schooled in pools

Wow, we have 3 days to finalize our pool bids. We have 3 on the table, 2 we are waiting for finalized specific price. We have been seriously schooled in pools. Here is some of the cool advice we got that is definitely being considered

• Don't do a dark bottomed pool in the woods, you want to be able to see the snakes if one gets in there (point well taken by me).
• Why do a 3-6 ft depth pool? What can you do in 6 ft deep other than tread water? You have to have 8 feet pretty much to dive which our space doesn't really allow, so who has ever heard of a sport pool? Well that is what we are shooting for. It goes from the sun ledge to 3 ft to 4 1/2 feet then the center of the pool is 5-51/2 feet and the other end of the pool goes back up to 41/2 feet. Perfect for volleyball, basket ball and minimal water treading.
• These 1ft deep areas of a pool everyone has a different name for: sun ledge, tanning ledge, mommy ledge, sun deck, lounge area, etc. Whatever it is called, we like it and it is going in! (4th picture is an example)
• Ever heard of scuppers? not me. Basically small shooting off fountains off the raised wall of the pool. Have to decide on scuppers vs/ water trickling down stone veneer wall. (third picture)
• You can add underwater stools, umbrella holders in the sun ledge, volleyball net anchors, and all sorts of craziness to your pool.
• Firepits are really inexpensive for pool guys to do and easy to "trick out" because they are already there with the material and a gas line running near the pool. YAY. I may be more excited about that than the pool.
• Lots more about salt vs. low chlorinated and heaters and lighting etc.

Second picture is a typical modern pool. We are trying to yet again blend modern and functional/natural. This picture although very clean and nice, it is not family functional or fun for entertaining. Plus for our space, it is very natural. So we don't want to overdo it in the sense of huge rocks everywhere and waterfalls but we want to blend clean design with functionality and a modern natural look. (first pic is pool design)

When it all comes down to it, we are super excited about the pool. We feel like this is going to be such a neat place to entertain and raise the kids and them enjoy having friends over. I think it will be a neat element that we can really share with others!

Now just to decide! There is only about a million ways you can go with even the same design!