Oscar-winning actor Robert Downey Jr.'s home, designed by Nicolò Bini, is an aerodynamic, environmentally conscious masterpiece, and the drought-tolerant outdoor space is just as special as the inside.
A contemporary yet tranquil space, Robert Downey Jr.'s garden, designed by landscape designer Ana Saavedra, is a naturalistic masterclass crafted to chime beautifully with the surrounding landscape.
Outdoor spaces have always been seen as extensions of our homes, incorporating areas for relaxation, entertainment, and dining. However, designing around a large pool can often prove difficult to get right due to its sheer size and dominance. It was important to mimic the home's naturalistic aesthetic and ensure the pool blended in with its surroundings rather than standing out.
The final result – a garden pool retreat that looks and feels completely at home in its Californian environment.
The curvaceous, fluid design is the first thing I noticed about this pool idea. The design serves to aid the organic, naturalistic nature of the surrounding landscaping.
‘In an awkwardly shaped garden, a pool with a free-flowing design will make the most of the space,’ says Janine Pattison of JPS Landscape Design. It's ideal for large gardens that want to replicate nature.
If you prefer clean lines and symmetry, use planting to fill the uneven gaps left around the straight sides. A pool with an irregular shape is more difficult to cover, so be prepared for more heat loss if you leave it exposed, or have a bespoke cover fitted.
In terms of landscaping, a large backyard, similar to Downey Jr.'s, offers scope to position the pool away from the house and to create a dedicated environment for the feature.
Landscaper and designer Andy Sturgeon suggests disguising the pool behind a low wall or hedge to blend it into the surrounding area.
‘Plant around one or two edges of the pool, to make it into a proper garden feature and to bring the flowers and foliage – or lawn – up close to the swimmers,’ says Andy.
'When using shrubs and other plants for privacy screening around pools – layering is key,' says Pool expert Rafi Friedman, from Coastal Luxury Outdoors. 'Plant low-growing plants closer to the pool, and add successive layers of taller shrubs as you move towards your lot line. The multiple layers will provide better privacy than any one row of plants.'
Planting in this manner is an effective way to create garden screening around your pool area. It also gives your pool space a sense of enclosure, transforming it into a beautiful escape right on your back doorstep.
The surrounding patio deck is another fundamental aspect to consider. A timber deck is a handsome, hard-wearing surface that complements most garden settings. It’s a natural material that provides a sympathetic background to plants, blending beautifully with water, stone and trees. Timber lends itself to different styles of architecture and design.
But decks don’t only look good: other advantages include being relatively lightweight in comparison to stone, quick and easy to install, and forgiving. The latter is particularly pertinent if you want your outdoor space to be at one with nature. Couple the deck with stone for a truly sympathetic approach to garden design.
The result is a low-maintenance backyard pool landscape that's functional, calm, and elegant, too.
Shop the look
If you wish to add an intriguing accent to your pool after dark, you'll want to invest in these beautiful floating solar pool lighting. Installing mains-powered lights can be an expensive business. Solar lights can be had for a fraction of the cost, and a huge variety is available.
No poolside is complete without comfortable, stylish lounge seating. Designed using eucalyptus wood and featuring galvanized steel hardware, this piece is sure to withstand outdoor conditions – perfect if you live in colder climates come winter.
This best-selling solar lantern will illuminate dark borders, edges and pathways – and add interest to your plot once the natural light fades. The intricate cut-out design is the star feature and is a guaranteed talking point.
