McHale Landscape Design’s Mike Miller recalls one particular pool renovation in Crownsville, Md., in which space constraints were optimized to create an entirely new aesthetic.
The semi-wooded property featured a house on the water at the end of a long drive. An existing rectangular pool and a modest pool house were the focus of the project, set amidst simple paver walkways and hardscaped steps that punctuated the landscape.
Because of the pre-existing pool, designers had little say in orientation, and the space between the pool house and the pool itself was incredibly tight.
The McHale crew was undeterred. They modified some square footage from the pool house’s kitchen and bathroom, and tore down the screened porch to create a more organic flow to draw guests and visitors in.
Floors were refinished to match the terrace material, so when the doors of the pool house were opened, it felt like an extension of the landscape.
Around the perimeter, various touches were implemented to create a contemporary feel. A state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen was installed, plants were introduced in and around the pool, and a vanishing edge was introduced, featuring a spillway that emptied into spill basin.
“It was a challenge at first,” Miller said, “But that just added to (the excitement) when everything was put into place.”
DIVE DEEPER INTO YOUR IMAGINATION
Miller says many homeowners look out into their yard and see nothing but a small deck and sloped land. Although they hope to use their property in a certain way, they get hung up in not being able to see the potential it offers.
“They’re looking at how they’re using their yard now,” Miller says. “It is hard for them to see what it is going to be like and how it is going to change their lives.”
Custom pool landscaping solutions can help them see the bigger picture.
Like any other part of a home or landscape, the process begins with determining what a client wants and needs. Designers often schedule an initial consultation to find out more about the family.
- How many adults, children, senior citizens are there in the home?
- How does the family like to entertain?
- How much space do they need?
- What is the style of the home?
- What style of pool do they like?
Typically, materials are chosen to best fit the architecture. Wooded lots might call for more rustic features, for example; a diving rock instead of a diving board. The strong, simple lines of modern homes are often mirrored in the pool’s layout and design.
It’s no surprise most families hope to have their pools completed by summertime. Because certain temperatures are required for certain building materials, such as gunite, the ideal time to install a pool lands in the fall or spring seasons when children are still in school and construction does not interfere with day-to-day activities.
Miller suggests that homeowners hoping for some fun in the sun by Memorial Day plan ahead, and schedule their install in the winter.
LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
Far too many landscaping companies employ cookie-cutter techniques to make pool installation as simple as possible for them. They offer limited options, sub out work, and when something goes wrong – everyone involved tends to blame someone else.
McHale uses in-house, turnkey custom pool landscaping solutions. Every step, every stone, every measurement is planned out in advance, ensuring that no compromises are made later on.
So many different elements – from materials to measurements and, of course, money –go into custom pool landscaping solutions. It is important to find a contractor who can do it all.
“We’re problem solvers,” Miller says. “We think ahead.”
Your home’s pool possibilities are virtually endless. Contact a McHale representative today to learn more.