Travertine Tile: Scottsdale Sanctuary

Our Pool Design Ideas series was created to help spark ideas of what might be a good fit for you in your backyard. When you’re starting the process of building a pool, there are numerous decisions to make. A great place to get started is with the pool design and design elements like implementing Travertine Tile. Whether it’s a freeform or geometric design, with modern, Tuscan, or retro design elements, it’s really about the look that fits your home.

At California Pools & Landscape, we’ve been creating custom pools in the Valley of the Sun for more than 36 years. We’ve designed thousands of freeform pools of all shapes and sizes, to meet the desires of every client.

About This Scottsdale Masterpiece

These Scottsdale customers were looking to create the ultimate backyard environment, taking advantage of their serene location. With views of Tom’s Thumb and the Four Peaks mountain range, there were amazing sight lines to accentuate in the design. The homeowners were looking to transform their natural desert environment into a backyard with a pool and spa. The Scottsdale home features design inspirations from Frank Lloyd Wright so our design team wanted to create a backyard environment that would compliment the home and appear as if it had always been there. Adding in areas for outdoor entertainment and relaxation was also a priority for the customers.

This ultimate backyard is centered around the geometric pool and elevated overflow spa. The contemporary design features clean lines and natural landscaping that brings the desert in. The backyard is framed with 2,600 square feet of Boulevard Light Tumbled travertine that carries throughout the design, matching beautifully with the exterior of the home. There are several destinations for enjoyment of the outdoor living space; all created to match the contemporary look and feel of the home.

Scottsdale Sanctuary Swimming Pool Travertine Tile

A Unique Geometric Pool & Spa Design

The geometric pool and connected zero spill spa are the main attractions in this backyard sanctuary, featuring our Topaz Sea Glass Pebble with double abalone. The pool’s shape plays off of the octagonal face of the home, serving as a perfect design compliment. The pool has a large baja shelf that sits 21” below the waterline, offering a nice depth to enjoy lounging underwater. The pool’s Bluebonnet waterline tile offers a great natural transition from the interior and creates a color pop on the edge. The pool features a runnel that sits 9” below the waterline and collects the spill from the scupper that sits above it.

The zero spill sit and spin spa features a stunning design and is covered with 1”x1” mosaic Moon Glass Galaxy tile. The top of the spa features a 2”x2” non-slip black tile that offers a complimentary clean look. The spa sits at a higher elevation than the pool which led our design team to create the water feature and raised wall featuring Silver Ledgestone stacked stone and the mosaic tile.

Scottsdale Sanctuary Swimming Pool Water Features

Creating Outdoor Entertainment Destinations

This ultimate backyard offers plenty of space for entertainment and relaxation. In addition to the geometric pool & spa, the yard also features a raised fire pit, bbq grill with a raised bar seating area and a water fountain. The site lines out of the home inspired some special design elements in the yard.

The raised travertine tile deck that sits above the pool features the spa and firepit with plenty of area for entertainment. This spot serves as a natural gathering spot on cool evenings in the dessert. The 7ft long fire pit is 16” tall and features the Silver Ledgestone stacked stone and a Boulevard Light travertine cap. It also has ledge lights installed on each side for added luxury.

The water feature fountain was moved into its location adjacent to the spa so that it would be within the site lines of the master bedroom. It is surrounded by a 6”x6” Boulevard Light travertine tile border to tie together the design and is filled with beach pebbles.

The outdoor kitchen and BBQ island provide another outdoor destination and area to entertain. The island features a BBQ, ice chest, and plenty of storage areas underneath the cooking surface. The stunning design elements that are incorporated complement the clean look of the design and tie the elements of the yard together. The poured concrete bar offers plenty of area for entertaining outdoors and is covered with Distressed Betuilla tile. The mosaic tile on the table base matches the exterior of the spa.

Incorporating Design Elements Throughout The Yard

The landscaping on this ultimate backyard adds the final touches to this natural environment. There are several trees, cactus, shrubs, groundcover, accents, and specialty plants throughout the yard. Four Desert Museum Palo Verde trees are strategically placed in the yard adding a color pop. There are 10 variations of shrubs incorporated into the landscape design and 9 different accent plants. 10 Golden Barrel cactus are also incorporated in planter areas. The Cal Elite artificial turf adds additional color to the landscape design as almost 800 square feet for activity or relaxation.

Scottsdale Sanctuary Swimming Pool Drone View

Designing Your Own Backyard Oasis with Travertine Tile

Hopefully, these pool design ideas helped you figure out some design elements that you might enjoy in your backyard design. Selecting pool and backyard elements, as well as design features, is a fun part of the process. It’s important to consider what will fit into your home’s environment and be enjoyed by you and your family. From the outdoor kitchen to the raised travertine tile decking this Scottsdale backyard is sure to inspire.

The elements in this beautiful Scottsdale ultimate backyard are just a few of the many design options that we have available at California Pools & Landscape. We’ve built a page that houses all of the freeform design ideas that could create an ultimate backyard experience. To see all more design ideas visit our Photo Galleries.

Love this pool design idea? If you’re ready to start with your dream yard design, get started with one of our talented designers.