The villa was previously landscaped with some tiling and grass upgrades.

However, Milestone’s design brief was to enhance the outdoor space considering the client’s lifestyle and their desire to entertain.

We re-designed the outdoor space, envisioning a flexible design that would allow the backyard to be used by the family, as well as creating a space that would work equally well for entertaining.

To make the most of the outdoor area, Milestone enhanced the pool surrounds with elegant wall features and redesigned the side yard with pathways and subtle lighting.

As the swimming pool was an important visual element, viewed from all the major living spaces within the house, we focused our efforts on enhancing the pool surrounds.

We replaced the large expanse of conventional green grass with outdoor porcelain pavers in an earthy tone to complement the exterior house color. Porcelain tiles are extremely durable in Dubai’s harsh weather conditions and are easy to maintain. Furthermore, the variation in color tone gave the paved space a natural look and feel.

In addition, the large paved space allowed us to place relaxing lounge chairs around the pool for family use and also created a finished, elegant-looking outdoor space for hosting parties.

A view of the backyard after the landscape was upgraded

The tall property line walls provided a great design opportunity, extending from the side yard through to the back garden.

We decided to combine rich-colored wood to offset the neutral boundary walls. Horizontal wood panels were mounted on the adjacent pool wall and softened with green planting.

This wood treatment continued through to the side yard walls, where we used a mahogany-colored vertical wood pattern to add a depth of color and provide a visually pleasing backdrop for the layered planting.

As with the back, the grass in the side yard was replaced with porcelain pavers, providing continuity from front to back and tying the entire landscape together.

In the side yard, linear squares of white gravel oriented the pathway parallel to the house. They were used to provide some relief from the paving and planted with colorful, low-lying portulaca grandiflora for  an added pop of color.

Tucked into the space created by the shape of the home, is the heart of the garden: the gazebo. Constructed of waterproof materials, it is attached to the house to form an outdoor extension that opens up to the rear garden space.

The old wooden pergola was demolished and a new one erected in its place.

The clients can access the outdoor seating directly from the house. The gazebo is enclosed by the house walls and opens up to views of the pool, glimpsed through a pair of wooden columns.

Constructed of waterproof materials, the family can comfortably use this indoor-outdoor, transitional seating area year round.

Even during the rains, the furniture and seating remain dry, owing to the waterproof roof covering. Dubai winters can be very foggy; the resulting morning dew is quite damaging to outdoor furniture.

Furthermore, the protected seating area remains free of dust, sand and wind debris during the harsh summer months.

Attached to the house, the intimate gazebo is detailed with rich-colored wooden elements that tie into the wood used on the property walls. The porcelain pavers used throughout the garden continue through to the flooring of the gazebo, creating a strong indoor/outdoor connection.  This attention to detail elevates the design of the home and its surrounding landscape.

The enclosed gazebo also  offers a great space for entertaining. The furniture is light, durable and movable, offering the flexibility that was envisioned for the landscape design.

A view of the backyard before

A view of the backyard after the landscape was upgraded

Before views of the side yard

After views of the side yard

View of the old pergola structure

View of the newly-constructed, waterproof pergola