How BACQYARD Transformed a Miami Water Front Home into a Lush Tropical Oasis for Family Living

The Martinez Family's Dream Come True

Nestled along the serene canals of Miami Beach, the Martinez family's residence is a modern home with untapped potential in its outdoor spaces. With two toddlers and a lively golden retriever, they envision transforming their plain backyard and front yard into a lush, functional, and enchanting tropical paradise. They dream of a space where their children can play safely, their dog can roam freely without digging up dirt, and where they can host friends and family for unforgettable gatherings under the Miami sun.

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"We wanted our backyard to feel very charming by turning it into a tropical oasis. It's important that there isn't any dirt in our backyard because our dog rolls around in it and likes to dig. We wanted to maximize our space for kids to play, allow our dog to run, and create areas for hosting guests and sitting outside."

Challenges

When the Martinez family reached out to BACQYARD, they faced several obstacles in realizing their dream outdoor space:

Underutilized and Plain Outdoor Spaces

• Lack of Functionality: The existing backyard features a basic pool with a safety fence, a small patio area with a wooden picnic table, and minimal landscaping. The front yard is modern but plain, lacking charm and offering little functionality.
• Limited Play Areas: There is insufficient space for the children to play safely and for the dog to roam without causing messes. The dog often digs in the dirt, leading to constant clean-ups and maintenance headaches.
• Minimal Aesthetic Appeal: The outdoor spaces lack the lush, tropical feel the family desires. The vegetation is sparse, and the design doesn't reflect the vibrant Miami atmosphere.

"Making it more functional and charming was the single most important thing we wanted to change about our outdoor space."

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Maintenance and Safety Concerns

• High Maintenance Needs: With busy lives and young children, the family needs a low-maintenance solution that is both baby-proof and pet-friendly.
• Safety Issues: The backyard has a dark safety fence around the pool, which is necessary but visually unappealing. There is also a need to baby-proof the entire outdoor area to ensure the toddlers can play safely.
• Drainage Problems: The side of the house experiences flooding during rains due to poor drainage, posing a risk to their property and limiting usability.

"We have drainage issues on the side of our house where water floods when it rains and doesn't drain into the ground. This not only affects the usability of our space but also raises concerns about property damage."

Maximizing Property Potential

• Desire for Lush Landscaping: The family wants plants with large tropical leaves and pops of color—greens, yellows, blues, purples, pinks, reds, and oranges—to create a vibrant and enchanting atmosphere.
• Functional Additions: They are interested in incorporating elements like a new deck, pergola, turf, driveway enhancements, a sidewalk, fire pit, dock furnishings, landscaping improvements, and a front gate.

How BACQYARD Created a Tropical Oasis with Family in Mind

BACQYARD approached the Martinez family's project with a focus on combining functionality, safety, and aesthetic appeal to create a design plan that meets all their needs.

Collaborative Design Process

• Understanding the Vision: BACQYARD's design team began by thoroughly reviewing the family's preferences, needs, and the existing conditions of the property. They paid close attention to the desire for a naturalistic design with informal shapes, curves, rectangles, rustic elements, raised beds, tiers/steps, and sunken areas.
• Incorporating Family and Pet Needs: Recognizing the importance of creating safe play areas for the toddlers and the golden retriever, the team planned for high-quality turf installations to eliminate dirt and prevent the dog from digging.

"We needed to worry about baby-proofing and ensuring our dog couldn't dig up the yard."

Transformative Landscaping and Hardscaping

• Lush Tropical Vegetation: The design includes a variety of tropical plants with large leaves and vibrant colors to create the desired oasis. Palm trees, ferns, flowering shrubs, and other tropical flora are strategically placed to enhance privacy and aesthetic appeal.
• Functional Turf Areas: High-quality, durable turf is planned for both the front and back yards, providing clean, safe areas for the children to play and the dog to roam. This will eliminate dirt patches and reduce maintenance.

"It's important that there isn't any dirt in my backyard because my dog rolls around in the dirt and likes to dig."

Enhanced Entertainment and Relaxation Spaces

• Pool Area Redesign: The existing pool will be enhanced with a new deck and surrounding lounge areas. The safety fence will be updated to be more aesthetically pleasing while ensuring child safety.
• Addition of Structures: A pergola is planned to create a shaded outdoor dining area, complete with a table that seats up to eight guests, perfect for hosting meals and BBQs.
• Fire Pit Installation: A cozy fire pit area is designed for family gatherings and entertaining friends, adding warmth and ambiance to the outdoor space.
• Dock Furnishing: The existing dock will be furnished with comfortable seating and outdoor furniture, creating another area for relaxation and enjoying the canal views.

"We love hosting BBQs and meals for friends"

Aesthetic and Functional Enhancements

• Driveway and Front Yard Transformation: The driveway will be upgraded with large square concrete pavers with grass growing between them, creating an eco-friendly and visually appealing approach. The front yard landscaping will be enhanced with tropical plants and a charming front gate.
• Use of Natural Materials: The design incorporates materials like gravel, marble, limestone, wood, flagstone, slate, rocks, and boulders to create a rustic yet elegant feel.
• Lighting and Irrigation: Landscape lighting is included to enhance the ambiance during evenings, and the existing sprinkler system will be optimized to accommodate the new plantings and turf areas.

Curious about how to design landscape lighting? Check out our detailed guide on landscape lighting solutions.

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Addressing Maintenance and Drainage

• Low-Maintenance Solutions: The selection of plants and materials is made with low maintenance in mind, given the family's busy lifestyle and lack of interest in gardening.
• Drainage Solutions: BACQYARD is implementing effective drainage systems on the side of the house to resolve the flooding issue, ensuring the property remains dry and usable even after heavy rains.

Safety and Accessibility

• Baby-Proof Designs: All areas are designed to be safe for the toddlers, with secure fencing around the pool and play areas, and materials chosen to prevent slips and falls.
• Pet-Friendly Features: Materials and designs are selected to prevent the dog from digging and to withstand pet wear and tear.

With the comprehensive design plan in place, the Martinez family is excited to work towards transforming their outdoor space into a functional, safe, and stunning tropical oasis.

Client Testimonials

"BACQYARD took our vision and made it real. Their focus on detail and dedication to our family's needs were outstanding. Now, we have a clear plan to create a beautiful, functional outdoor space that feels like a permanent vacation spot."

Why Choose BACQYARD

BACQYARD specializes in transforming outdoor spaces into personalized paradises. Here's why clients like the Martinez family trust us with their homes:

• Customized Designs: Tailored solutions that reflect your unique needs, style preferences, and budget.
• Expert Team: Professional designers and landscapers with extensive experience in creating functional and beautiful outdoor spaces.
• Quality Materials: Use of high-quality, durable materials that enhance aesthetics and longevity.
• Client-Centered Approach: Collaboration with clients throughout the process to ensure satisfaction and exceed expectations.
• Comprehensive Services: From design to installation, including addressing challenges like drainage and maintenance concerns.