Upper Valley Retreat Project in Texas.
GO Designs reimagined this mid-century courtyard as a serene desert-modern retreat, with travertine paths leading to a pool and spa framed by flowering beds and native plantings. A fire feature, cedar pergola, and subtle lighting create inviting, restful spaces, while efficient irrigation and thoughtful plantings keep maintenance simple. The result is a harmonious, vibrant sanctuary that blends water, foliage, and light with lasting elegance.
Construction Year
2012
Services Provided
pool, spa, pergolas, fire features, horticulture, lighting design, masonry
Location
Upper Valley, El Paso, Texas
GO Designs recast this mid-century courtyard in a crisp desert modern design, laying a cool ribbon of travertine that guides visitors from a refreshed front lawn to a secluded rear poolscape. Rain-darkened adobe arches now overlook flowering beds edged with chiseled sandstone, where hummingbirds flit among zinnias, salvia, and feathery ornamental grasses. Drifts of lavender sage deliver a clean herbal scent that rides every breeze. A new irrigation network drinks sparingly, leaving the air faintly earthy after summer monsoons. Beyond iron gates, a palm canopy frames the water feature sequence.
The raised spa cascades into a geometric pool, its glass-green surface mirroring evening clouds while hidden jets whisper a low, calming hiss. Four wrought-iron chairs encircle a mosaic-topped fire feature, their seats warming as blue-amber flames crackle against nightfall. Under a cedar pergola, cushioned lounge chairs invite the soft touch of desert breezes; integrated LED lighting bathes vine-covered posts in honeyed glow without stealing the stars. Hardscape crews set each travertine paver on a laser-leveled caliche base, guaranteeing a barefoot-friendly finish that stays temperate even at one hundred degrees.
Italian cypress sentinels stand behind the pool wall, directing the eye upward while preserving privacy. Low-voltage path lights trace a subtle line to the driveway, where native shrubs and a youthful mesquite define the smart curb appeal prized in El Paso landscaping circles. Meticulous scheduling, on-site masonry, and horticulture expertise allowed the construction team to finish in under five months, minimizing disruption to neighborhood rhythms. The result balances water, flame, and foliage in a composition that feels both vibrant and restful. With programmable filtration and drip zones, ongoing upkeep remains simple, ensuring GO Designs will stay a trusted steward of this retreat for seasons to come.
