Here’s how we created the Pickett’s pretty and practical porch and pool in a small backyard.
That’s a tongue twister!
The positives of our new home in Atlantic Beach, Florida were that it was well built, only ten years old, near the ocean, and had a nice layout with good space.
But it’s on an odd pie-shaped lot and had a dated hot tub in the back (sorry if you have a spa similar to my parents in the 80s). And it’s so hot here…we really wanted a small swimming pool.
We’ve lived twice before in Florida with unscreened pools and managed to deal with the leaves and mosquitos (which surprisingly haven’t been too bad). Although we love our screened balconies like the Ladies’ Loft and Office Porch.
Here’s what we did to create a porch and pool in a small yard with some future plans at the end.
Porch and Pool In A Small Backyard “Before”
When I saw the television out here, thought perfect “Howard’s new man/sports viewing cave.” But all the screens were making our downstairs even darker. You can see they had lights on during the day.
Back Porch After
We had the pool built to be level with the porch with the same coquina-type concrete pavers throughout the patio and pool deck.
The summer kitchen remained. The patio furniture creates a place for relaxation and for Howard to watch sports (keeping all the noise outside :).
I’m not wild about the colors in the granite but I love the durability so I don’t think we will be changing it anytime soon.
We wanted to keep a somewhat monochromatic color scheme (with some blue thrown in) everywhere else so that the small space doesn’t feel choppy.
Howard didn’t consult me on the fridge replacement (I was thinking stainless steel). Loving the new string party lights with remote control.
Plunge Pool After – A Cocktail Pool
It was a challenge with the property lines and minimum setbacks. And due to the slope, it is both an above-ground and in-ground cement pool. The deepest part is 5.5′
The water feature fountains make a pleasant splash that you can hear upstairs in the Ladies’ Loft. There are also lots of birds singing out here so it feels very tropical.
The round floats are from Business and Pleasure. We had our first dip in the pool last weekend. Even Chief took a lap.
If we do have a mosquito problem, has anyone tried the timed organic misters?
It will be fun to start entertaining here. The flickering candles are battery-operated and on-timers.
Next steps:
There is creeping fig ivy planted at the base of the white fence to eventually cover it in greenery. We’d like to have a fire pit with chairs near the back fence and two chaises off to the side. And possibly a corn hole game!
We are really happy that the pool company pulled off this challenging small backyard pool and porch!
Shop the Porch:
Your pool is such a great idea for the yard. It looks refreshing and inviting and I love the fountain effect on the sides.
What a great retreat/entertaining space.
Karen B.
Mary Ann! Your pool looks so beautiful! And I would never even realize that you had an odd shaped backyard or even a small backyard. You used the space so well that it’s just perfect from every angle…including above in your ladies loft! I love the furniture you chose and the candles on timers in hurricanes…it’s all so dreamy now! You’ve accomplished so much so fast!
xx
Mary Ann so beautiful! I knew you would do a great job on thepool. Love it without the screen, and I would have done the same. As a Californian we love the light don’t we? Your furniture is pretty and I love how you put the plates on the wall, and your tables. Everything is so fresh and resort like! Gorgeous.
I highly recommend the mosquito misting system for you wonderful backyard retreat. It is quiet, unobtrusive and safe. You will feel like you have a screened in backyard. I can’t imagine living in the south without one. Truly a must for backyard living in any area with mosquitoes. You will not regret the investment ❤️
Thanks, Cathy. The service that our landscape designer recommended says it comes with a money back guarentee.
In follow up to my comment on your last post following brief glimpse of the new cocktail pool … I’m officially deceased. Your backyard space … all your porch spaces … are divine. Seriously. Brilliant pool design and placement? Is the pool all one, shallow depth. May you said so and I missed it because as previously mention … deceased. I bet you can’t wait to get back home and do some serious pool and porch time. And Chief in the water? This I need to see. Oh, Anthropology has some new things for bugs … sticks that you light and keep around the yard. I forget what they call them but they’re on my list for our summer patio. Check it out. So happy to finally see the Pickett pool reveal … it was worth the wait! xo
I will check that out, Juliet!!!
Hi Maryanne,
The backyard turned out lovely! I love the small plunge pool. We don’t know where our next move will be, it actually could even be Florida, because our kids and grandkids moved near Daytona Beach. So I am watching. How are you, as a Californian are doing in Florida? You are my guinea pig😜!! I love the lights and I love the flickering candles as well. It looks wonderful.
That’s so funny, Martha. You would love the taxes and prices. I’m in San Diego now…and just even at the restaurants, the prices are higher. I’m not too familiar with Daytona Beach…but you could live closer to us or St. Augustine or New Symrna.
Give yourselves a BIG pat on back. Everything turned out so well. You think of everything.
Thanks, Katherine. It feels like home now.
It looks beautiful! I am sure that you will enjoy it all summer and winter long.
I have a question, what are the name of the plants in front of the fence?
There are some palm trees and some white birds of paradise, Elizabeth.
Bravo Mary Ann! I adore what you’ve done with your patio area, it’s a perfect space to relax and enjoy your beautiful pool. Your yard may be on the small side but you’ve turned it into a jewel, I love it. I’m actually a bit envious because I would trade our too large backyard for something much smaller and more manageable in a heartbeat. Thank you for inspiring us with your wonderful style and decor!
It looks lovely Mary Ann. I am sure you will be using it all the time. We live in Brisbane Australia and have a mosquito problem. We have a mozzie zapper, and some small ones that we place around the pool. The mozzies don’t seem to be a problem. And our Summer has been hot and humid.
It looks so much lighter without the screens I hope you can keep the mosquitoes under control. In a climate like Florida’s it only makes sense to
Use your outdoors year round, looking forward to your outdoor entertaining posts. I have dealt with a challenging akward lot for building a pool as well, mine didn’t turn as I expected but was good enough to gives us lots of use of it. Pool contractors are used to making magic out of small spaces
Wow! What a beautiful backyard, pool and porch! We’ve had our pool for 25 years and it’s never looked that good! We have a challenging space too, and I’ve tried, but it’s still kind of blah! You’ve given some great tips and products. Thanks. Enjoy your space!
Thanks, Nancy. I’m so glad be but the bullet.
Wonderful back yard for entertaining and outdoor living’! Very festive with your well-planned party lights!
This party lights are one of my favorite things!!
Get a purple martin ( bird) house and they will solve your mosquito problem.
I just looked that up. Does it help with the mosquitoes all summer long though? They look like beautiful birds.
Wow, what a great backyard space! We have mosquito zappers, these little machines that use propane (I think – my husband is in charge of them). They do a good job in in our New Jersey yard but maybe Florida mosquitos are on another level.
Luv it…lots of thought & planning…PAY OFF HUGE! franki
Thanks, Franki!!!
Oh, Mary Ann, what a transformation. You are amazing! I love it. Everywhere I look, it’s just beautiful, and inviting. And comfortable. Love all the lighting, both in the pool and the candles. The landscaping is really pretty and will grow with each plant having its own personality. Love the assortment of the plants, the different heights, and different textures. what a comfortable and fun place to live. I can just see you now having a party and enjoying yourself.
Thanks so much, Kathy. It will be fun to see the new palm trees take off in the Florida climate.
The finished project is gorgeous and it looks perfect for using everyday and for entertaining! You always elevate spaces beautifully. Bravo!
Yes, Cindy. I think we will use it a lot!!!
It looks lovely. You did a really nice job and I know you will love the space. I will admit I’m having a hard time relating as I’m a San Francisco gal with a first granddaughter the same age as yours. I’m staying put in The City near family. Florida is another world!
That’s why we are in Southern California right now to see family. You are right that it’s hard to be away but we have plans to get together frequently this year and have them visit us, too.
What a beautiful outdoor space! You will certainly enjoy your beautiful pool.
Yes, Karen, especially this weekend!!
What a lovely backyard! It’s amazing what you did with the space you had to work with….just wondering, did you ever consider using a drop down, motorized screen to protect your porch area?
Yes, Cheryl…that is definitely under consideration!
Oh, I’d love to have a small pool in our backyard but it would mean removing my gardens. I need to be surrounded by nature, not just hard scape and the backyard is too small to have both. Although, if I lived in Florida I would sacrifice the garden for the cooling effect of a pool. You did a lovely job on your backyard oasis.
Yes…I do wish we had more of a garden. You can’t see it, but we are planting a lime tree in a large pot in the back and we just planted a Meyer lemon tree in the front. Also the palm trees in the corner and along the right wall. We have a lot of hydrangeas in the front but I am afraid they will be getting too much sun.
your lovely backyard looks just the right size for two people who love to travel. We live in Houston and have a mosquito problem also. We used to have misters but they always clogged. We now use a spraying service every 3 weeks which I think works best. Same cost but no maintenance and they use the same organic chemicals. We have found the best way to ward off mosquitoes is with powerful fans. We set them up to blow across the pool and it really works. They are stored away until needed. The newer versions have wheels. Also helps with the stifling heat, esp when you’re wet.keep them aimed low because mosquitoes usually stay near the ground and are weak flyers.
This is so helpful, Valerie. The misters come with a service every two weeks. So good to know about the fans and that mosquitos fly low.
It’s lovely. We’ll done!
Well. Well done
Thanks, Mary!!!
Beautiful reveal of backyard, patio improvements. Thanks for sparing us the day by day pool construction details- it’s a disruptive process.
Ha! I was wondering if I should show those in progress shots! But it wasn’t exactly a fun time. Although they did it fairly quickly!