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Aerial view of the completed East Shady Lane backyard renovation in Memorial Houston, with a freeform pool and round spa set in creamy white travertine decking beside lounge seating, new turf, and evergreen screening along the fence line
Memorial

East Shady Lane: Pool Surround and Drainage in Memorial

Tucked into Houston’s Memorial area, the East Shady Lane project transformed an aging backyard and pool environment into a cohesive outdoor retreat designed around entertaining, privacy, drainage, and long-term durability.

NeighborhoodMemorial
Project TypeComplete Backyard & Pool Renovation
DesignerTony
Investment$200,000+
TagsRenovations, Hardscape, Drainage, Landscape Design, Pools
01 — Overview

The renovation centered around a complete rebuild of the outdoor living surfaces surrounding the existing pool. Approximately 2,200 square feet of creamy white travertine was installed throughout the backyard, creating a brighter and more refined foundation while visually connecting the pool, spa, lounge areas, and home.

Design Approach

A major component of the project involved correcting the property’s drainage and grading. The existing outdoor areas directed water toward the home, so the site was re-graded and a comprehensive drainage system was incorporated, including a full-length channel drain and French drains connected into the property’s drainage system. The result is a backyard designed to move stormwater away from the home while maintaining the clean appearance of the finished hardscape.

The pool environment was extensively renovated with new coping and tile, while a low CMU retaining wall carries the material palette into the surrounding lounge area. Landscape rock, new turf areas, and evergreen screening soften the large expanses of stone and create separation and privacy around the property.

The finished project brings the entire backyard together as one integrated outdoor environment—combining upgraded pool finishes, extensive hardscape, drainage infrastructure, landscaping, and usable entertaining space into a resort-style setting designed for everyday living.

02 — Features
  • 012,200 SF Travertine Hardscape
  • 02Pool Coping & Tile Renovation
  • 03Complete Drainage & Regrading
  • 04French Drain System
  • 05Full-Length Channel Drain
  • 06CMU Retaining Wall
  • 07Zoysia Sod
  • 08Landscape Rock
  • 09Evergreen Privacy Screening
  • 10Pool & Spa Renovation
03 — Walkthrough

Walk the project.

Watch on YouTube
04 — Gallery

The finished renovation.

Houston travertine pool deck after renovation, with the freeform pool and round spa framed by creamy white travertine, a natural rock water feature, and palms at the rear of the property
05 — Before

Where it started.

The property as we found it, before design and construction began.

The East Shady Lane backyard before renovation seen from directly overhead, with the original pool and spa ringed by aging concrete decking, bare soil, and overgrown planting beds
Before
Memorial Houston pool before renovation, with the freeform pool and rock water feature surrounded by weathered broom-finished concrete decking and mature landscaping
Before
Bare, washed-out ground between the fence line and the pool ahead of the regrading and drainage work on the East Shady Lane outdoor living project
Before
The original circular concrete patio and brick edging at the rear of the house before the Memorial Houston backyard renovation, with worn lawn at its edges
Before
The existing pool and round spa before renovation, showing the dated coping and waterline tile and the original concrete deck running back to the house
Before
The existing concrete pool deck and spa before the East Shady Lane renovation, looking back toward the rear doors of the home
Before
06 — Before & After

The transformation.

The same Memorial Houston backyard after renovation, with roughly 2,200 square feet of travertine decking, a renovated pool and spa, new turf, and landscape rock borders
The East Shady Lane property before renovation, viewed from above, with the original pool, spreading concrete decking, and bare ground behind the house
BeforeAfter
07 — Related Projects

More work.

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