Pools: Reimagined

Before: Armonk, N.Y.

Challenge: Cracking pool shell

Jamie Scott is a third-generation pool designer for Group Works in Wilton, Conn. His company recently took on this pool in Westchester County, north of New York City.

"The blue lines show where cracking had occurred," Scott says, "but we saved the pool shell. That's not always the case, but this one was salvageable."

He called in a specialist engineer from California to inject epoxy to help meld the cracked surfaces. Next, they sprayed gray plaster onto the concrete and trowelled it to perfect smoothness.

The owners replaced the original Vermont slate surrounding the pool. "It was a popular choice in years past," Scott says, "but it tends to fade noticeably, so it's not being used so much nowadays."

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After: Armonk, N.Y.

Cost: $325,000

Another major structural issue uncovered during the company's survey was a deteriorating retaining wall alongside the pool. Scott brought in boulders to replace the existing wooden wall and added new plants and shrubs to bring vibrancy and color to the pool's surrounding areas. 

"I went with a warm, earth-tone granite to pave around the pool and complete the finished look," says Scott, adding that it came from a Connecticut quarry and has a "slight shimmer."

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Before: Tyler, Texas

Challenge: Dated look

The owners of this East Texas pool wanted to update its look. They called in Michael Nantz, president and founder of Elite Concepts, based in the Dallas area.

With 25 years in architectural design, Nantz says he asks clients if they have kids who use the pool, if the owners entertain around it and what they like about it now.

These owners wanted more of a relaxation area, Nantz says. Elite Concepts decided to create more of a "beach" feel by getting rid of the pool's stairs and using materials that looked more natural.

"This orange brick was popular 20 years ago, but it has a dated look, and the white plaster finish was very stark," Nantz says.

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After: Tyler, Texas

Cost: Just over $100,000, including about $30,000 of stone on the deck

Nantz says he increased the pool's radius slightly and built a ramp into the water using the same sandstone surrounding the pool. "We added things such as the infinity edge to the spa pool to give it a more calming and organic quality," he says.

Nantz worked on the space around the pool, too. "I removed the hedges at the back to take your eye out further," he says. "I've failed as a designer if all you see is the pool. Your eye should be invited to look at the entire environment."

Nantz says the owners are thrilled with the changes and the pool's new and more natural vibe.

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Before: Palestine, Texas

Challenge: Concrete expanse

Nantz and Elite Concepts revamped this pool in the small East Texas town of Palestine.

The original owner's grandson inherited the property and wanted to update the early 1970s pool. Entertaining poolside necessitated the large, flat, featureless concrete area around the water.

"(The owner) wanted to create a more comfortable, intimate space for his family to enjoy and didn't intend to host large gatherings," Nantz says. "I suggested not only a pool renovation, but a lot of changes to the home's surrounds, such as a new lawn to replace that ugly concrete. We also designed new planted areas with steps and walkways that would help bring both the pool area and the house together in a complementary way."

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After: Palestine, Texas

Cost: $200,000

"The pool's original plaster color was wrong," Nantz says. He replaced the light-colored material with a pebble-finish plaster that has a "bit of green in it."

"The owners thought I was crazy," he says. "But a darker finish helps reflect the dramatic skies and this beautiful home and its surroundings."

Nantz kept with the home's Spanish Colonial style by using imported terra cotta tile and painting the poured concrete around the pool a vibrant red.

"It really shocked the clients, until they saw how fantastic it looked," says Nantz, laughing.

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Before: Montego Bay, Jamaica

Challenge: Uninviting area

Brian Van Bower of Aquatic Consultants in Miami oversaw this renovation of a pool and its surroundings.

"The owners wanted to make the swimming pool more inviting as a place to lounge and enjoy the spectacular views," he says. "They also wanted to brighten up the two guest bedrooms below the pool that were a little gloomy and dark."

The first job involved changing the shape of the pool. "Shallow lounging areas are becoming very popular with pool owners," Van Bower says, "so we decided to create new steps into the pool and build up an area in the shallow end just 6 to 8 inches deep that would encourage people to enjoy the water without having to swim."

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After: Montego Bay, Jamaica

Cost: Not available

To brighten the guest bedrooms, Van Bower's created two glass porthole windows that allow light from the pool to shine into the rooms below.

"If there is activity in the water, the light dances in the walls and ceiling," he says.

The designer also added new lighting, new coping — or the top slope of the wall — and  translucent glass tile inside the pool. He also expanded the surrounding deck over the bedrooms and created a new area to enjoy the view and pool. It was a hit, Van Bower says.

"The deck was named after me, the owner was so happy with it," he says.

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Before: Near Stony Creek, Conn.

Challenge: Outdated and underrated

Van Bower and his team brought this pool, on an island off the Connecticut coast, into the 21st century. "The pool didn't live up to the beautiful location or the view," he says. "It looked a bit outdated."

Van Bower says he knew an infinity pool would be perfect in this location. "We could take out the old pool shell and rebuild from scratch, incorporating a mechanism to send overflow back into the pool creating a vanishing edge," he says.

The existing deck also looked bleached-out and weather-beaten, so Van Bower replaced it with ipe, a South American hardwood that is dense and stands up to wear and tear.

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After: Stony Creek, Conn.

Cost: Not available

In a beautiful spot like this, the pool should reflect the landscape. That's why Van Bower chose a darker, exposed aggregate finish for the pool's interior.

"It's a simple thing any owner can do to change the look of the pool," says Van Bower, adding that this surface can run between $4,000 and $12,000 for the average home pool.

The old pool-cover housing had obscured the view. So Van Bower designed one that floats on a water base beneath the deck when not in use. The filtration-and-overflow system, as well as lighting and heating, are controlled by switches by the pool and in the house.

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