Before we started the design, this yard was a totally blank space. Our client loved to travel and wanted something completely different from what existed on the property.
They were inspired by places like Santorini and Tulum. The goal wasn’t simply to build a pool or create another outdoor living space. They wanted to walk into their backyard and feel like they had been transported somewhere else.
The existing yard had very little character and didn’t offer many reasons to spend time outside. There wasn’t a strong focal point, there weren’t intimate gathering spaces, and there wasn’t much that created a true resort experience.
Today, the yard is completely transformed to create a space that feels more like a luxury vacation destination than a traditional backyard.
This project started with two places our client loved visiting: Santorini and Tulum.
As we developed the design, we kept coming back to the architecture, materials, and atmosphere that make those destinations feel so memorable. The goal wasn’t to copy them. It was to bring that same feeling home.
You’ll notice it immediately in the material palette. White plaster, water, fire features, lighting, and carefully selected furnishings give the yard that clean Mediterranean resort feel. Then we layered in warmer textures and details that pull from Tulum. Moroccan tile, organic edges, natural materials, and landscaping help soften the space and keep it from feeling overly formal.
As you move through the yard, every area gives you a different experience. One space pulls people together around food and conversation. Another gives you a quiet place to relax. The hidden spa feels completely different from the pool area. Each space has its own personality, but they all feel like they belong to the same resort.
The focal feature in this yard isn’t just a fountain. It’s also a fire feature. And because the family room looks directly out at it, it needed to be something special.
Because the fountain is surrounded by water, it almost feels like its own island. People naturally gravitate toward it. They want to walk over to it, sit around it, and spend time there. The infinity edge means that hte water flows right over the edge, and the fire feature in the center has plus seating around it. During the day, the movement from the water draws your attention. At night, the fire completely changes the feeling of the space.
And, for this, we chose to use blue Moroccan tile. Most of the yard follows a very clean palette with whites and light materials, and adding in that color makes the space really feel like Santorini. Plus, the edges were hand chipped to give it a more organic feeling and connect it back to the rest of the yard.
This yard is full of hidden details, and this entire side of the property is no different.
Tucked along the side of the house is a pickleball court, putting green, and a future pool house that’s currently under construction. It’s another part of the yard that gives the family and their guests something completely different to enjoy.
Some people want to spend their day by the pool. Others want to gather around the kitchen. And some people want to stay active.
That’s what makes this area so fun.
You can step away from the main gathering spaces, play a game of pickleball, spend time on the putting green, and then head right back into the rest of the yard. It all feels connected to the overall experience.
One of the challenges with family-focused design is that some features aren’t always the easiest to incorporate into a luxury outdoor environment. Playsets, playgrounds, and sports areas can feel disconnected from the overall design if they’re treated as an afterthought.
The goal here wasn’t simply to add a play structure. The goal was to make it feel like a part of the entire yard. It’s in its own area of the yard, and is surrounded by with an open lawn, so the entire space feels intentional and elevated.
The pool is another highlight of this yard. And, what makes this one special isn’t necessarily the shape. It’s everything that’s integrated into it. A lot of pools are just one level, rectangle spaces. Here, we introduced layers. The steps create a completely different feeling, and underneath them we added LED lighting that highlights those architectural details at night.
The Baja shelf became another opportunity to carry materials throughout the yard. We used the same Moroccan tile from the fountain, which helps connect the different spaces and makes the shelf feel like part of the overall experience rather than a separate feature.
Lighting plays a huge role, too. The lights reflect across the water, highlight the trees, and completely change the feeling of the pool at night.
And then there are the floating daybeds.
I had to show these because they completely change how people experience the pool. Instead of just looking at the water, you can actually sit out in it. You’re surrounded by water on both sides, looking back across the entire yard. Add the curtains and cushions, and it feels like something you’d find at a luxury resort.
When we design projects, we want people to feel engaged in the space. The lighting, the elevation changes, the Baja shelf, and the floating daybeds all give people different ways to experience the yard.
If you’re the person cooking, making drinks, and making sure everybody is having a good time, this is the space for you.
The California Room was already here, but extending it gave us room to create an entirely different outdoor experience.
What I love about this area is how functional it is. You have sinks, refrigeration, cooling drawers, storage, burners, a grill, and plenty of prep space. Someone can be preparing food, setting out drinks, making pizza, or grilling while still being part of everything happening around them.
Then you have this incredibly long dining table that brings everyone together.
People grab food, grab a drink, pull up a chair, and stay connected to the rest of the yard. That’s what makes this area work so well.
And of course, the pizza oven becomes part of the experience. Pulling a pizza out of the oven, setting it on the table, and gathering everyone around creates the kind of moments people remember.
Having all the practical elements is important, but bringing people together is what really makes this space special.
What’s interesting is that it was hiding in plain sight the entire time. It sits right between the fountain and the pool, but until you walk into it, you don’t fully realize it’s there.
This space feels completely different from the rest of the backyard.
The larger yard is open and social. Here, everything slows down.
We added three walls to create that feeling. Large smooth plaster pillars on either side, a trellis wall overhead, and a covered structure that helps make the space feel private without completely closing it off from the rest of the yard.
One of my favorite details is the candle feature. They’re all hardwired and controlled from a phone, but they look like real candles flickering throughout the space.
The family can sit here with friends, enjoy the privacy, and still feel connected to everything happening around them. That’s what makes this area so unique.
Before we started, this yard looked like the middle of a desert.
Our client wasn’t sure how much potential the property had, but they knew they wanted something that felt completely different from what was there.
Today, the experience couldn’t be more different.
There’s a fire-and-water feature outside the family room. A pool filled with lighting, layers, and floating daybeds. A hidden spa tucked between the fountain and pool. An outdoor kitchen built for entertaining. Sports, recreation, and gathering spaces throughout the property.
Every area gives you a different reason to spend time outside.
What I love most is that it doesn’t feel like you’re standing in your backyard anymore. It feels like you’ve been transported somewhere else.
– Infinity-edge fountain
– Fire and water focal point
– Moroccan tile detailing
– Baja shelf
– Illuminated pool steps
– Integrated pool lighting
– Floating daybeds
– Poolside drapery
– Resort-style furnishings
– California Room
– Outdoor kitchen
– Oversized dining table
– Pizza oven
– Cooling drawers
– Grill station
– Refrigeration
– Hidden spa
– Private spa courtyard
– Smooth plaster pillars
– Trellis canopy wall
– Smart candle feature
– Pickleball court
– Putting green
– Future pool house
– Custom landscape lighting
– Resort-style accessories
Our clients love to travel, so we brought the resort home with this luxury backyard makeover. We had a budget of $1M+ and we completely transformed the outdoor space into a serene retreat with hidden features and organic modern vibes. The combination of natural materials and organic shapes makes you feel like you’re at a resort in Tulum and the dreamy Santorini-blue tiles instantly transport you to the beaches of Greece. We couldn’t be happier with the finished yard and all of the magical details that brought it to life.
Whether you’re inspired by places you’ve traveled or simply want an outdoor space that feels completely different from everyday life, our team can help bring that vision to life. Book a free design consultation call to get started.
Founder & Creative Director
Founder Justin Fox grew up with a passion for landscaping. After more than 15 years building luxury yards and pools as a licensed contractor, he saw an opportunity to approach outdoor spaces with the same level of planning and design that homeowners expect from their homes.
In 2019, he launched Foxterra with his brother Nate to focus on immersive outdoor environments that blend architecture, landscape, and lifestyle into one cohesive vision.
For this yard, Justin explores how inspiration from destinations like Santorini and Tulum can be translated into a backyard experience through water, fire, lighting, furnishings, and spaces designed to make people feel like they've been transported somewhere else.
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We can’t wait to start exploring the potential in your yard.
Here’s what to expect next:
You’ll hear from our team within 24-48 business hours to schedule your free Design Consultation Call. You’ll get the chance to tell us more about your project and what you’re looking for in your new private resort.
If you have any questions before then, send us an email at: connect@foxterradesign.com
We require a minimum construction budget of $200,000, so unfortunately, we don’t have a design package that fits your needs at this time.
Feel free to reach out with any questions connect@foxterradesign.com and we’d love to stay connected on social media. Follow us @foxterradesign on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for a look at our latest designs.
