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The existing pool at Denise and Jamie Marchesano’s home prompted their backyard makeover.
Continued from p. 92 Lynx gas side burners and a Hasty Bake Fiesta charcoal grill for their outdoor kitchen appliances. A large stainless steel sink and fixture from Ferguson Enterprises Inc. complete the kitchen. The Garmakers love hosting dinner parties for family and guests around a large farmhouse dining table from Restoration Hardware. A casual living area sits opposite the kitchen, anchored by a large fireplace made of chopped hackett stone and big enough to heat the entire living and kitchen area. Large cabinetry flanks both sides of the fireplace, one of which discreetly hides the television, which can be seen from the kitchen, living area or pool. Furniture from Jack Wills, appointed with brightly colored cushions and pillows, provides ample seating for casual gatherings around the fireplace and TV. A Restoration Hardware coffee table reminiscent of an old factory cart adds to the Americana charm. JP Construction remodeled the existing hot tub, which completes the back yard’s rustic retreat amenities. John Pitezel designed its 94
TulsaPeople JUNE 2013
A firepit provides a cozy space to relax.
waterfall feature, including the stonework and copper scuppers (drains), which were manufactured by Southern Sheet Metal of Tulsa.
Resort living at home Jamie and Denise Marchesano wanted resort living in their own Bixby back yard. They already had a pool, but it alone fell short of their desire for a space where they could relax, entertain and enjoy down time without having to travel to a vacation home.
They also needed to solve a problem. Poor drainage often meant rainwater and mud ran onto the patio and into the pool. That’s where the couple’s back yard makeover began. Oklahoma Landscape solved the Marchesanos’ drainage problem by installing spot drains on the pool deck and building a rock wall that is as much an architectural feature as it is a water barrier. “We worked very hard to install proper drainage on the pool deck and then to manage the (rainwater) overflow from the neighbor’s property,” says Project Manager Mark McCoy. “That wall acts as two things. It gives you a good natural detail but also creates a swale that pushes the rainwater behind the property. It was a bit of an engineering feat, but we got it to work well.” During the wall’s construction, it became evident that a water feature — one where water cascades down the rocks — would highlight the organic beauty of the stone wall. However, the homeowners didn’t want the maintenance hassle of an open water feature, so Oklahoma Landscape installed an underground reservoir