​ These clients had a dream of a pool in their backyard. When they contacted Tussey Landscaping for a design and build, our Team put together a comprehensive pool and patio design; integrated into the natural slope of their backyard. Complete with a paver stone pool area, outdoor lighting, and landscaping, their swimming pool dream turned into a backyard paradise! 

Our crew arrived the first day to this grassy slope, waiting transformation. With a design in hand and a vision in mind, our experienced construction crew began excavation for what would become the pool area. 

This Rosetta wall was the foundation for the entire project. This Faux stone wall would shape the lower edge of the pool deck. Once this lower retaining wall was in place, the excavation for the pool could be finalized, and the fiberglass pool could be set. 

With the pool in place, work moved to shaping the upper walls of the pool area and incorporating steps, walkways, and patios. Rosetta steps were used to create the stairway ascending from the pool area to the house. The pool deck was created using Techo Bloc Blu 60 pavers. These Harvest Gold colored pavers were accented with Techo Bloc Villagio pavers. The Pool coping was made using Techo Bloc York Cap. This wet cast product has a smooth top, with a chiseled stone face. 

After weeks of work, the hardscape was finally completed, and it was time to focus on tying all the softscapes together. Trees, shrubs and perennials would be planted in the flower beds around the pool area. Amp low voltage LED lighting was incorporated into the entire area, allowing the pool to be used day or night.  Our crew hydroseeded the new lawn areas around the pool. This was the final task, to repair the lawn first torn up over a month ago. When our crew left, this paradise was ready to be enjoyed!

If you want to learn more about this project, or are interested in starting a conversation about your own backyard paradise, contact us today. 

This home was constructed beside a meandering mountain stream. Years ago, another contractor created a pond beside the house and created waterfalls in the stream beside the house. When the homeowners contacted us, the pond and stream were badly needing an upgrade. The pond needed dredged, and the stream was beyond repair; the liner was deteriorated, and all waterfalls needed rebuilt. Tussey's team arrived to remove all remnants of the old stream and start again at the beginning. 

Our team faced numerous rainstorms during this project; some quite severe. From beginning to end mud was an obstacle to be overcome. However, the team pushed on, and in spite of the muck and rain, demolition was soon complete and it new construction could begin. The stream was diverted away from the work area, and boulders, rock and liner were brought in to begin building. 

Soon, we had created a solid base for the last waterfall, that would fall into the pond. A pump vault was created to house three Aquascape pumps. These pumps would recirculate water from the pond back through the waterfalls beside the house. This would give the owners the capability increase the natural flow of water streaming past their house. If rains brought the water level in the stream up, or if they wanted to quiet the brook outside their windows, a flip of the switch would stop these pumps. 

While our goal was to make this natural stream more beautiful, or crew also knew that it had to be able to handle a high volume of water that comes with the downpours of this area. As construction moved forward, these two requirements of function and beauty were the two guideposts of the process. Machines were brought in, and rock after rock was placed in the new stream. These sandstone giants would frame the waterfalls, and the meandering of the stream itself. 

​As this project started to fall together, everyone was excited with the final product. The new waterfalls were visible from the house, and projected the peaceful sound of water up to the house. With the pumps running, this newly created babbling brook became its own instant attraction. Our team also dredged out the years of accumulated silt in the pond. Sandstone boulders were placed around the perimeter of the pond to shape and define its edges. 

With the pond finished, there were only details to be completed. Underwater lights were added to all the waterfalls and stream areas. Landscape details were finished up around the pond and stream, and grass was replanted. The only thing that was yet to be discovered, was the question of the new stream's ability to handle the flood waters of a Pennsylvania rain storm. We were able to watch firsthand the effects of a washout on the new construction. 

This project took over two weeks to complete, but our crew enjoyed the challenge of transforming this aged water feature into an new paradise. 

If you want to learn more about this project, or are interested in starting a conversation about your own backyard  paradise: