blue and darker mass of the pool then leading to the dark hills and view to the LA skyline in the distance. The infinity pool gives the sense of movement and the lines all draw your eyes...
South Pasadena Tiny Yard Full of Function
Symmetry doesn’t have to be obvious or equal on opposite sides to produce a sense of balance and relationship. Subtle symmetry can create a subconscious feeling of harmony and order within a space. This very small backyard has a lot packed into it but does not overwhelm with complexity. Symmetry and balance are achieved through parallel lines repeated in the paving, topiary hedges, water features,...
Sunland Custom Pool, Outdoor Pavilion, Firepit, and Backyard Resort
This Sunland project was designed for a client with a large family that gathers often. Usually 20 to 40 people, and sometimes more when friends are included. The goal was to create a backyard that could entertain all ages at the same time, with places for adults to relax, kids to swim and play, and the whole family to enjoy Southern California indoor-outdoor living. The...
Swimming Pool and Backyard Remodel
This San Marino, California backyard and pool was remodeled with an eclectic style that mixed Thai and Spanish elements. Free form with pool and spa.
Swimming Pool Install and Backyard Renovation
This pool and backyard remodel utilized five foot raised bond beams to achieve the raised waterfall spa and stacked stone walls. LED lights were used to illuminate the flagstone steps into the pool with smooth beach entry. A firepit was included for summer nights around the pool.
Symmetry in Bradbury
Symmetry is a defining feature of this yard. The pilasters on both sides of the pool, the steppers in the fountain framing the water features on the backside of the spa, and the centrally placed spa all contribute to a harmonious balance. The coined corners are consistently aligned and balanced, further enhancing the symmetry. Balance is also achieved with equal parts of hardscape, lawns, and...
Traditional Style Pool Remodel
Forms in landscape design can be both overt and subtle, each telling a story about the space. For instance, the coined corners of the pool, crafted from precast concrete with limestone, immediately evoke a Mediterranean, Tuscan, or Roman aesthetic. The rectangular paving and the square symmetry of the pool further reinforce these classical design cues. The house and pool were originally designed by Wallace Neff,...
Ultimate Party Backyard with Swimming Pool Bar
Everything about this property says movement, excitement, party! Movement in landscape design encompasses both visual flow and physical change within a landscape. It may involve actual movement, such as the flow of water or the swaying of plants, or it could be an implied movement crafted by lines and forms that direct the viewer’s eye. This principle can be manifested through various elements, such as...
West Covina Hillside Resort Backyard
This West Covina backyard was designed with one non-negotiable in mind: the view stays the star. Perched above the valley, the property already had that “wow” factor—city lights at night, mountains at sunset, wide open sky in every direction. The goal was to build a complete outdoor living space that felt like a private resort, while keeping the layout clean and intentional so nothing competed...