Backyard Transformation Creates Spaces To Relax & Entertain

Homeowners request pool, fire pit, privacy and colorful landscaping

The backyard of this Allendale home was transformed with a swimming pool, fire pit and lots of manicured spots to entertain. Lawn Pro Landscapes LLC designed and oversaw the project.

The challenge for Kevin Kretz was to design a landscape worthy of a venerable Allendale home starting with nearly a blank slate. Known as the Van Houten home in honor of its original owners, the structure was built in 1897 and last renovated in 2019. But the landscaping surrounding the home left much to be desired. The backyard was uneven and slightly pitched, and grass struggled to survive under old oak trees that shaded most of the property, says Kretz, owner of Lawn Pro Landscapes LLC in Saddle River.

Stepper pavers beside the new swimming pool add interest to the landscape while arborvitae along the perimeter provide privacy from neighboring properties.

Homeowners Moira and Mark Connolly tasked Kretz with a full property renovation incorporating a pool/spa. He first asked the Connollys to complete a design questionnaire and visited them at home to better understand their interests, tastes and design aesthetics. From there he came up with a proposal that would accommodate their wishes for the pool as well as for privacy, more color, a fire pit and room to otherwise enjoy being outdoors.

A topographic plan, drawn by Skrable Engineering LLC in Mahwah, determined existing elevations. “With that, we were able to overlay [the plan] into our software program and start designing,” Kretz explains. “That helped us understand how we were able to work with the terrain and where the elevation changes needed to be for the best functional use.”

A centerpiece of the design is a swimming pool that sits at a slightly lower level than the home. Once the Connollys and Kretz finalized the overall design plans, Cipriano Landscape Design in Mahwah installed the pool, also making some design alterations to the north wall behind the garage for the pool equipment, tank, electrical and plumbing.

The wood-burning firepit adds an authentic feel and scent, unlike gas-fueled fire pits often installed today, Kretz says. It’s veneered in 4-inch Bellagio marble from Italy and topped with 2-inch bluestone. The Adirondak-style chairs lend a vintage New England feel but are made of durable high-density polyethylene.

A single row of stepper stones lines one edge of the pool while a double row leads to steps that descend to the fire pit, “breaking up the space and keeping guests wondering where they lead, creating a little mystery,” he adds. The family and friends can “cozy up next to the fire after a long day at the pool,” Kretz says. “And because it’s at a lower elevation, it really does have a feeling of being its own separate space.”

Pink mandevillas, red begonias and trailing Mezoo™ in deep blue containers are included in “The Hangover,” from the Signature Plantings by Lawn Pro collection, so called because of how the plants cascade over the containers. Soft downlights highlight the texture of the stone retaining wall.

An ipe wood enclosure is an attractive feature that hides unattractive pool equipment. The rich color of the wood helps the structure to blend into the natural surroundings.

Because the property is close to neighbors, privacy was a factor in the landscape design. ‘Green Giant’ arborvitae block the view without taking a lot of space, Kretz notes. On the north side above a retaining wall, roses and hydrangeas — two of Moria Connolly’s favorites — add color and fullness. He credits her green thumb for influencing plant selections throughout the project. Near the steps that lead from the pool to the house, he chose spirea, astilbe and liriope, a combination found elsewhere on the property. “We commonly use 12 to 20 species of plant materials on our projects and plant them en masse to give an area more impact,” Kretz says. “It’s like music to the landscape.”

Kretz included some of the homeowners’ favorite flowers — including roses and hydrangeas — in planting beds around the swimming pool.

Also needing attention was the front of the property, where a variety of plants had become overgrown. Kretz cleared the area and started over with new landscaping and a driveway and an entry court comprising about 35,000 custom pavers for a New England-style cobblestone effect in shale gray with an onyx black border. “This is a center point coming up the driveway into the circle, so we made the area colorful with the intention of changing it throughout the seasons,” he says. The sunny daffodils of spring give way to red, pink and white SunPatiens® and blue Endless Summer® hydrangeas for summer followed by the warm shades of chrysanthemums and kale for autumn. “It’s really a nice centerpiece upon entering the property,” Kretz notes.

Lighting adds a magical quality as the sun sets on the property.

The landscape takes on a magical quality beginning at dusk thanks to a carefully thought-out lighting plan. “We highlighted specimen trees and large perimeter trees and used path lights to downlight from a lower perspective shadowing the driveway,” Kretz says. After each installation, his team returns at dusk to make any modifications so the lights shine correctly and highlight to the best of their ability. He also installed under-cap wall lights that shine down, just enough to lighten an area and show the wall texture.

About 35,000 pavers create a New England-style cobblestone look for the driveway and entry court at the front of the home.

Looking back on the project, Kretz recalls when the backyard was more or less dirt. “But working with clients like the Connollys, who put their full trust in us, enabled us to build the best product we could for them.”

Begonias and hydrangeas add summer color along the driveway border. The plantings are changed to add seasonal color.