Blue Ember Retreat

GO Designs transforms a compact suburban lot into a shimmering retreat that distills desert modern design into water, flame, and timber. A pergola of rough-sawn beams throws geometric shadows across electric-blue spa water, where built-in jets hiss and steam against the cool evening air. Just steps away, a masonry outdoor kitchen anchors al fresco feasts, its smoker sending a faint mesquite aroma that mingles with the crackle of a circular fire feature rimmed in buttery limestone. Flagstone pads float over chihuahuan gravel to guide bare feet between gathering zones, while low-voltage lighting design tucks beneath bench edges and pergola rafters, keeping sightlines clear of glare. Crisp cedar privacy screens temper West Texas wind, double as a warm backdrop, and hide utilities without fuss. Artificial turf rings the spa for season-long greenery and minimal upkeep, echoing GO Designs’ commitment to resource-smart El Paso landscaping. Every detail favors sensory delight and durability: rust-resistant steel posts, a high-efficiency spa pump, and drainage basins hidden beneath seating. The layout stacks functions efficiently—soaking, grilling, dining, and storytelling by fire—yet leaves generous breathing room for future agave accents. With seamless hardscape installation and masonry craft, the space glows long after sunset, blue jets glimmering against ember light. Custom cedar benches cantilever over gravel mulch, offering tactile warmth and resisting splintering under desert sun. An integrated mist line concealed along pergola beams drops air temperature by up to ten degrees during August highs, while dimmable LEDs encourage lingering conversation. Subsurface conduit future-proofs the site for audio or irrigation lines, affirming GO Designs’ habit of planning three steps ahead. Cedar screens dampen pump hum, and the smooth concrete slab swallows footfall. Every surface sheds stormwater toward a hidden acequia-style channel, returning precious drops to native beds beyond the fence.

Construction Year
2017
Services Provided
masonry, spa, pergolas, outdoor kitchen, fire features, lighting design, hardscape installation
PROJECT LOCATION
Texas
Design / Build
YES