An existing handcrafted natural sandstone pool and terrace provides cool relief in the hot Australian summer. The dramatic view across Pittwater to Lion Island is filtered by palms and Eucalypts - native to the area.

Villa CP

ZEST architecture

Fotografía: Jesús Granada

Two Deer Farm

ADRIAN SMITH - Landscape Architecture

with Douglas Reed Landscape Architecture

Ligntness vs Darkness Transitional Gem in FlowerMound

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

The Lightness vs Darkness theme carries throughout this project including never used materials and details to create this transitional gem in FlowerMound, TX. The axis and cross axis have stunning water and fire feature elements in the asymmetrical design. The black precise stacked slate spillway provides sound and visual effects and contrasts with the fire line burner visible from everywhere inside. This draws you out to enjoy the pool, and a lot more. The pool offered great places to hang out with the tanning ledge and built in bar stools and lots of room for the game of volleyball. The cross axis from the master bedroom draws the eye across the pool, through the black all tile vanishing edge spa, splitting the dual cabanas, through the fire pit, to gaze on the "Dark Planet" starburst light. The cabanas were divided into entertainment and dining. The graphite air slate, from Spain, covered the entertainment floating center and the cooking counter. Ivory Travertine in a stack bond pattern accented the cabanas, porch, fire pit and key areas blending with the coping and some veneers. The cabana steel roof matched the front home entry roof and helps unify the existing home with the additions. Details were important down the lighted and tiled vanishing edge channel for the spa. This project is one to be enjoyed any day of the week but it really is the shiny star every night. Project designed by Mike Farley. Photos by Mike & Laura Farley.

Outdoor / Indoor Recreation

Transitions by Sharon Kleinman

Addition to home in Potomac Maryland. Indoor pool with five lounging areas. Vaulted cieling with spot lighting. Lounge chairs with autumnal color pillows. Photographed by Gwin Hunt

Brick Pool decking and Garden

Johnsen Landscapes & Pools

The brick decking is in a herringbone pattern that creates dynamic interest. The grass strips break up the large expanse. We made sure to include traditional planters to inject some color to the scene.

Sunset Point

D'Asign Source

For the sun and fun seekers there is a pool with a tropical reef mosaic pattern made up of handmade glass tile and swim up bar.

Fairfax Station Luxury Estate in Virginia

Land & Water Design

Our client lives on nine acres in Fairfax Station, VA; he requested our firm to create a master plan to include the following; Custom 3-car garage with apartment above, custom paver motor court for easier egress and ingress, more inviting front door entrance with the new smaller motor court with accent stone walls. The backyard was transformed into the ultimate outdoor living and entertaining area, which includes a large custom swimming pool with four gas fire bowl/water feature combo on stone pedestals, custom spa with Ipe pavilion, rain curtain water feature, wood burning stone fireplace as focal point. One of the most impressive features is the pool/guest house with an underground garage to store equipment, two custom Ipe pergolas flank both sides of the pool house, one side with an outdoor shower, and another sidebar area. With six feet of grade change, we incorporated multiple Fieldstone retaining walls, stairs, outdoor lighting, sprinkler irrigation, and a full landscape plan.

Playa Vista Limestone Pool - Coronado Stone Prouducts

Coronado Stone Products

This beautiful Toll Brothers designed outdoor living space is accented with Coronado Stone Products Playa Vista Limestone / Cream. The gorgeous pool and indoor-outdoor living space is tied together with the unique stone veneer textures and colors. This is the perfect environment to enjoy summertime fun with family and friends!

Custom Swimming Pool at Orchard Hill Model Home in Irvine

Splash Pools & Construction

This beautiful rim flow pool has water at the same level as the surrounding patio, giving a vanishing edge appearance, and has five beautiful spillways along the raised wall. A sunken seating area with fireplace in the pool, adds a unique and uncommon feature, accentuating the luxury feel of this swimming pool. The pool wraps around to the right and includes a raised overflow spa with statement fireplace, located under the patio cover and near the outdoor entertainment area.

Natural Hill Country Multi Level Pools

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

Natural Hill Country Multi Level Recreation and Diving Pools with Oversized Spa. Designed by Mike Farley, constructed by Claffey Pools. Limestone slabs quarried onsite.

Custom Pool Deck

Krugel Cobbles, Inc.

Photo by Linda Oyama Bryan

Edgewater - Nature Inspired Waterfall & Swimming Pool

CAVINESS LANDSCAPE DESIGN, INC.

The homeowner had purchased the home which was exactly what they wanted but they did not like the style of the existing pool, and hired us to come up with a design that would compliment the surrounding woods and style of the home. We removed the existing pool and reconfigured the design to accomodate the entertaining needs of the family. Award winning pool and spa design. An L-Shaped backyard provides the perfect setting for a spa - pool combination. Natural boulder waterfall and a small stream connecting the spa and pool areas give a peaceful environment for the homeowner. Design and Construction by Caviness Landscape Design, Inc. J. Orthwein Photography

391 Argonne Dr

Virtual Studio Innovations

Two Deer Farm

ADRIAN SMITH - Landscape Architecture

with Douglas Reed Landscape Architecture

Mediterranean Pool

Custom Pools ,Spas, Splash Pads and Water Features

Landmark Custom Builder & Remodeling, LLC

Masters of Design 2017 Award Winner

Red Rock Pools and Spas and Red Rock Contractors

Amazing Contemporary Home in Scottsdale AZ. Impressive lautner Edge and Negative Edge Entry feature and Gravity Defying, Acrylic Panel Walled, All Bisazza Glass tile Roof top pool and spa is an example of engineering excellence Photo Credit Michael Duerinckx of INCKX Photography

An elegant lap pool symmetrically extends from the rear patio and upper deck, creating a magnificent view from the Master Bedroom.

Expansive Pool Design Ideas with a Water Feature

Swimming pools are heavenly during hot Australian and New Zealand summers and are the perfect way to cool down, relax, entertain friends and even get fit. A pool can also create visual interest, especially when you consider features like coloured pool tiles, lighting and landscaping. If you are short on space, you might still fit a lap pool, plunge pool or swim spa, all of which could be focal points in your small garden. As you plan your pool design, map out your space and determine what size, shape and style works best for you. Browse the photos on Houzz for design ideas for above ground pools, inground pools, as well as pool landscaping and novelty features like pool slides or water features. Then, save your favourite photos to an ideabook, and get in touch with the experts behind your favourite picks.

What type of pool should I install?

The dimensions of your backyard will determine the type of inground pools you can install. Take into account boundary restrictions and pool fencing compliance. Fibreglass versions are cheaper, and quicker to install; whereas concrete constructions are better suited to tricky sites and give you more freedom in design. If you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to commit to an inground pool, above ground pools are a more affordable alternative. If you only have a small backyard, a plunge pool is a great solution, and can easily run along a boundary wall or down the side of a house. This option is also low maintenance, can be heated for use in winter, and can do double duty as a swim spa. A long, narrow space, on the other hand, could fit a lap pool, whereas a water feature could fill an awkward space. If your backyard features a stunning vista, consider an infinity pool to accentuate the view.

What pool fencing options are available?

While the specifics vary from state to state, fencing is required of most pool designs. However, pool fencing doesn’t have to obscure your pool design. Glass fencing is increasingly popular for this reason exactly, and is available framed, frameless, semi-frameless and even in-ground. A cheaper alternative is aluminium or steel fencing, which, again, are available in a variety of styles: flat top, loop-top, double-top and wire-based.

What pool landscaping features should I consider?

To get the most out of your pool, design an area that offers multiple hangouts. Include a nearby barbecue, dining area, seating for lounging and outdoor shower. Having shaded areas will give you more reason to stay poolside longer, too. Timber decking and stone paving are popular choices for pool surrounds, and are also helpful in creating zones. Just imagine a raised timber platform with a daybed – a luxurious, resort-style addition to any pool design. Leafy trees and rocks will create a more natural-looking oasis, and will help provide more privacy for swimmers. Where you want your landscape to be the main focus, keep pool equipment and furnishings to a minimum.