The Art of Outdoor Living in Los Angeles
HANNAH A · MAY 22, 2025
Defining the Space: Architecture First
Before any tile is selected or pool is poured, we start with proportion, flow, and spatial identity. Is the pool a focal point framed by arches and sightlines? Is it tucked into a private courtyard, or does it stretch along a view? We let architecture lead. Every outdoor remodel begins by honoring the bones of the home — whether it’s a Spanish Revival with curved parapets or a soft-edged Organic Modern bungalow.
Design Tip: Use architectural elements like built-in benches, tiered retaining walls, or arched porticos to visually frame your pool area.
Pool Shapes with Purpose
The shape of the pool should align with the style of the home:
Rectilinear Pools work beautifully with modern, minimalist structures. Clean lines enhance visual calm and echo the symmetry of the home.
Curved or Freeform Pools soften traditional or Spanish-inspired exteriors, mimicking natural bodies of water.
Plunge Pools & Courtyard Dips are perfect for smaller footprints, offering luxury without compromising design.
We lean on natural materials — hand-troweled plaster interiors, travertine coping, or terracotta-colored concrete — to maintain warmth and timelessness.
Design Tip: Consider a baja shelf or built-in bench for lounging without disrupting the pool’s silhouette.
Materials Matter: Earthy, Enduring, Elevated
In every ENE outdoor space, texture and tone play a leading role. We avoid shiny or over-manufactured surfaces in favor of materials that patina gracefully over time:
Limestone or tumbled marble for pool decking
Smooth stucco or limewash on privacy walls
Natural wood for pergolas, often left raw to silver with age
The goal? A sensory palette that feels rooted in place, with quiet luxury at its core.
Design Tip: Choose materials that connect the indoor and outdoor spaces — same stone, same plaster finish, or complementary wood tones.
Layering the Landscape
Plants are not filler — they are part of the architecture. We design with:
Olive trees, rosemary, lavender, and sage for Mediterranean structure
Native grasses and succulents for texture and water conservation
Gravel beds and decomposed granite pathways for softness underfoot
Lighting is equally intentional. We favor low, warm lighting that mimics candlelight — never too bright, always inviting.
Design Tip: Create small garden “moments” in unused corners — a water feature, a fire bowl, or a bench beneath a tree.
Built-In Features for Daily Luxury
A true outdoor remodel goes beyond the pool. We build:
Outdoor showers with handmade tile and copper fixtures
Kitchens in Roman clay
Fireplaces and lounge zones with layered seating and shade
We believe luxury is in the details — like custom storage for pool towels, dimmable lighting built into the hardscape, or subtle speaker systems that vanish into the walls.
Design Tip: Invest in one custom element that feels personal — a handmade tile mural, a bespoke water feature, or artisan lighting.
Contact us today for a consultation and let us show you how we can transform your vision into a space you will love.
ENE BUILDERS | LA + OC Remodeling
Family owned affordable design+build firm
Specializing in Spanish revival , Modern Mediterranean Organic Design
From A-Z: Architecture | Design | General Contractor | Showroom Details obsessed + Planning perfection
