20201030-dji_0447%201-550?v=1

Outdoor Oasis

Enjoy a Staycation in your Backyard All Year Long

Instead of taking trips abroad, joining community pools or spending money on outside entertainment, many homeowners are now investing in creating resort-like spaces in their own backyards.

Cat in a Hammock, serving Ventura and Los Angeles counties, is a design and build company, which means they design outdoor living spaces and then build them. They can handle virtually any outdoor project from masonry and swimming pools to plants and bocce ball courts.

“One beautiful installation we’ve done recently has been a swimming pool deck with porcelain pavers around a new infinity pool in Ventura,” says Kristina Jones, who runs Cat in a Hammock with her husband, Allen Jones. “The homeowners wanted to re-create their favorite resort in Ojai that they used to go to before COVID hit.

“When it comes to pool designs, there are two different pool shapes: free-form pools and rectangular pools. Free-form pools have a more natural look and a soft classic style. A rectangular pool has a modern look and a clean and elegant feel. Most people add a spa as well. Both pool designs can incorporate playful water spillways, low-voltage mood-lighting and fire-water bowls that add more pizzazz.”

Wood and aluminum pergolas are also very popular, and recently, the company became an authorized dealer and installer of Renson pergolas.

“We’ve been excited to expand into that arena because Renson hasn’t been in this area yet,” she says. “Their stylish design and sleek finish are absolutely gorgeous.

“The roof of the pergola consists of multi-functional aluminum louvers, which can close or open with a remote. The pergola can include sliding wood or glass panels, curtains or integrated fixed screens.”

Cat in a Hammock offers free design consultations. The first step is the discovery interview at a prospective client’s home to gain a better sense of what is envisioned and what the family’s needs are.

“We really try to understand what their lifestyle is,” says Kristina. “We walk the property and we brainstorm.”

Measurements of the backyard are then taken, and afterwards, a 3-D design is created. “During the design process, we re-create their house and use a geographical location of the property, which shows us where the sun sets.

“This is very helpful when we design landscaping because we see which areas are shaded and which get a lot of sun. It also helps with the placement of the swimming pool and lounge space for sunbathing.”

Another key element is the overall flow and feel of the backyard, so homeowners get the most use out of what’s built.

“It’s actually Rule 101 of design that if you put things far away, people tend to use it less” says Kristina. “So, you always want an outdoor kitchen to be closer to the door of the kitchen area in the house. That way you don’t have to carry your food far away to cook it.”

Once the design is finished, there’s a preliminary design review with the client. If any changes are needed, a revision is done, and then a detailed proposal with all the desired elements is formulated.

“The homeowner gets to choose, depending on their budget, if they want to do everything or if they want to do some of it,” she says. “Once a decision is made and all paperwork is completed, the transformation begins. If a project needs permits and engineering, we take care of all of that. We’re truly a one-stop shop for all outdoor living needs.”

To create your own outdoor oasis, contact Cat in a Hammock at 805.263.4200 or visit CatInAHammock.com/.

Related Businesses

The Scobis Company

Doors + Windows

The Scobis Company

Chesterfield, MO

The Scobis Company is the custom wood door specialist in St. Louis, MO. The quality in our craftsmanship combined with the...

Gladstone Furnace & AC Co

Contractors

Gladstone Furnace & AC Co

Gladstone, MO

In a world where most things are temporary and throwaway, a successful business founded in 1948 is a rarity. That’s why...

See More

Related Articles

See More