How to Create the Ultimate Fantasy Pool

Designers Brad Renken and Chris Carter of Hearthstone Environments take you on a tour of a backyard swimming pool project that evolved into something much more creative and whimsical with unexpected amenities like waterfalls and a private grotto with dinosaur wall art.

The challenge facing the designers for this project was creating a pool that blended in naturally with the uneven terrain and sloping backyard. They also designed a pool house/family room that connected two houses, creating one unique residence with a pool that spanned two lots. 

The unique shape of the pool is outlined in stakes revealing the curves and borders that will spotlight specific amenities such as a fire pit or patio area for entertaining and sunbathing.

Most swimming pools need a strong, durable support system which is provided by a steel cage structure (pictured above) and covered by a concrete mortar mixture that serves as the hard outer shell. Think of it as the skeleton of the main pool body.