Poolside patio paradise!

This poolside patio makes great use of the space. A Villa Landscapes designer worked with a homeowner in Savage, Minn., to select Willow Creek paving stones and VERSA-LOK retaining walls to create this spacious poolside patio.

Willow Creek Slatestone paving stones in Patina were selected to create the patio surrounding the pool as well as the other patio spaces. The pavers' integral grays, blues and sienna look stunning with the sparkling blue pool waters.

Contrasting soldier courses define the pool deck of textured concrete plus the seating area surrounding the Willow Creek Fire Pit Kit. An exterior pool drainage system was installed within the interlocking paving stones to catch water from swimmers as they exit the pool.

Since the back yard had a hill, the homeowner needed retaining walls as well as fencing to protect the pool area. Villa designers created a beautiful tiered arrangement using VERSA-LOK Standard in Prairie Tan with matching stepped caps to transition down the slope.

The versatile VERSA-LOK retaining wall units serve double-duty -- to protect the hill from erosion and to add seating and planting areas. The bottom tier has ample area for perennials that are surrounded by a rich, natural mulch, which will add nutrients to the soil. And the upper tier of the retaining wall utilized river rock mulch to surround the shrubbery.