RESORT LIFE

AN ANDOVER BACKYARD IS TRANSFORMED INTO A STAYCATION HAVEN

-  Nancy A. Ruhling

THE BACKYARD, ONCE A SERENE SWATH OF GREEN, has taken on the status of a luxury entertainment center, complete with swimming pools, spas, water features, patios, and even elaborate outdoor kitchens. These staycation areas have all the cachet and bells and whistles of five-star resorts and are so cleverly designed that they blend in with their surroundings, beautifully merging indoor and outdoor spaces.

Whether these lush landscapes are elaborate or simple, they all put the pool center stage.

In the case of a newly constructed modern farmhouse in Andover, the plunge pool, although small, makes quite a splash.

The homeowner had a very specific vision for his dream landscape: In addition to a patio and grilling area, he wanted a small plunge pool with an automatic cover and a waterfall that complements the aesthetic and architecture of his house.

"It's a large backyard, and he wanted to leave enough green space to kick around a soccer ball," says Karen Larson, the cofounder of Soake Pools, which is based in New England. "People always think that small pools are for small yards, but that's not the case at all."