Designing an outdoor living space can include as much artistic flare and color as desired. From stone wall sidings to flower beds, creative possibilities are endless. Custom glass tiling is a luxurious and beautiful way to add splashes of color and tie in the outdoor design. Even the least artistic elements – like a BBQ – can be transformed into a flowing piece of backyard art through glass tiling. This custom design feature will leave jaws dropped and home owners proud of their one-of-a-kind outdoor living space.
Luke and Amy Denny of Alpentile lay each glass tile by hand and take great pride in their work. They love working with glass tile, especially in pools and spas. In aquatic environments, iridescence equals show-stopping eye candy. Successfully installing these luxurious materials in Arizona’s harsh climate is Luke’s specialty, demanding his technical expertise, his passion for perfecting aesthetics – oh yes, and a good dose of patience.
Inspired by soaking tubs of Morocco, this all-glass tile spa is a sparkling gem. One of Alpentile’s signature details is the handmade mosaic murals Amy Denny creates for areas like this spa floor. She says, “We think about how our tile layout can add to the design. For example, if the spa is round, we will make sure our mosaics accentuate that feature by including a radial medallion.”
Customized templates are fabricated for each project in order to achieve full-tile layout. Specialized mosaic trim pieces wrap corners for a safe edge profile. Another signature detail in the spa is the seat back – a single row of tile at a 45-degree angle to catch reflective sunlight. “We continuously experiment with our installation details so our clients can experience the full artistic potential of these luxury products,” Luke Denny explains.
A 25-foot long, raised water feature is a focal point of the pool renovation. The undulating face of this fountain is clad in over 900 decorative glass tiles, each individually set by hand. These ‘Mini-Extrados’ by Oceanside Glasstile create the illusion of a woven textile, producing soft ripples as water overflows.
Landscape designer Wendy Lesueur of Wendy Lesueur Design thoughtfully added glass tile accents throughout the hardscape– in areas like the BBQ face, around the base of a swim-up bar, and on a sweet little planter, nestled in a secluded corner of the yard. Guests can truly relax in this luxurious backyard retreat.
Participants/Credits
Tile Installation/Design: Luke and Amy Denny, Alpentile.
Pool and Landscape Design: Wendy Lesueur, Wendy Lesueur Design
General Contractor: Mark Coble, Coble Construction
Tile: Oceanside Glasstile
Photo Credit: Michael Woodall
