Luxury Traditional Swimming Pool Ideas and Designs
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Tim Barber ArchitectsFurnishings by Tineke Triggs of Artistic Designs for Living. Photography by Laura Hull.
Pool Environments, Inc.Originally designed by one of the most notable landscape architects in town, this once impressive project had faltered in recent years. The pool and spa still functioned well, and the client wanted to keep it intact. In addition, they wanted to keep as much of the existing landscaping as possible. The surrounding decks, walls, and steps were fair game. At first glance, one might think that our changes were simple material changes. Upon closer inspection, however, one can see the subtle, yet transformative changes that come together to update this classic pool in a tasteful, timeless manner, and improve the flow and usability of the deck areas, while softening the feel of the massive hardscape.
The subtle changes begin as soon as you walk out the back door of the house. The existing decking had a lot of what we call “tweeners”; areas that are overly generous walkways, yet not large enough to house furniture. The awkwardly small bluestone patio was expanded to accommodate a generous seating area, by pushing the step-down closer to the pool. Our talented stone mason carefully married the new bluestone into the existing, resulting in an imperceptible difference between the two. As you descend the new bluestone steps to the pool level, your bare feet will be thankful for the new smooth-finished limestone colored concrete, with a hand cut pattern carefully etched into its surface. The old red brick decking was so hot that the owners could not walk around the pool in bare feet. The brick coping was also replaced with an eased edge Pennsylvania Premier Stone which matches the new step treads throughout the project. Between the house and the pool, a large raised planter was reconfigured, giving additional space to the pool deck for a shaded lounge chair area.
Across the pool, a bank of rather tall painted brick retaining walls were cut down, shortened, and moved. This lessened the visual impact of the walls, which were rather overwhelming in the space, as well as opening up a new seating area, nestled under the arms of the massive pecan at the back of the property. Rather than continuing solid decking around the entire pool, the area near these walls has been transformed to large stone stepper pads set in a sea of beautiful St. Augustine lawn. This creates a visually softened area that is still suited to setting tables and chairs when the guest list calls for additional seating.
The spa area is quite possibly the most dramatic change on this project. Yet more raised planter walls divided this area into awkward spaces, unsuited to proper furniture placement. The planters were removed, new stone decks, once again expertly married into the existing, opening the area to house a large dining table and new built in bbq area. The spa itself was re-imagined with the bluestone coping, and painted brick veneer. The most impressive addition though is the new handmade glazed tiles that surround the existing cast stone water feature. This water feature was almost unnoticeable against the painted brick wall, but now the dramatic arch and pop of color draw the eye to this quaint little corner of the property.
London Swimming Pool CompanyThis chic ground-floor integrated pool and spa gets brilliant natural light from the surrounding windows and looks out onto expansive grounds. The lighting is a key feature in this elegant pool hall, from the daylight to the 3x3w Wibre underwater lighting in the pool to the grand ceiling illumination, which can be adjusted to create different moods. The client has an inviting space where the family can exercise, have fun and relax.
The pool is 13.5m x 4.20m. The shallow end is 1.5m in depth falling to 2m at the deep-end. The pool sports an Astral neck-jet water cannon on each side of the pool – these create strong waterfalls which are visually striking and fun to swim under. Steps on both sides of the spa lead into the pool. The 2.1m diameter spa accommodates five bathers, has an extended seatback and footwell – at seating level, the water depth is approximately 0.5 metres. Multiple jets deliver stimulating and soothing massages via standard air/water mix jets.
The same bespoke tiling design runs throughout the spa and pool. Large format porcelain tiles in a travertine design were cut to mosaic size and affixed to a backing sheet. To give the tiling extra pizzazz, different shades of beige and brown tiles were combined.
Completing the pool is an Ocea automatic slatted pool cover installed in a recess floor. The pool cover mechanism is hidden under a structural false floor panel, which is completely blended into the pool finish. The pool cover is a light beige colour, matching the client-designed pool surround which is made of bespoke porcelain tiles. The pool cover helps to minimise running and maintenance costs as well as providing added safety by closing-off the pool when it is not in use. When not in use, the spa is also closed-off using a Certikin Thermalux foam throw-on cover.
There is an equally impressive plant room located directly beneath the pool.
Awards: SPATA Gold Award – Inground Residential Spas & Wellness Category & SPATA Bronze Award – Residential Indoor Pool 2018
Partners: Architect: Studio Indigo. Main Contractor: Knightbuild.
Photographer: Peter Northall
Greey PickettThe landscape of this home honors the formality of Spanish Colonial / Santa Barbara Style early homes in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix. By re-grading the lot and allowing for terraced opportunities, we featured a variety of hardscape stone, brick, and decorative tiles that reinforce the eclectic Spanish Colonial feel. Cantera and La Negra volcanic stone, brick, natural field stone, and handcrafted Spanish decorative tiles are used to establish interest throughout the property.
A front courtyard patio includes a hand painted tile fountain and sitting area near the outdoor fire place. This patio features formal Boxwood hedges, Hibiscus, and a rose garden set in pea gravel.
The living room of the home opens to an outdoor living area which is raised three feet above the pool. This allowed for opportunity to feature handcrafted Spanish tiles and raised planters. The side courtyard, with stepping stones and Dichondra grass, surrounds a focal Crape Myrtle tree.
One focal point of the back patio is a 24-foot hand-hammered wrought iron trellis, anchored with a stone wall water feature. We added a pizza oven and barbecue, bistro lights, and hanging flower baskets to complete the intimate outdoor dining space.
Project Details:
Landscape Architect: Greey|Pickett
Architect: Higgins Architects
Landscape Contractor: Premier Environments
Photography: Scott Sandler
authenTEAK Outdoor LivingThis beautiful outdoor space in Atlanta's Virginia Highland neighborhood was designed by Land Plus Associates and constructed by Okun Tech. Outdoor kitchen featuring Kingsley-Bate Valhalla table and Sag Harbor chairs. Appliances by Lynx.
MARK IV Builders, IncThis backyard pool was inaccessible to excavation equipment or a cement truck so everything was dug and hauled using manual labor. The foundation was extended and footings were dug 8 feet because of poor soil conditions.
MARK IV Builders, IncMARK IV Builders removed a small gazebo and built a new entertainment space adjacent to this Bethesda inground pool. The new outdoor kitchen includes covered seating with an outside television. Flagstone lines the floor in the kitchen and on the patio. The pool deck is travertine. The pergola includes pendant lighting and a firepit.
Luxury Traditional Swimming Pool Ideas and Designs
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